Servicing Your Airstream Basecamp® Plumbing System

One of the perks of traveling with your Airstream Basecamp®, as opposed to throwing a tent in your car and hitting the road, is access to a reliable water source. Not only can you know that you’re getting fresh water every time you turn on the faucet, but you can also know that your bathroom and sinks are clean (which in some of those campground bathrooms, can be a bit of a gamble). The key to ensuring you can continue to rely on your plumbing system is taking good care of it. 

That’s why we here at Airstream of Utah have provided some of the top tips for servicing your water pipes to set you on the right track. Check them out for yourself, and contact us at our location in Salt Lake City, Utah, serving Park City and Provo, for more information on our Airstream Basecamp trailers for sale!

How it All Works

First, it can be helpful to know how your plumbing system works in order to follow some of our tips. All of your water comes from a freshwater tank that you can either fill before you reach your destination, or if there are full hookups on site, you can connect to a water supply.

As you use water in your Basecamp, and that water goes down the drain, it’ll go to one of two places. Anything that gets flushed down the toilet goes into the blackwater tank. Everything else, including shower water and sink water, goes into the greywater tank. These holding tanks need to be emptied and cleaned periodically to maintain a good, well-functioning system.

Grab Your Owner’s Manual

You’ll find all this information in your owner’s manual, which is going to be an essential resource as you’re working on your Airstream Basecamp. If you don’t have your owner’s manual, or can’t remember where you put it, head to the Airstream® website to download a copy.

Draining the Tanks

Whether your holding tanks are full or you’re looking to pause your camping trips for a while, you’ll need to be prepared to drain the tanks when appropriate. All drains are located below the trailer. 

To drain the freshwater tank, open all faucets and then open the corresponding valve under the trailer. You can also use a self-contained water pump, although make sure you disconnect once the tank is empty. Your water heater also has a drain valve, but you’ll need to be careful in order to avoid scalding yourself.

To drain the holding tanks, you’ll need to locate a dump site. Test your sewage hose with freshwater first to detect leaks before you start the draining process.

Connect the sewage hose to the combined sewage tank valve (which funnels both black and greywater waste into one outlet) and the sewer outlet. Only when you’re sure this connection is secure should you open the valves and allow the tanks to drain. 

Note: only empty these tanks when they’re almost full. This is the best way to ensure each is properly and thoroughly emptied.

Sanitization

In general, sanitizing your Airstream Basecamp plumbing system should take place before and after storage, or twice a year, if you camp through the winter. Use a small amount of bleach (as specified in your manual) combined with your water supply and then flush it through the system. Let this solution sit in the pipes for about 4 hours before thoroughly washing it out completely. Drain the freshwater tank, refill, then flush one more time for good measure.

Storage and Cold Weather Tips

If you’re storing your Basecamp for the winter, make sure you add antifreeze to the plumbing system to avoid freezing and cracking as the temperatures drop. 

If you’re going to continue traveling during the winter, you’ll need to turn on the heat pads that surround the freshwater tank and holding tanks (these can be activated using the switch at the bottom of the roadside cabinet next to the fridge). We recommend only using these when the temperature outside drops to below freezing and then turning them off again when the threat has passed. You can also add antifreeze to your holding tanks for additional protection.

The plumbing system in your Airstream Basecamp has a lot of moving parts, but plumbing maintenance is an essential part of keeping your trailer running properly, so make sure you’re taking the extra steps to care for it. If you need additional servicing that’s going to require a professional technician’s expertise, contact Airstream of Utah in Salt Lake City. We’ll patch you through to our service department and get you set up with a servicing appointment today! We’re also happy to help all those from Park City and Provo.