If anyone knows how these tanks are made, I'd appreciate your input that might help solve this leak for me. I have 2 grey tanks. One has started to leak. It holds water from my bathroom sink, tub and washer/dryer.
I drained all my tanks one at a time, black first. The drip was still coming from under my 5er after the black. Then I drained one of the grey tanks. The drip stopped. I drained the other grey. I removed the cover from under my 5er at the front, then turned on the bathroom faucets and the washer. After about 15 minutes I saw drips from what looks to me like the seam at the front between the tank and the 5er frame.
At the tank corners, they are butted right up against the frame. In the middle, there is a more pronounced space between the tank plastic and the metal frame.
Are tanks open at the top and use the frame to close them up? I have some epoxy that may solve the problem, but I am also thinking about just leaving that valve open for the rest of my trip and getting it to a shop once I get back home. That'll be another 6 weeks.
2011 GMC 3500 Dually
New to me 2006 Jayco Designer 38RDQS
2 Boxers and a Maine Coon
I had to have my fresh water tank plastic welded at the bottom and it has held for the last 6 mo. holding 115 gallons of water the trick is to fine one in your area, and to get it out.
Ed So.Calif
1950 Ford F1 street rod
1968 Baha Bug with 2.2 ecotec motor 170 hp, kingcoil
2000 National Sea Breeze 5th wheel trailer
1998.5 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins,4.10 gears,turbo,trans,injectors,oil cooler,lockers,edge EZ, 35" BFG's, air dog lift pump etc.
IF you are sure it's from grey tank,
IF you are not going to be traveling with liquid in tank and
IF you will have sewer hook up while camping.......I would leave that tank drain valve open while hooked up to sewer at CG site and then deal with repairs/replacement after getting back home.
Tanks are fully enclosed........not open on top.
Drain fittings & vent fittings can be glued in and/or use rubber grommets depending on tank mfg.
The tank old-biscuit showed was ABS. Easier to repair as most epoxy will adhere. Most gray water tanks are Polyethylene and it is difficult to get anything to stick. I have seen some stuff at Home Depot that says it will stick to Poly. but I can't remember the name.
If you have some Eternabond tape, it should get you through your trip and may become a permanent repair it you can get it applied properly. If no Eternabond, try some Gorilla Tape on a dry surface.
Good Luck
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Native Texan
The RV Holding tansk are all constructed from FDA approved polyetheylene or plastic to an approved size and shape to fit the RV trailer needs. They will have various outlets and fittings as required by your trailer manufacture. The Wall thickness probably varies from 1/4"-3/8".
I would not rule out hose failure or loose fittings. Mice and squirrels love that stuff... You will need to get a real close look at what is dripping before deciding it is the actual waste tank leaking.
Good luck...
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - PM me Roy and Carolyn
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RoyB wrote: I would not rule out hose failure or loose fittings. Mice and squirrels love that stuff... You will need to get a real close look at what is dripping before deciding it is the actual waste tank leaking.
It could be a leak at more than one place. When the washer is running, there is a drip from a second spot. That just started a day or 2 ago. I noticed the other drip about a week ago. I think the freezing temps in Colorado at that time may have caused it.
I think I'll just leave that valve open when hooked up and see how it goes. If I have no problems, I may just run with it forever...or until I get a new 5er.
I figure fixing it will run me about $500 for parts and labor. The parts estimate is based on the link to PPL's replacement tank page...even though my tank isn't one of the 8 shown on another link.
At least it isn't the black tank. And I can always flush that and the hose a few times with just fresh water before leaving a CG.
Here is another source for tanks, probably less expensive, and more from a direct manufacture. Tank-Depot.com
They might have advice in fixing the tank. The tanks are made in a hot steel mold, by rotating the mold while melted plastic is injected into the mold, the thing is rotated in all directions, so the "Bottom" is coated with plastic, while it rotates to make all sides the bottom for a few seconds at a time. This gives a somewhat universal 1/4" coating of plastic all over inside the mold.
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