Black water tank replacement or repair

[JMDancoe]

This is actually Jim JMDancoe on my brother's page. Have any of you ever repaired or replaced a Black water (sewage) tank in an RV? If so, here are my questions. First, can these tanks be repaired? I have heard both yes and no, due to the type of plastic used. I have an antique (like me) 1990 Jayco travel trailer and the tank is broken right where the drain pipe is attached to the tank. If they can't be repaired, that is ok, I was just curious. Second, I have looked on line and found several replacement tanks. My problem there is: None of them show the inlet opening location, only the outlet or drain location. How do I connect the toilet to it? Is there a kit or something and I have to cut in the opening? Any replies will be appreciated.

Jim

 

[redbone]

that black water tank can be welded I had a guy come out & welded mine

 

[JMDancoe]

Thanks redbone. Any idea on how to attach the toilet to a new tank? Do you have to cut the hole and get some sort of kit to install it? I am not sure which way I will go, new or repair, yet. In a way, I am restoring this oldie. If I figure out how to post pictures on here, I will post what a disaster this "oldie" has turned out to be and why anyone who has a travel trailer should never let any leak go unattended. The previous owner hid the damage and I am now fixing that as well. The rear of the trailer looks like a grenade went off in it. Massive repairs in process. Thanks again for your reply.

 

[TLane]

There's a thread about 5 threads down where a guy repaired his:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?243420-Holding-Tank-source

I think new tanks are solid on top and you cut a hole in the proper location with a hole saw, and glue on an adapter to pipe up to the toilet. A good RV service/parts place should be able to help you with that. There should also be an adapter for a vent.

 

[JMDancoe]

TLane... . Thank you for that. I was wondering, as I have never done anything with RV black or freshwater tanks. I was considering repairing the old one, but have heard from a few sources that the plastic doesn't allow many types of glue or sealer to adhere to it, properly. My brother and I discussed plastic welding, as "Redbone" suggested, but there is no one up here in the mountains of Colorado that we know of that does plastic welding. We both can weld steel but have never attempted plastic. We are still considering that, as we can get the rod and stuff to do it ourselves. I think I will end up going with a new tank and then see if we can weld the old one for future necessity should his or my RV require it. Thanks again. If we do weld it, and maybe even the installation of a new one, I will try to post pictures and any info as to what to use and how to do it.

 

[redbone]

the guy that did my tank said it is just as good as new if you want I can get his phone number for you so you can talk to him your self

 

[JMDancoe]

Thanks redbone! I have decided (I think) to go with new, but may still want to talk to the guy who did yours. John and I may want to fix the old one for the experience, just in case we need to do another repair to either his or my RV. I am going to try and post another thread on the risk of buying a used RV from an unknown (to you) party. It will also serve to make fellow RV'ers to pay attention to the possibility of any and all potential leaks in the roof of theirs. I got suckered on this one (I blame no one but me). I just should have spent more time checking it out closer than I did.

 

[CBari]

JMDancoe the repair is way to easy when consider the cost of the new tanks in my opinion. If you have questions about the repair send me a message. The black plastic that the tanks are made out of is ABS Plastic and is very repairable when the right products are used. The plasi-mend product was about $45. Check out their web site. http://www.plasti-mend.com/

 

[JMDancoe]

CBari: Thank you for your reply and input. Because of the response I have had referencing repair as opposed to replacement, I am definitely going to research this further. today was a very busy day for me, so as of yet, I have not had the time to check out Plasti-mend, but I will in the next day or two. I don't know if you have seen my other post on here, or not. It is about the purchasing of a travel trailer from a private party unknown to you and the need to please be aware of and immediately repair any and all water leaks you even think you have. There is so much to do with this wreck, I am a little overwhelmed at the moment.

 

[SSteilow]

CBari: Thank you for your reply and input. Because of the response I have had referencing repair as opposed to replacement, I am definitely going to research this further. today was a very busy day for me, so as of yet, I have not had the time to check out Plasti-mend, but I will in the next day or two. I don't know if you have seen my other post on here, or not. It is about the purchasing of a travel trailer from a private party unknown to you and the need to please be aware of and immediately repair any and all water leaks you even think you have. There is so much to do with this wreck, I am a little overwhelmed at the moment.

JMDancoe, Thank you for the posting in the other thread. I read it and was surprised (Picture) at the damages. :--)
I am new to the TDR forum researching to buy a Truck and 5th Wheel or TC for retirement to travel.
Thanks for the warning to beware of any hidden damage from a private owner. Good luck in your repairs.
Scott

 

[JMDancoe]

SSteilow: Thanks for your reply to this post, Welcome to TDR, and hopefully we will meet up out there on the road one day. I retired in December of 2006. I was hoping to be out full timing before now, but have had a few setbacks including the damage to this trailer. I don't mean to blemish decent people, who, for whatever reason are selling their used RV's. My brother and his wife bought a used travel trailer and it is a nice unit. I am sure that, if you exercise more caution than I did and talk with others here on TDR, you will probably not have the problems facing me. I tend to trust people more than I should. If it were not for the very obvious "hidden, Quickie" repairs I wouldn't feel as I do, and would chalk it up to bad luck and figure that they had no idea about the damage either. However this was definitely a cover up job. You are now a member of a great bunch of people here on TDR. Ask, and they will gladly help advise you and direct you to the right people, services and products. I assume you have a Dodge Diesel. If not, well..... welcome anyway:-laf. We forgive you!

 

[ed9824v]

I had my white water tank plastic welded but I found this guy by accident he fixed car headlights and the repair was at the bottom of a 120 gallon tank been in for a year and working great but had to remove the tank. that would not have come out if I did not already put the springs on top of the axles earlier or the entire axles would have had to be removed. $50 for that not counting my labor. One place that I could find in all of So. Calif.

 

[redbone]

my wife & I were full time rves for 25 years when I retired in 2004 we bought a house & that was the biggest mistake I ever made should have stayed full timing in the rv also we have a 2010 dodge 2500 td which they will have to fight me for

 

[JMDancoe]

ed9824v and redbone: I think plastic welding is something both my brother and I are going to take up as we both now have Travel Trailers. My fresh (white) water tank was sitting where the hole in the bedroom floor is. luckily, the heavy gauge plastic under lining kept it from dropping out. As I get farther into this, I am somewhat amazed at how well this thing was built, for being mostly 2x2 wood and aluminum construction. It did last 23 years and is in this shape now, only because of very poor maintenance. Sorry to hear redbone, that you and yours got out of full timing. that is exactly what I am trying to get to do. Thanks for the replies, Jim

 

[CharlesHoward]

Plasti-mend worked well for my Grey Tank cracks.