Capt Skup
Southern Maryland/Nantucket
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Joined: 05/14/2004
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Funny you should be having the same problem I just went through. Crack in the poop tank. Of course it could not have happened in the gray water tank. I tried the patch kits marketed for repairing holding tanks. Don't bother buying one, it was useless for a repair to the bottom of the tank while the tank was installed(think gravity). And being way too cheap to fork over the money for a new tank, and not wanting to loose my camper at the height of the season(if it ever will quit raining), or pay so much for labor I decided to fix it myself. I went down to West Marine and bought a sheet of glass fiber($6.00) and a West System two part epoxy kit. West Systems sells a two part(easy 50/50 mixture) flexible when cured kit. I pulled the tanks, cleaned and sanded the surface, used a propane torch to "flame" the surface(as per the directions), mixed up the epoxy(it gives you plenty of work time), applied it along the stop drilled crack, than saturated a sheet of glass big enough to overlap the crack 3" on each side, followed by two more layers of saturated glass, squeegeeing out any air. I let it air dry in the sun and the following day reinstalled the tank. Leak checked it twice, no leaks. My out of pocket expenses once I knew what to buy($26.00). Hardest part of the project was reconnecting the stink pipe that goes from the tank to the roof vent. I had to cut both the stink pipe and the pipe from the toilet to the poop tank but all I had to do was get the correct size adapters from Ace and reconnect the pipe with the appropriate primer/glue for ABS pipe. Figure I saved myself at least $300 doing it myself. I do recommend you flush the tank about 20 times to hopefully remove all the solids or you are going to get real acquainted with them during the repair.
This job in nothing a do-it-yourselfer cannot handle, though those with weak stomachs stay upwind and never lay directly under the crack.
Capt Skup
AD-1(AW)USNRet.
Wonderful Wife,3 Daughters,2Goldens Gus&Riley
"Never get in a battle of wits with an unarmed man"
F-450 Lariat 4x4
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sljkansas
Miami Co. Kansas
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Joined: 09/28/2005
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All-rite also has tanks along woth alot of other hard to find parts.
Steve & Linda
Son married (1 DIL, 3 granddaughters 1 grandson)
Daughter Can now be called a Teacher.
Miami CO. Kansas
2004 F350 CC dually 8ft bed 6.0 PSD
2009 Bighorn 3670RL
B&W under bed hitch with 18k companion hitch
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skipper
Louisville KY USA
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Joined: 05/19/2001
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CleanDiesel wrote:Folks,
I've got a large crack in my 5'ers dump tank (black). It doesn't look too hard to repair, but Camping World (CW) and some RV stores have been USELESS so far in locating one or ordering something. Are these tanks fairly standard or am I expecting too much?
The tank seems to have flanges on it. One flange side is held up by the frame, and the other by some box tubing steel that is just bolted to the frame on the other side. SO in other words, it doesn't really matter how long the tank is (25" or so in my case), the box steel could be removed and placed anywhere...
But where to find a good replacement blank tank? I am on the road in Hot Springs, Arkansas right now.
Thanks RVers...
CleanDiesel Large crack ;;;; how large . where is the crack ,will the tank have to be droped to repair it .Or can it be repaired in place after dumping and cleaning it out and venting it to remove any fumes chemical or you know what. You may be able to weld it your self with a plastic welding kit from Harbor freight tools for under 70.dollars U.S. plastic from the flange or a black garbage can or lid cut in strips for welding sticks can be used (test if best) to find the correct match .The just under (one cent) 70.dollar unit is self contained heater blower no compresser needed .With a little practice ,on scrap you should be ready to tackle the job if you want to save money .and or help others. Skipper entry level over fiftysix years.
99 DCTD 3500 5spd quad line-x Pac-brake. boost,egt,fuel gauges /26ft 95 American star 5thwheel w/1slide
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thomhack
central florida
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Joined: 12/10/2006
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Had a similar experience with my new Jayco in '05. 1300 miles into a 6000 mile trip. Camping World was not any help...and Jayco wasn't about to ship a new tank to me while on the road. Went without shower or toilet in the fiver for the duration (on my rig the shower drains into the black tank)of the trip. My local dealer and Jayco fixed it back at home.
What I learned is to never tow with anything in the black tank, since my tank fell victim to a bad stretch of Interstate.
Hope you are able to resolve your problem.
2005 Jayco Jay Flight 27.5 bhs, 2005 f-250 power stroke diesel,
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CleanDiesel
Norton, Ohio
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Joined: 06/19/2007
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Gents,
I have decided to try the fiberglass / epoxy method if I can't find a plastic welder. The crack is over 1 foot long and on the very bottom center of the tank. Can someone please tell me how to "stop drill the crack". Am I guessing correctly that this is something done to prevent the crack from getting larger on the ends?
I am now in San Antonio, Texas and will be heading further west in a few days. There is a West Marine here. THANK YOU ALL for the ideas and help.
TV: 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4 Dually 6.7L Cummins Auto w/3.73s & Prodigy 
TT: 1995 Damon Escaper 5'er 36RLB
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Gunpilot77
Killeen, Tx
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Joined: 10/06/2000
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Yes, stop drilling is just drilling a hole at each end of the crack.
Good luck.
Fifth wheel pulled with a pick-up
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cwit
Upstate New York
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Joined: 07/20/2008
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The tank you discribed is sold by crossroads a Thor product.
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CleanDiesel
Norton, Ohio
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Joined: 06/19/2007
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Gents,
Just an update here. After the tank has dried out over the last couple days, I was more willing to take an "up close" look at the tank again. Its much worse than I thought. The crack is up around the side of the tank as well as the long crack on the bottom. Also the area around the dump gate fitting is involved. This tank is toast.
I spoke with an RV repair place in San Antonio that advertised plastic welding work. He stated that he would not attempt a repair on a tank with a crack over 4-5 inches. He said the moment that heat is applied that the crack just gets bigger and worse if is too large.
Thanks to all for your tips and suggestions - you have been great as usual. It seems that it is just not in the cards for me to have a nice cross-country vacation with the family without something major breaking. Last year it was the hydraulic cylinder on the main slide out. This year I can't poop in my RV.
You know, it isn't affecting us as much as I thought it would. There are plenty of restrooms along the way and every campground has a bathroom / showerhouse. Its a nuisance, but not a show stopper by a long shot.
CleanDiesel
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Beach-House 4
Long Island,N.Y.
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Joined: 04/15/2004
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Are you keeping the black valve closed when flushing this will pressurize the tank and crack it the valve must be open when flushing.
2007 KZ Montego Bay 30KSB3,B&W Companion Hitch,Prodigy BC,5th Airborne pinbox/2006 3500 DW D/A CC,Longbed,4x4.
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charlan
On. ca
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Joined: 03/02/2004
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You could buy a plastic weld kit and do it yourself.
Plastic weld kits
2008 LMM GMC 3500 SLT 4X4 HD LB Duramax 6.6 Turbo Diesel Dually Hijacker 4 Way Pivot, Integrated controler,
2004 Prowler Regal Advantage AX6 36.5 FLTS
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