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HadEnough's avatar
HadEnough
Explorer
Dec 24, 2018

Worst Case Scenario - Black Water Tank Leaking

Well, the worst has happened.

My black water tank is leaking on my Arctic Fox truck camper . I have been using it on the stands for a bit and I'm sure that's what did it.

I had already detached the fresh water tank for fear it would fall out the bottom (nothing holds it in apart from the truck bed).

The gray water tank has been open the whole time draining out as it is used.

We have been filling and emptying the black water tank though.

Who has replaced their black water tank on their Arctic Fox truck camper?

Any hints? Tips? Tricks? Where to get the replacement?

To be completely honest I've been considering a new RV and this might just be the thing to push me into it.

How bad is this?
  • REAL men don’t fix no stinking black water tank. REAL men buy a new RV.
  • DutchmenSport wrote:
    No, not a dealer, just love to see folks get new campers!

    A, B, C, TT, and 5er are made to travel with full tanks. But sometimes, folks do report tanks falling off. But it is rare. Unless traveling for boondocking, I think most travel with partial filled tanks. Even though they are suppose to be able to be used full, most folks never trust them with that much weight. I also travel with just minimum water. Just enough to flush the toilet when traveling (5 to 10 gallons of water), and try to always dump the black tank before getting on the road. Never had one fall out on me, hope I never do.

    I've heard of folks using JB Weld on ABS plastic and had good success. It's something you might try. But ... if it fails... well... here's your chance to convince the Mrs. it's time for a new camper! :)



    Ha ha ha. Thanks for posting in my thread. You turned it from a stinky worry into something fun and entertaining.

    Thanks to everyone else as well. JB Weld is my first try. I'll post back with results.

    Unfortunately sewage is now all inside the basement and soaked into the insulation. I'm going to have to replace a lot of stuff just to get the stink out.

    I do travel for boondocking and don't pull into a campground often so... I travel with full water and let that go to gray and black until they're getting up there then dump. When in the truck, the 50 gallons water tank does fine. Supported by the bed.
  • No, not a dealer, just love to see folks get new campers!

    A, B, C, TT, and 5er are made to travel with full tanks. But sometimes, folks do report tanks falling off. But it is rare. Unless traveling for boondocking, I think most travel with partial filled tanks. Even though they are suppose to be able to be used full, most folks never trust them with that much weight. I also travel with just minimum water. Just enough to flush the toilet when traveling (5 to 10 gallons of water), and try to always dump the black tank before getting on the road. Never had one fall out on me, hope I never do.

    I've heard of folks using JB Weld on ABS plastic and had good success. It's something you might try. But ... if it fails... well... here's your chance to convince the Mrs. it's time for a new camper! :)
  • Charlie D. wrote:
    Black is probably ABS. Had a leak on my first rig. Used JB Weld and it held for 5 years and still no leak after 5 years



    Wow. That's a pretty good result. It's black.

    I'll take a look and try the jbweld.
  • DutchmenSport wrote:
    HadEnough wrote:
    ...
    How bad is this?


    Oh, it's BAD! ;) Real bad! :D So bad, you REALLY should consider a new camper now! :B I think your old one has seen it's better days and now only doom and gloom are foreshadowed in it's future. :@

    So, seize the moment there my friend and just do it! :E

    Once is over, you'll so glad you did! :)

    Um... about fixing it? um ... I have no idea. :(



    Not sure if you're a dealer trying to get me in to buy? Lol

    I have some problems. Black water tank, slide broken, all cabinet doors have needed fixing, no shelves in the closets, don't like the settee and need a couch.

    I was thinking of getting a new RV anyway but I'll try the fix in place as soon as I can get into the bottom of the TC and pull it all apart.

    Noob question. Are there RVs that have the tanks built in well enough to drive with them full? Truck campers? Class C or B+?
  • Black is probably ABS. Had a leak on my first rig. Used JB Weld and it held for 5 years and still no leak after 5 years
  • Do you know where the tank is leaking? Possibly you can make the repairs without dropping the tank.

    I would definitely try to repair the tank before you buy a new one.
  • HadEnough wrote:
    ...
    How bad is this?


    Oh, it's BAD! ;) Real bad! :D So bad, you REALLY should consider a new camper now! :B I think your old one has seen it's better days and now only doom and gloom are foreshadowed in it's future. :@

    So, seize the moment there my friend and just do it! :E

    Once is over, you'll so glad you did! :)

    Um... about fixing it? um ... I have no idea. :(
  • There are repair kits on Amazon, depending on the type of plastic. Some have slapped on eternabond tape for a temp fix. And there is plastic welding. I'd look at the options before buying a new tank, especially if you are thinking of upgrading the unit.