Forum Discussion

vjstangelo's avatar
vjstangelo
Explorer
Sep 13, 2015

Cracked black water tank

We purchased our 2505 Frontier in 2003 brand new. This camper is not a sitter, we use it probably 2 months a year. It has been to Yellowstone 5x rt from VA, as recently as this summer.

Anyway, while camping over labor day, I noticed a strong sewer smell under the camper, black tank cracked about 12in long.

I fixed by fiberglassing the crack rather than pulling the tank.

We are camping at Hershey this weekend. Hopefully the repair will hold.

8 Replies

  • mhardin's avatar
    mhardin
    Explorer
    Sep 14, 2015
    I repaired a crack in my grey water tank with fiberglass mat and JB Weld rather than fiberglass resin.
  • vjstangelo's avatar
    vjstangelo
    Explorer
    Sep 14, 2015
    We'll see how long the repair holds. I've found fiberglass is pretty remarkable stuff. I used quite a bit of resin and it "looks" robust.

    If it fails, I'll probably just bring to my local RV dealer and let him replace it with a new tank.
  • Gene_Ginny's avatar
    Gene_Ginny
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2015
    If the tank is ABS (most are) then the only thing that will permanently repair it is ABS cement. The ABS cement will soften the ABS and then harden into a permanent weld.

    I found that out when me "new to me" trailer had a crack in the grey water drain pipe which is ABS. The repair is invisable and has lasted over 10 years.
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    Sep 13, 2015
    great have fun, amazing the products we can buy and fix things with, sounds like your in good shape.
  • vjstangelo's avatar
    vjstangelo
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2015
    Well, no didn't stop drill. But, I extended the fiberglass a few inches past the terminus of the crack.

    Time will tell if this works.
  • GMandJM's avatar
    GMandJM
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2015
    Good catch. It could have turned out alot worse had you not seen it before it was un-fixable.

    Let us know how your repair holds up. I always wonder if a repaired black tank can be fully "trusted".

    Have fun at Hershey.
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    Sep 13, 2015
    before you fixed the crack, did you drill a hole at each end of the crack? drilling a hole at the end of a crack will stop the crack from going farther.
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Sep 13, 2015
    Good move with the repair. Did you 'stop drill' the tank before the repair?

    Let us know how it holds up. I'm guessing you won't have any problems.

    Enjoy the Hershey RV Show.

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