Black Tank Explosion

[drillagent]

My parents have a 2003 Excel 5th wheel that they are living in while they rebuild their house that was destroyed during the Joplin tornado. The other day they heard what sounded like an explosion that shook the rig. Dad later found out that the black tank split across the top the full length of the tank. So now my question to you is, what would cause a blank tank to do that and is it repairable or does it need to be replaced? The trailer is basically set permanently because they don't have a truck to move it with. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[rockintom]

I've got some experience with Excels having owned 3. First, the most likely thing that happened was the tank flusher was left running with the black gate closed and it overfilled the tank. This unit will split the seam out near the top of the tank (especially with age). The bad news is that on these earlier year Excels the tanks (black and grey) are no longer available and the fix is to go to a later model tanks which requires refabricating the mounting hardware that retains the tanks. It requires both grey and black tanks be replaced as a set. A friend just did that at the tune of $2,600. If the tank is split at the seam, repairs to the tank are not viable. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but had to share my experience on this subject. rockin'

[Shepherd]

Replace the tank.:C

[colliehauler]

Just a guess on my part, are they using electric heat instead of the RV furnace? If so there is no heat going to where you tanks are at water, grey, and black. This could damage all the plumbing in this bitter cold we have been having in the midwest.

[Aridon]

If its going to sit I would just bypass the tank. Flush with plenty of water and you should be fine.

[rtz549]

Only things I can think of either the tank froze or the vent is plugged. Either leave it, replace it, or weld it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=plastic+welder

[laknox]

Drillagent, could the tank have =imploded= during draining? Clogged vent could cause that, too. As cold as it is, gas build-up from bacterial action is a tad unlikely. Not saying that it couldn't happen... At the same time, the tank could have just had a bad seam and split from the weight if it was near-full. Maybe a mount or two could have broken and allowed the tank to flex, putting pressure on the seam. I do agree that, since the tank will have to be removed anyway, a new tank is probably the best way to go. Even if you weld the old tank, you're still fixing an 11 or 12 year old tank.

Lyle

[Dayle1]

oldmattb wrote:
Is the RV hooked to a septic system? Unless they plan to travel with it, they could bypass the tank entirely.

Matt B

Would also require a std. residential toilet to properly flush the solids. Then there is no need to hassle with dumping and flushing the black tank. When their house is finished and the trailer is no longer needed, then the RV toilet and new black tank can be re-installed and the residential toilet moved to the rebuilt house.

[workhardplayha1]

Normally we ask for pictures of the problem but in this case no thanks.

[steelpony5555]

The tanks themselves are not very expensive but the labor to install is. The bill to replace my gray tank was $1000 but I think the tank was like $165, Extended warranty handled it. Since Montana's are know for their tanks bursting here is what a lot of folks use and claim it holds up very well

Plasti-mend

[aruba5er]

Eterna ?Bond, that stuff sticks to everything. No matter what you do, it has to be removed. then you might as well get a new tank.

[Ed9824v]

">weld is working not pretty but wanted it strongIf the trailer is new enough to replace the tank that is the way to go. IF NOT THEN it can be plastic welded. I could not find a close replacement for my 2000 Sea Breeze so I took an old big soldier iron that my dad gave me and welded on a stainless plate and soldier up the 115 gallon tank that was split at the seam.

[rtazz17]

oldmattb wrote:
Is the RV hooked to a septic system? Unless they plan to travel with it, they could bypass the tank entirely.

Matt B

Is that possible? If you bypass completely solids will get plugged up in hose to sewer.Unless im missing something you cant bypass the tank,you need the water of the tank to stop solids from turning to cement.

My guess from your description it was a vent that was blocked and gases caused the "explosion" sound.If it froze I believe it wouldnt have sounded so much like an explosion.
Personally I wouldnt want to repair a black tank if it split down the entire top.I would replace.

[paulcardoza]

You're going to have to remove it in either case, so I would suggest replacing it.

[oldmattb]

Is the RV hooked to a septic system? Unless they plan to travel with it, they could bypass the tank entirely.

Matt B