Repair/Replace Fresh Water Tank 1995 23.5RL

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Repair/Replace Fresh Water Tank 1995 23.5RL

June 24, 2019, 02:26:49 pm

On Mother's Day while traveling across South Dakota, we blew 2 tires. The tires damaged the Fresh Water Tank in the rig. Appears to have pushed the wheel well into the drain valve/pipe which loosened the pipe connection. Probably split the tank where the pipe is installed. It actually appears to have a 3" x 4" patch in that area where the pipe connects...not sure it that is standard OEM or if it is a previous repair.

I have tried several different ways to stop the leaks...epoxy, eternabond, even the dreaded flex tape....all failed. The area in question is extremely difficult to get to. Barely enough room to get your arm/hand up there.

1. Looking for any suggestions on better repair ideas.
2. Does anyone know what is involved in removing the fresh water tank for either a better repair experience or to replace the tank entirely? It is a 1995 23.5RL. The tank is near/under the range and cabinets in the kitchen.

Thank you in advance.

Jeff & Lora Hunt

Re: Repair/Replace Fresh Water Tank 1995 23.5RL

Reply #1 – June 24, 2019, 03:58:05 pm

Rear tire blow outs can do a lot of damage. Wonder is one tire went flat, undetected, overloading the other tire?
Might be time for a TPMS.

We need to know what floor plan you have, there isn't a 23.5' Rear Lounge, listed in the 1995 Factory brochure.
The Twin/King has a rear lounge but the water tank is forward, under the sink.
A Multi-Plan does have its tank near the wheel well. Not sure how to remove it but the Mothership does.
Give them a call on how to remove and if replacements are still available.
Besides replacement, the old tank may be repairable with hot air welding, something you should have done at a shop that specializes in the repair and/or fabrication of blown polyethylene tanks.
Look for plastic fabricators and plastic shops in your area. Some RV shops can repair tanks.
If you want to give hot air welding a shot, Harbor Freight sells a kit. I have not tried using one, so no recommendation.
https://www.harborfreight.com/plastic-welding-kit-with-adjustable-temperature-96464.html

Larry

Re: Repair/Replace Fresh Water Tank 1995 23.5RL

Reply #2 – June 24, 2019, 04:24:32 pm

Because this is fresh water (potable water) you want to repair it with materials meant for fresh water (potable water) and won’t leech toxins into your water. None of the materials you mentioned are made for potable water leaks.
At this point I would encourage taking the entire tank and pipes out and replacing any damaged areas completely - unless you know for sure you didn’t get any of these materials near any cracked or torn spots in the plumbing where the materials could leech into the tank.

For future issues for someone to see what is going on in a tight space I have used:
— A phone camera on video and recorded as much area as possible with slow panning around. It often take few tries getting better pictures as you figure out what is where.
— An inspection scope (camera on the end of a long skinny tube). There are models that use your phone as a screen I believe as well as ones that have their own screen. It works best if you follow a pipe to the tank so you have a reference what’s you are looking at. Get one with a light at the camera end as it makes a big difference. It can be difficult to figure out what you are seeing as we don’t look at things from the view the camera sees so light and following a known thing like a pipe or wire helps give us context,

Jane

Re: Repair/Replace Fresh Water Tank 1995 23.5RL

Reply #3 – June 24, 2019, 05:44:01 pm

Hi Larry, and Jeff; The TK tank drain is just forward of the driver side duals. So your floor plan is the TK. It would take massive disassembly to get to the fresh water tank. The sink, stove/oven, cabinet doors and face frame would have to come out. Also the power cord, propane line, and drawers with water pump. The factory would be my choice for a painless fix, except for writing the check.
Looking at my motorhome, the fresh water tank is above the floor, pretty far away from the rear duals. Only the drain line, standard PVC, goes through the floor. It would be more likely the gray water tank would be affected by a double blowout. That tank is hung on under the floor and is just forward of the wheels. There are no tanks and little plumbing near the passenger side duals.
I can't see the top of the fresh water drain line where it attaches to the tank. RonB

Re: Repair/Replace Fresh Water Tank 1995 23.5RL

Reply #4 – June 24, 2019, 06:08:42 pm

"So your floor plan is the TK. It would take massive disassembly to get to the fresh water tank. The sink, stove/oven, cabinet doors and face frame would have to come out. Also the power cord, propane line, and drawers with water pump. The factory would be my choice for a painless fix, except for writing the check."
----
I have a TK, and I agree with Ron's opinion of getting a factory repair.

I also suggest figuring out why your rig blew two tires. $:-\$

Re: Repair/Replace Fresh Water Tank 1995 23.5RL

Reply #5 – June 25, 2019, 01:14:15 am

Quote from: Jane and Scott - June 24, 2019, 04:24:32 pm

Because this is fresh water (potable water) you want to repair it with materials meant for fresh water (potable water) and won’t leech toxins into your water.

With hot air welding, the welding rod used is the same material as the tank, so it's a safe repair.
I would assume the counter top probably needs to be removed to get the fresh water tank, if it is a T/K..
As Ron point out, it's possible one the holding tanks is damage, is so, they are easier to removed.
Posting a few photos would aid us in sorting this out.

Larry

Re: Repair/Replace Fresh Water Tank 1995 23.5RL

Reply #6 – June 25, 2019, 01:36:35 am

Larry, I agree the folks you suggested would use materials good for potable/fresh water. They deal with that material so would know their stuff.
Jane

Re: Repair/Replace Fresh Water Tank 1995 23.5RL

Reply #7 – June 25, 2019, 02:03:48 am

I just took a look at our 89 TK. Our fresh water tank inlet (outside - where we fill the fresh water tank) is directly above our grey water tank gate (empty valve). This inlet is close to the center (back to front of LD center) of our fresh water tank. The outlet to drain the fresh water tank, in our rig, from memories of last time we mucked with it, is under the LD close to the vertical line of the fresh water tank inlet.

The back tires are just behind (towards the rear of the coach) the grey tank area. So I would also guess it might be the grey water tank that got damaged as in my rig at least that is closer to the tire wheel well.

Though the outlet pipe and outlet valve of the fresh water might have gotten damaged if it is in this general area as ours is, in newer LDs - I am not sure which year it changed - the outlet for the fresh water is in a bay instead of under the rig.

Jane

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