Community Forums

Don Mac · 07-18-2006, 02:35 PM

To those who may have done this. While dumping my black water tank I closed the valve and left the flushing hose connected to the RV. The hose was ON. You guessed it !!!!! The black water tank became so full that the lip holding it in place broke off and split the top.This caused the contents to spill out and collapse the insulation and underbelley. Upon further observation it was seen that the tank is held in place by a 2" lip on both sides of the tank. This lip is,on one side, placed on top of the frame. The other side has a removable piece that is bolted the full length under the other lip holding the tank in place. The tank is held in place by these lips. No straps under the tank. In reading other situations of this nature someone asked why the water did not go up the vent pipe and not burst the tank. It is my belief that the water in the tank became so heavy that it caused the lip on the tank to fail. I have observed first hand where the lip broke off. Has anyone had this happen lately. Will cost $2000.00 to have new tank and underbelley installed. Am talking to insurance co at this time. Just a warning..pay attention when dumping...I did not !!

Don Mac · 07-18-2006, 02:35 PM

To those who may have done this. While dumping my black water tank I closed the valve and left the flushing hose connected to the RV. The hose was ON. You guessed it !!!!! The black water tank became so full that the lip holding it in place broke off and split the top.This caused the contents to spill out and collapse the insulation and underbelley. Upon further observation it was seen that the tank is held in place by a 2" lip on both sides of the tank. This lip is,on one side, placed on top of the frame. The other side has a removable piece that is bolted the full length under the other lip holding the tank in place. The tank is held in place by these lips. No straps under the tank. In reading other situations of this nature someone asked why the water did not go up the vent pipe and not burst the tank. It is my belief that the water in the tank became so heavy that it caused the lip on the tank to fail. I have observed first hand where the lip broke off. Has anyone had this happen lately. Will cost $2000.00 to have new tank and underbelley installed. Am talking to insurance co at this time. Just a warning..pay attention when dumping...I did not !!

woodburner · 07-19-2006, 01:21 AM

Sorry to hear about your crummy luck.....I was wondering if that would happen myself. Thanks for the heads-up!

Hitchhiker · 07-19-2006, 01:41 AM

Hello Don Mac,

First of all, welcome to iRV2, we're really glad to have you here as a new member. We're looking forward to reading your posts about your RVing experiences and adventures in your rig and are sorry to hear about your bursted black tank.

You'll find a great bunch of folks on this site who are very knowledgeable of RVing, the rigs we use, and the places we go in them.

As you'll see, they're eager to help and share their knowledge and experiences with others.

Again, welcome to iRV2, we're glad you joined.

charliez · 07-19-2006, 04:29 AM

Had a neighbor that worked at an RV dealership. Talking with him, I was surprised to hear how ofter this happens. Seems like a mod of installing a couple of straps when empty (between trips) isn't that bad of an idea. I don't have the flushing device but have thought about installing it.

camper1b · 07-19-2006, 07:05 AM

I have the flushing device and am religious about its use when the valve is closed. After I have flushed, I close the valve and let the tank begin to fill. I watch my watch and turn off the water after exactly 1.5 minutes. I do nothing during this time but watch my watch. This gives me about a 1/4 full tank charged with fresh water (well - it started off fresh) for the next use.

Sorry about your accident. My tanks have straps going across them.

bldrbob · 07-19-2006, 11:50 AM

I don't think fresh water is any heavier than black water so I would be happy that it happened rinsing instead of with a full tank.I would be looking at a better system to support the tank.A good bump going down the road with a partial tank could get messy.
BOB

woodburner · 07-19-2006, 01:20 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bldrbob:
I don't think fresh water is any heavier than black water so I would be happy that it happened rinsing instead of with a full tank.I would be looking at a better system to support the tank.A good bump going down the road with a partial tank could get messy.
BOB </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Before i tear the belly off my coach....what make is yours with no cross support? (although I seriously doubt mine has any either)

bldrbob · 07-19-2006, 04:32 PM

I have a National Tradewinds.The tanks sit on shelves and are completly supported.

woodburner · 07-20-2006, 01:16 AM

I'm sorry I was actually curious as to what make DonMac owned....I know I've read several instances where Everest fresh water tanks fell out and am guessing the black tank isn't supported any better.

Don Mac · 07-23-2006, 06:13 PM

I own a 2003 Keystone Everest 363K. Tanks are not supported by straps at all.

beliveauj · 07-24-2006, 07:15 AM

Happened with my Keystone Challenger last winter in Az.Was backflushing and got called away.Sounded like a shotgun going off and shook the whole trailer.Can't remember what the tank cost around $300.00 I think and put it in myself.Lesson learned.Jim

ncason · 07-31-2006, 10:50 AM

Wow, what a mess. I have had so many friends with 5vrs and MHs have problems while back flushing that I am glad we did not purchase that option. We just fill the take from inside, holding the pedal down then dumping the clean water after each dump. We have never had a black tank problem or odor. Even better we have never backflushed into the rig.