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P&GK · 05-07-2006, 01:09 PM

My husband mistakenly connected our outside water hose to the blackwater tank instead of the direct (city water) opening on our 2002 Montana 5th wheel. Shortly thereafter, we had a slight "earthquake" but no running water. It was then that he discovered his error.

My question is - does the blackwater tank have a pressure cap that blew or did he literally blow a hole in the tank? Water was in all the bays, but the tank is still relatively full. The valves (to open and drain both gray water and black water tanks) are both broken now.

Will we have to drill a hole to drain the black water tank and then take it off for replacement as well as replace both gray tank and black tank valves?

Your help is appreciated -

P&GK · 05-07-2006, 01:09 PM

My husband mistakenly connected our outside water hose to the blackwater tank instead of the direct (city water) opening on our 2002 Montana 5th wheel. Shortly thereafter, we had a slight "earthquake" but no running water. It was then that he discovered his error.

My question is - does the blackwater tank have a pressure cap that blew or did he literally blow a hole in the tank? Water was in all the bays, but the tank is still relatively full. The valves (to open and drain both gray water and black water tanks) are both broken now.

Will we have to drill a hole to drain the black water tank and then take it off for replacement as well as replace both gray tank and black tank valves?

Your help is appreciated -

Paul Heuvelhorst · 05-07-2006, 02:07 PM

Hi P&GK,
Welcome to irv2. I'm sorry you had to find us to ask the question you did, but we're glad you found us and hopefully our friends will supply you with the help you need.

No, the black tank and gray tanks do not have a pressure cap on them. However, it sounds as though the black tank may have cracked when the water pressure inside it exceeded the pressure the weakest point of the tank could stand. Since you say the tank is relatively full, it may have split at the top of the tank. Did any water come up through the commode into the bathroom?

The information you provided does not give us enough information to determine what actually happened, I can only make a guess... and since this has never happened to me, it is an uneducated guess.

Actually, I suggest you take the trailer to your local, trusted service center and have them diagnose the problem for you and do the repairs. It can be a very dirty job if the black tank had more than just plain water in it.

Best wishes to solve the problem with a minimum of effort and cost to you.

"007" · 05-07-2006, 03:42 PM

Why would you say its your black water tank. It may be your fresh water tank. The water may have popped thru a pressure relife valve in your bathroom. Hook up your sewer hose the tank valves maybe tight because they have not been used. WITH YOUR SEWER HOSE HOOKED UP pull the valve handle don't jurk it just a steddy pull. your tank will release the water which ever it is. Large pipe 3or4" is black small pipe 1 1/2" is gray tank. FRESH water tank can sometimes be over filled but will have over flow pipe out of it to prevent braking tank. Let us know how your making out.
AND yes welcome to irv2.

"007"

charliez · 05-08-2006, 04:10 AM

A black tank connection is a 3" twist fitting and a hose is 3/4'. How can you mix that up?

RKamperRV · 05-08-2006, 05:21 AM

Probably the black tank flush connection.

P&GK · 05-08-2006, 07:21 AM

On the side of our RV there are 3 hose connections, all 3/4" - although each one is labeled. There is one for sewer - I presume to fill and rinse the black tank, one for city water(direct flow) and one for the fresh water holding tank. The mister suffered a severe head injury last summer and apparently, is still having some problems. PK

P&GK · 05-08-2006, 07:23 AM

Thanks for your input - we are checking with the dealer today. Hopefully, the damage is not too severe - the RV is 247 miles from our home, up in the mountains, so it makes it a little difficult to take it to a dealer. It is set up as a pretty permanent vacation home. PK

powerboatr · 05-08-2006, 07:28 AM

i am amazed you didnt get black water flowing out of the roof vent or toilet seals.

with three water hook ups it would be easy for me to screw up
our black tank hook up is about 6 feet from our normal locked fresh water fill and shore water hook up.
hope nothing got broken,
i bursted a fresh water tank once, well i thought it burst, but it actually swole up enough to pop teh metal straps holding it on the frame, scared me pretty good, trailer shook and i jumped a few feet, tanks settled i the frame,
but it was funny later

Hitchhiker · 05-08-2006, 07:34 AM

Your black water tank will have a vent pipe extending up a wall and exiting through the roof. In all likelihood, that pipe started to fill when the tank reached capacity and it may have popped loose from the tank causing the flooding you observed and explaining why the tank is still nearly full.

P&GK · 05-08-2006, 08:34 AM

Thanks for your info, Richard - we will check that.

P&GK · 05-08-2006, 09:33 AM

Thanks, Robert - Hope that's all that happened with ours!

camper1b · 05-08-2006, 10:12 AM

You never said if the leak was fresh water or sewage. If it was fresh water, maybe it's just as simple as a connection came loose from your black tank sprayer.

When you get this resolved please post your results back here. We will all feel better knowing you have it resolved and we all learn something when someone posts their problem and resolution.

Good luck.