Community Forums

DHE · 01-16-2020, 08:10 PM

Hop everyone. I have a 2015 Winnabago Destination 36RL Fifth Wheel. Just one quick question. Is it possible to overfill the the grey water tanks and black water tank causing them to leak and causing water to begin dripping out from under the unit? Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

jdpm · 01-16-2020, 08:21 PM

Absolutely! Should one have to worry about that? NO! However, it can happen if the plumping lines were not properly sealed. All the inlets are in the top as well as the vent stack. They are installed with simple slip seal grommets Tank expansion as it fill and contraction as it empties (from the vent pipe slipping down inside the tank) could cause the inlet pipes/seals to work loose.

DHE · 01-16-2020, 08:29 PM

Thanks jdpm for your quick response. I will start emptying the tanks at 3/4 full to avoid any cause foe leaks.

LAKnox · 01-16-2020, 09:10 PM

Frankly, if the tanks were properly sealed, there wouldn't be any leaks. My '04 Komfort never leaked full tanks in the 3 years I owned it.

Lyle

42willys · 01-16-2020, 10:54 PM

If your grey is overfull the first place you would notice it is the shower drain.Black woud come up the toilet,dont let that happen.Pull black drain first,then grey.

jdpm · 01-17-2020, 06:23 AM

Properly installed, any of the gray tank will back up into the shower and black tank into the toilet once over filled. However, if the drain lines are not properly sealed at the tank inlet they would leak and run out the bottom of the RV.
Also, holding tanks can crack over use from various things such as improper installation such as lack of bracing. If improperly vented, severe contraction when dumping due to a vent pipe that has slide down into the tank.
I'm able to see the top of my tanks from inside the forward basement. I'd start by trying to see if you are able to do the same. If they are leaking at the inlets, you will see moisture on the top of the tank. If you don't, there is probably a hairline crack someplace in the tank. Good luck.

trampsrv · 01-17-2020, 06:29 AM

something does not smell right!! Why would you wait until the holding tanks are 100% full?

DHE · 01-17-2020, 09:25 AM

Thanks to all for your helpful comments.

DHE · 01-17-2020, 01:08 PM

Hello is me again my friends. Rather than a water leak I have read further that condensation in the underbelly can occur. I cut into it and it was wet in the suspected area so I am leaving it open to dry out. Some say this is a common problem with units that have coroplast as part of the underbelly. My unit has a very thin sheet of aluminum sheeting which is covered by the coroplast. I would appreciate any of your thoughts. Thanks.

jdpm · 01-17-2020, 01:27 PM

Odor? Can you catch it in a pan? Does it smell like musty water like may come from a condensation situation like you refer to? Black and gray water has very strong distinct odors.
I have never experienced that and I travel only in the SE USA and live in FL where we have humidity and temperature swings.

LAKnox · 01-17-2020, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHE

Hello is me again my friends. Rather than a water leak I have read further that condensation in the underbelly can occur. I cut into it and it was wet in the suspected area so I am leaving it open to dry out. Some say this is a common problem with units that have coroplast as part of the underbelly. My unit has a very thin sheet of aluminum sheeting which is covered by the coroplast. I would appreciate any of your thoughts. Thanks.

Check Harbor Freight for inspection cameras. Usually < $150 for a decent one. Some have storage capability on a USB drive, so you can look at vids/pics on your computer instead of the little 2" screen. Son-in-law has one and we use it 2-3x a year for various stuff.

Lyle

tuffr2 · 01-17-2020, 02:01 PM

My 1st RV experience was a rented small class 'C' from Cruise America. Wife taking a shower says water is backing up on her feet. I drain the gray tank and she continues her shower. I am puzzled until I look up the gray tank capacity...it was just 16 gallon. I still can not believe a 16 gallon gray tank...ugh.

DHE · 01-17-2020, 04:44 PM

No odor associated with it. Thanks for responding.

DHE · 01-17-2020, 04:54 PM

Thanks to all. I’m letting that area of the underbelly dry out till I go camping next month and will check it daily on that trip to determine what it might be further. The area is directly under the plumbing where the two grey tanks and black water takes are locate. YeT again there has been no odor associated with this. Just strange.