cracked grey water tank

[SteSpot]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

We have many different tanks made with fiberglass.

For all years and models, no.

We must have the exact year and model, and then can answer your question.

Andy

1982 24' Airstream Motorhome. Apparently Airstream did not manufacture a 24' motorhome in 1982. However, we have one....they made a funeral coach and I guess some custom models. I have a service manual for a 1979 that shows the correct 24' rear bath motorhome configuration. It is the same floor plan as the Argosy 24' rear bath. All tanks are in the back under the shower toilet rear bath area. p

[SteSpot]

These sure are interesting shapes...

[Surprise]

Well they finally got back to me and said to make one like mine it'll run upwards to $800. I said no thanks! So I'm back to square one. Any new advice on making a retro fit gray water tank for my 84' 310?

[Punch]

Originally Posted by Surprise

Well they finally got back to me and said to make one like mine it'll run upwards to $800. I said no thanks! So I'm back to square one. Any new advice on making a retro fit gray water tank for my 84' 310?

$800. ! Why they must be paying themselves wages or something. Don't do it.

[Punch]

..... but that does seem to be about twice what I would have guessed. Was this a big city company or a small town guy? I would be googling custom water tank and custom septic tank and phoning a few different people, with the dimensions handy, just asking for a rough guestimate. There'll be somebody who wants your business at a reasonable price.

[Surprise]

the problem is the tank is very complex with lots of curves. it was a big city guy calling a bigger city guy. I'll start calling them myself and see if I can get anywhere.

[robwok]

There are a couple outfits that will make them custom for you. If you search the forums, you'll find several companies that make tanks, and many that make them custom.

I think $500 is closer to what it should cost for a custom tank. Andy's team seems to deal exclusively with fiberglass, but you'll find others use ABS or other materials.

I see your options as:
Andy (expensive, and shipped from California, but you'll probably get great service) oh, and some free opinions. Andy always seems to have extras...

Custom All-Rite Holding Tanks - Tanks
Custom Rotational Molding Products – Plastic RV Tanks, Water Storage Tanks, Marine Fuel Tanks – Custom Plastic Molding and Repair - Custom Roto Molding
RV Tanks Camper, Motorhome, Travel Trailer
RV Water Tanks

[robwok]

whoops. Hit enter at the wrong time.
RV Water Tanks

Some of these companies have custom options. I think they run around $500 for a custom tank, and usually about $200 for shipping. There are a couple more companies online I've seen that might be better. I didn't see the one I expected, but I don't have it bookmarked. Keep looking, and ask for quotes from several of them.

The next option is to find something that is almost the right size. You can sometimes get a smaller tank, but it will fit in the space. So you might lose a little capacity, but you save several hundred dollars by buying off the shelf.

The last option is labor intensive, but if you have more time than money, you can make them yourself. I'll be posting a youtube video soon about my experience. I bought 2 sheets of ABS 1/4" plastic and made mine. The cost for a black tank and 2 shallow gray tanks was about $250 in materials, and $50 in tools from what I could buy locally.

[Silverflames]

$800? Dang you could have one made out of Stainless, and it would out last all of us.

[Isuzusweet]

Take a sheet or two of 1/8" or 1/4" Lexan to a cabinet shop like mine. Phone around to find a shop with an AXYZ machine. It would take a good programmer maybe a half hour or so to program the machine to cut your top, bottom and all the sides. This would include all cut outs and openings. Then get some Weld 45 or other Lexan/polycarbonate glue and taking a couple of scraps to practice on, learn to glue Lexan together. The glue joint ends up being stronger than the material……..and Lexan is bulletproof. The great thing about the AXYZ machine is the ability to make all the pieces fit the sheet and cut curves. You can heat and bend Lexan for curves.

http://www.axyz.com

[Surprise]

Here are pics from my 84' 310.

[Aage]

It's right purty!

[Surprise]

Had a huge rat nest made from cactus and doghouse insulation on top of it. Made it REAL fun to take out!

[rippie]

Surprise
Can you post a close-up photo of the crack? I also have a cracked BW tank. Mine is around the flange fitting. Apparently this is a not to uncommon failure with these above floor tanks due to having the weight of the toilet directly above and not enough additional surrounding relief for the flange fitting. Unfortunately, a PO attempted to patch with silicone-- woefully inadequate.

I will be trying to plastic weld mine. Seems your tank is polyethylene, as is mine. I have researched the topic and methods and know just enough to be dangerous. But I figure it's worth a try before I scrap it. If interested, here is some pertinent info: 1. Epoxy & Fiberglass patches won't work (according to experts) 2. Like sticks to like: must be exact type of plastic (eg. low density polypropelene to low density polypropelene 3. Different materials have different optimum working temps. 4. Drill small holes at either end of crack to prevent migration & weld. There are a few seemingly good U-tube vids using plastic welders to soldering irons to torches. With a clean crack it may be possible to clamp it together and weld the seam together without additional material, although that would probably require a big leap of faith.

One potential drawback for you is that the crack is on the bottom and will be subjected to stress at all times tank is used. Mine is at the top, so if properly supported (which I plan on), needs mostly just a good watertight seal- but extra reinforcement will still be given, of course.

I bought some polyetyhlene cutting boards to practice on and, depending on how that goes will start working on the tank. I'll post about it as I go.

[Surprise]

My tank is cracked all across the bottom. The entire bottom section is dried out and brittle. I was planning to just patch it with MarineTex but realized the deterioration was to extensive.

[Surprise]

Total Plastics in Phx is going to attempt to cut out the bottom and weld a polyethylene sheet to the bottom of the tank. They're concerned about the weakening effect of the welding process to the old plastic, but at this point I really don't have any other options. I'll post results.