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thecatsandi · 01-12-2008, 08:02 PM

All of you that I talked to at the Can Opener know my story.

I left my sisters Wednesday morning before the Can Opener with full holding tanks and headed to JD Sanders to have my Converter replaced. When I opened my door I was knocked over by the smell. Never had that happen before. I asked Sander where I could dump my tanks and they told me they did not have a place for "the public" to dump tanks. I did not get this since I owned an Airstream and theyt are an Airstream dealer. I had just walked by the place on the property where tanks were dumped. Go figure. They told me where I could go which was down towards Gainsville. This was not the direction I was travelling. I looked at my watch and decided I could make Topsail a day early. I went north and west.

When I stopped for fuel I noticed a fluid running out from underneath the trailer. It was not water or grey tank material. It was from the black tank. Ah Hah! the smell. I have a black tank leak.

I called the factory and asked where I could have it repaired along I-10. Not much until California. I was not going that far on this run.

Here is plan B. After spending four days in Mississippi and Louisiana I have detoured North. I am now in the Dallas area for a stop at North Dallas RV on Monday for the tank repair.

I beleive it is the toilet coupling. Since I was flushing the tank with a little too much vigor, some water started running out on the bathroom floor. A major clue.
I will be wandering around parts of west Texas for a few day and then headed into New Mexico and Arizona. Back to Boise by the end of the month.

janetb · 01-12-2008, 08:12 PM

Hey Michelle, what do you mean too much vigor? I like the vigor! Isn't it part of what the Flush King's all about? (Hush DG--the SS is still on our list...)
How does it cause a leak at the coupling? Eek. Don't want that to happen so please post precautions.
And best of luck. See you in March!
Janet

tin sista · 01-12-2008, 08:19 PM

Was your running gear properly balanced?

2airishuman · 01-12-2008, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janetb

... what do you mean too much vigor?...

the black tank can b very quickly filled with the f.k....

when back flushing with 'the king' the only escape for air/pressure is the tank vent tube...

this can get plugged on occasion and bad things will happen....

so one option is to prop open the toilet bowl valve...

NO pressure can accumulate this way...

also the vent tubes can come LOOSE right at the tank attachment point

i had this happen on the wash water tank and whenever the tank as full or NOT LEVEL it would leak into the trailer....

don't ever let anyone tell ya wash water doesn't stink!

cheers
2air'

cats did you consider stopping in searcy arkansas for service? they do great work there!

and gladly let customers use the hookups as needed.

herrgirdner · 01-12-2008, 11:05 PM

Here is a site that I use when traveling, and it is pretty handy: rvdumps.com | RV Dump Stations in the United States and Canada
( I know it is a little late for it, now and that you probably already knew it, but just in case...)

regards

overlander63 · 01-13-2008, 06:31 AM

Michelle, if you are out this way again, and need your trailer's tanks dumped, Flying J at exit 192 on I-10 in Florida has a dump station. Most of them do, no matter where you are, and you can fill up your truck while you're there.

thecatsandi · 01-13-2008, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tin sista

Was your running gear properly balanced?

No I removed the weights that the factory put on when they install the new tires. My axles are shot as well. Too many miles.

thecatsandi · 01-13-2008, 07:07 AM

Terry,
I thnk I missed that one on this trip. I wasn ot running the Interstates for some of my trip across Florida. I do like the US roads since hte speeds are close to the interstates and the scenery is much nicer.

thecatsandi · 01-13-2008, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janetb

Hey Michelle, what do you mean too much vigor? I like the vigor! Isn't it part of what the Flush King's all about? (Hush DG--the SS is still on our list...)
How does it cause a leak at the coupling? Eek. Don't want that to happen so please post precautions.
And best of luck. See you in March!
Janet

I let the tank fill up. Theroticly the water should have been running out the vent stack.
I got a complate flush on this one as well as the belly pan.

thecatsandi · 01-13-2008, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2air

cats did you consider stopping in searcy arkansas for service? they do great work there!

and gladly let customers use the hookups as needed.

I was not going that far north. I wanted to stay as far south as possible. IF North Dallas does not do a good job. There is always Rodger Williams.

janetb · 01-13-2008, 11:16 AM

so one option is to prop open the toilet bowl valve...

NO pressure can accumulate this way...

That sounds like a good precaution. Thanks 2Air.

herrgirdner · 01-13-2008, 03:15 PM

Michelle, if you're going as far as Tucson, Oasis (right off I10) does top notch work. -- I know that's a long, long way to drive with an odor, but if you don't get satisfaction at any other dealer, it would be worth it.
Here's hoping your next report is: Problem Cleared!
regards

thecatsandi · 01-13-2008, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janetb

so one option is to prop open the toilet bowl valve...

NO pressure can accumulate this way...

That sounds like a good precaution. Thanks 2Air.

No pressure should accumlate if the vent is working properly.
Proping the toilet valve open can lead to nicks in the valve and eventually leaks. This could also lead to water backing up into the toilet and then the trailer.

thecatsandi · 01-13-2008, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herrgirdner

Michelle, if you're going as far as Tucson, Oasis (right off I10) does top notch work. -- I know that's a long, long way to drive with an odor, but if you don't get satisfaction at any other dealer, it would be worth it.
Here's hoping your next report is: Problem Cleared!
regards

I am not sure if am going to get that far or when. I will keep them in mind if North Dallas Rv or if necessary Roger Willams cannot solve the problem.

I tried the dealer in Phoenix and they were un-sympathetic.

thecatsandi · 01-15-2008, 08:35 PM

I am back on the road and headed west. Tonight Mineral Wells, TX after a visit at Roger Williams AS in Weatherford. Stainless covers for all! Tomorrow Midland and the Commerative Air Force. After that Not sure if I am going south to Big Bend or continue west.

SilverCabin · 01-15-2008, 08:54 PM

May the road rise up to meet you, and may you leave no wet spots behind

Good luck and be safe.

Randy

thecatsandi · 01-16-2008, 04:15 PM

No more wet spots! I am now back to plan A. I have 12 days to kill and I have no clue where I am going to be!
I am going to spend a little time tonight planning a little.
So many places so little time!

emdubyadee · 01-21-2008, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

... after a visit at Roger Williams AS in Weatherford.

Did North Dallas RV not work out for you? I live near them and wonder if they provide good warrenty repair service.

thecatsandi · 01-21-2008, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emdubyadee

Did North Dallas RV not work out for you? I live near them and wonder if they provide good warrenty repair service.

They did good by me. They were the place the factory recomended for the repair. It is not a glamourous place. They do have a lot of work though. I would visit them and oter local dealer and decide for yourself.

jacarape · 01-23-2008, 08:58 AM

It's nice to a Plan B, mine was a secret escape to Mexico City to live on tortilla soup. It sounds like a riduclous plan, that's me.

Leaving my first WBCCI ralley, I was turning left, and was NAILED on the frint wheel/bumper of my 2002 Burb/8.1/HD/LT/4x4. Argghh, the kid had no insurance. Towed by I10 pirate to an Exit 31 in Miss. to a park, I found a great shop the next day that replaced the broken tie rod, aligned the front end. All on the same day and it drives straighter then ever. Well, now when I get to NM and park, I can worry about the body crush.

An idea for a sticky thread may be good places along the road for repairs.

Here is my first experience:

Bradely Thompson's Automotive
7378 Beatline Rd
Long Beach-MS 39560
(228) 865-9971

Fast and fair prices, nice shop, and he's a Harley fan and a fifth wheeler guy.