Broken fresh water tank

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   It looks like I went over a speed bump that was just a little too high. It ripped off the drain point of my fresh water tank. I still have the piece that got taken off but I have no idea how to re-attach it and still maintain the integrity of the tank so it doesn't leak water.

Any ideas?

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Psychokitsune Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Nov 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 17	Topic: Broken fresh water tank Posted: 26 Dec 2020 at 11:24am
	It looks like I went over a speed bump that was just a little too high. It ripped off the drain point of my fresh water tank. I still have the piece that got taken off but I have no idea how to re-attach it and still maintain the integrity of the tank so it doesn't leak water. Any ideas?

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 26 Dec 2020 at 12:46pm
	Did it rip the drain out of the tank itself or shear it off? Its difficult to get anything to adhere well to the tank material which is low density polyethylene. Maybe if you took a picture or two and posted them it would if anyone has any ideas.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Colt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 16 Nov 2019 Online Status: Offline Posts: 383	Posted: 26 Dec 2020 at 2:00pm
	Polyethylene is normally heat welded. You might find someone who could weld it ultrasonically. Amazon would make you think a new tank might not be expensive, but contact Forest River or your dealer first. At least in concept, you could soften both the tank and the drain surfaces at the break with 2 heat guns or propane torches and force them back together while they are very soft. Be sure the force is even and a little poly extrused from the weld surface. Hold in place until it cools a little. Don't set anything on fire! This is how polyethylene pipe is welded. At this point you don't have much to lose.
	John '16 R-Pod 180

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 26 Dec 2020 at 2:42pm
	If it is the tank to fitting joint that has been torn loose, and not the fitting itself (which could be easier to repair), then you could try West Systems gflex epoxy. I did this to repair a polyethylene kayak and it worked, but it will take some luck. You need to flame treat the polyethylene surface first to get decent adhesion. See attached for adhesion data. Also, any cracks need to be stop drilled first. https://www.westsystem.com/specialty-epoxies/gflex-epoxy-adhesion-data/ You could also try carefully drilling out a nice clean hole and using a rubber expansion plug to seal it. Another long shot but it might work. You don't need the drain to be there, you can use the pump suction fitting to drain the tank. Something like this: https://www.envirodesignproducts.com/products/cherne-1-1-2-sure-grip-plug?variant=12330564518006 What year is your rPod and is it an East Coast or West Coast version? The earlier Eastern ones were pretty low to the ground. If you have one of those I'd suggest getting a riser kit for the trailer so you don't have the problem again.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold