Posted 2006-03-02 7:22 AM (#38090) Subject: Hot weld or replace Grey water Tanks?
New User
Posts: 4
Location: dayton, ohio
I have a 2003 Exiss just bought...On first trip to the barn I tore the dump valves (3 of the them) off.....can they be hot welded or just replace the whole thing? THey broke into the tank outlet.
Posted 2006-03-02 8:42 AM (#38091 - in reply to #38090) Subject: RE: Hot weld or replace Grey water Tanks?
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by termitedh3 on 2006-03-02 8:22 AM
I have a 2003 Exiss just bought...On first trip to the barn I tore the dump valves (3 of the them) off.....can they be hot welded or just replace the whole thing? THey broke into the tank outlet.
Hi and Welcome to the Forum.
Errr, first I'd check into getting whatever protrusions ripped them off taken care of. Roots, rocks, whatever, if you're going to be driving over them again... ??
Without seeing it - hard to say.
Since the trailer is an '03 and you just got it...
I'd guess you plan on keeping it and therefore want the long term fix.
Welding always destroys some of whatever lining a tank has, so rust is likely to start SOON. I'd get prices both ways, check with my insurance about deductables and then make the long vs short term decision.
{edited to add another thought}
Is it practical to use tearway plastic fittings for dump valves ?
I'm thinking that there are probably threaded "bosses" that are part of the tank itself and the dump valves screw into these. I don't know what codes/laws you have to adhere to, but it would seem that any part that is hanging down and vulnerable shouldn't tear up the whole tank if/when it hits things. It should be a "breakaway" item.
{end edit}
Posted 2006-03-02 11:49 AM (#38104 - in reply to #38090) Subject: RE: Hot weld or replace Grey water Tanks?
Expert
Posts: 1283 Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
Well I'm confused and I do trailers and will be installing some tanks tomorrow, You say 3 dump valves, thats odd there should be one for the black water(3") and one for the gray water(1.5" maybe 2"). You also say hot weld, are you saying the tanks are steel(again very odd). Most tanks you see are ABS(black) plastic. I make mine out of aluminum and install the valves with a RV grommet and hose clamp so if you tear the valve off you don't hurt the tanks. Maybe a little more explaining, to replace the tank is a major job due to the plumbing that is going in the top side of it.
Posted 2006-03-02 2:16 PM (#38115 - in reply to #38090) Subject: RE: Hot weld or replace Grey water Tanks?
New User
Posts: 4
Location: dayton, ohio
There is a tank for the toilet, sink, and shower(all are separate). They are polyethelene (black plastic) hot weld is a term used to repair polyethelene. It broke the dump valves back to the drain tubes on the tank.
Posted 2006-03-02 6:24 PM (#38138 - in reply to #38090) Subject: RE: Hot weld or replace Grey water Tanks?
Expert
Posts: 1283 Location: Home of Wild Turkey Whiskey
That is a terrible design. Did it break them all back that far or just one of the gray tanks. If it was just on of the gray tanks and it only has Shower or sink running in to it, may not be to hard to replace. Just curious what size is it?
Posted 2006-03-02 7:18 PM (#38144 - in reply to #38090) Subject: RE: Hot weld or replace Grey water Tanks?
Veteran
Posts: 285
We did this with ours on the way back from Montanna. Ran over an tire alligator. Just got the grey tank. Hubby is a welder and says they can be hot welded if you have the right stuff. We used an expoxy glue to piece ours back together and it worked fine. Then hubby fixed up a piece of angle iron underneath and the black water tank to keep this from happening again. Debbie
Hot weld or replace Grey water Tanks?
