Fresh Water Tank

wheatboy
Newbie RV’er

Posts: 9

Fresh Water Tank Jun 11, 2021 8:43:32 GMT -5

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Post by wheatboy on Jun 11, 2021 8:43:32 GMT -5

Hello all,

We own a 2013 KZ Spree E196S and have a crack (& slow leak) on the freshwater tank (the tank-welded fitting that provides connection the the pump). I installed a winterization kit after the last season the trailer was used & believe I likely screwed the bypass valve in too far or overtightened it. :(

Rather than replace the freshwater tank (white opaque colour), we have decided to weld the plastic. I can guess it is either high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, or possibly even polypropylene (not likely due to cost of material--an RV manufacturers tend to cheap out!). As I want to ensure I use the correct plastic for welding, I have already emailed the manufacture for an answer... but the last time I contacted them, they were terrible at responding

Thus, being this is a time sensitive repair, I was wondering if anyone knew what material was used during the manufacturing of the freshwater tanks on these models?

ps, have tried JB Weld's Marine Weld & can 100% confirm that it doesn't work (thus why I believe the tank is PE). The upside is I ONLY I wasted one day.

Edd505 Professional RV’er Posts: 2,926	Fresh Water Tank Jun 12, 2021 15:34:41 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Edd505 on Jun 12, 2021 15:34:41 GMT -5 Hot glue? Mix some epoxy? One of the Flex seal products? Just thoughts .........
	2017 Durango Gold G353RKT 2022 F350 Lariat LBCC SRW 4X4FX

660catman Full Timer RV’er Posts: 343	Fresh Water Tank Jun 12, 2021 17:30:26 GMT -5 via Tapatalk wheatboy likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by 660catman on Jun 12, 2021 17:30:26 GMT -5 Polyethylene is one of the hardest plastics to fix. Nothing sticks to it but a proper plastic welding job with polyethylene rods. It’s used on many ATV and sled tanks.
	2021 Durango Half-Ton D250RES[br]2013 Sierra 2500HD Duramax

lm3929 Newbie RV’er Posts: 6	Fresh Water Tank Jun 13, 2021 18:03:53 GMT -5 wheatboy likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by lm3929 on Jun 13, 2021 18:03:53 GMT -5 I used a section of a clean milk jug and soldering iron to fix a hole that I had drilled into the fresh waster tank. LM

wheatboy
Newbie RV’er

Posts: 9

Fresh Water Tank Jun 16, 2021 0:46:45 GMT -5 via mobile 660catman likes this

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Post by wheatboy on Jun 16, 2021 0:46:45 GMT -5

Jun 12, 2021 17:30:26 GMT -5 660catman said:

Polyethylene is one of the hardest plastics to fix. Nothing sticks to it but a proper plastic welding job with polyethylene rods. It’s used on many ATV and sled tanks.

Yeah, I was partially hoping it was something more easily repaired or that maybe something new was available for fixing. I had also contacted KZ to find out the tank material and only response I got was they contacted the tank manufacturer (sadly no further response). Kind of bugs me they wouldn’t know what the tank material is…

Jun 13, 2021 18:03:53 GMT -5 lm3929 said:

I used a section of a clean milk jug and soldering iron to fix a hole that I had drilled into the fresh waster tank.

LM

Yes, they are PE too. After trying JBWelds MarineWeld (no doesn’t stick at all despite initially seeming to), I caved in and invested in a proper plastic welding tool and PE rods. Had tried using a soldering fun and heat gun but glad I picked up the proper tool. Made life waaay easier. Took two attempts (1st time didn’t use enough PE and didn’t melt together well enough) but now I’m confident in using the tool.

Excluding time spent, saved a couple of hundred dollars, after tool cost, versus replacing tank. Week of camping to test, all good now.

Update (June 17, 2021): Received an answer from KZ. They confirmed it is LLDPE & provided the following repair info:

TANK REPAIR PROCEDURE

Ameri-Kart polyethylene water and holding tanks can be repaired by the following procedure. The only satisfactory repair is performed with heat.
Step 1: Drain tank and allow it to dry inside.
Step 2: Pass an electric soldering iron or similar hot instrument lightly over the hole, working the molten plastic into the hole.
STEP 3: Allow the patch to cool and test the tank with water. If the tank still leaks, drain it allow it to dry again and REPEAT STEP 2.
STEP 4: For larger holes, use a strip of polyethylene repair plastic as shown. Slightly heat the tank at the point to be repaired with a propane torch on LOW heat. EXTREME caution must be used to avoid overheating. When the tank repair area and the underside of the repair plastic are both tacky, stick them together and smooth together until they are cool.
STEP 5: Cracks in Ameri-Kart tanks are unlikely. If your tank is cracked, it normally is due to stress on the tank. Look for the point of stress where the tank is mounted. Common causes of stress are an uneven floor, a strap being too tight, or pressure from a structure near the tank when it is full. Eliminate this problem before reinstalling the tank. To repair a stress crack, drill a small hole at each end of the crack and continue heating and sticking the plastic together along the crack. Overlap each end about 1” if possible. Major changes such as fitting locations or stripped threads should be returned to Ameri-Kart for repair.

Hope this helps someone else out!

Last Edit: Jun 17, 2021 10:57:05 GMT -5 by wheatboy

Post by wheatboy on Jun 11, 2021 8:43:32 GMT -5

Post by Edd505 on Jun 12, 2021 15:34:41 GMT -5

Post by 660catman on Jun 12, 2021 17:30:26 GMT -5

Post by lm3929 on Jun 13, 2021 18:03:53 GMT -5

Post by wheatboy on Jun 16, 2021 0:46:45 GMT -5