Plastic weld fresh water tank?

[Jhall244]

I just purchased a new toy hauler. When getting it home I went to bleach the new tank out and get it ready for future use. Found out it has a nice puncture hole in the side of the tank about 3/4 up. I called the dealer and they first said bring it on down and we’ll replace it. Now that I scheduled it and am looking to take it down there today they mention plastic welding it. I know it’s LDPE plastic and has to be hot welded and cannot be chemically welded.

I told him “lit’s a brand new camper and I don’t want a welded up tank, I’d prefer a new tank with my new camper. He claims it’s very successful and then said it’s not up to them it’s up to forest river.

I am dropping it off after hours but I am leaving a note with the front desk to call me before any repairs are done. And will demand a new tank but don’t know how that will stand.

What’s your thoughts on this?

Not sure why the pictures got rotated 90° but they did

[TheWolfPaq82]

That should've been caught when the dealer prepped it.

[nayther]

I'd insist on a new tank but not sure what FR will authorize.

[007matman]

I get it.. you pay for new and expect to get new.

However, replacement of the tank could be a bigger trouble than it's worth. The plastic weld tech out there is actually pretty good. I'd have it welded and don't look at it again.

[Jhall244]

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

That should've been caught when the dealer prepped it.

I agree. Unfortunately When I picked it up i it was hooked up to city water to do the walk through and didn’t think about it

[HangDiver]

New camper, new tank! The trouble is you don't know what else they will break installing another tank.

[rsdata]

Such a small spot... if the tank were split wide open it would be another matter...
Heck, a piece of Gorilla tape and super glue should hold up there...

[dtptrson]

I agree, new is new and they should be installing a replacement tank, I'd call Forest River direct. It may linger in the dealers lot forever if you get them to replace the tank though.
I've fabricated several tanks using HDPE and a patch will last forever if properly done.
It was obviously installed that way and highlights the fact that Forest River has ZERO quality control. As for dealer prep, most of them rarely do a thorough job of inspecting a trailer, they would rather have you find the flaws and hope you fix them yourself. Some dealers will try and add the dealer prep fees into what they charge you and if they did I'd be asking for that money back as well.

Good luck.

[aircommuter]

You paid for a new tank now lets have one. Otherwise certified letter promising small claims action. If they don’t want to do just ask for the name address of the person who accepts small claims service.

[firemedicmark]

I agree with you and would be lobbying for a new tank if I was in your position. I however do have a good amount of knowledge with plastic welding of water tanks and, in all honesty the welded portion is in fact stronger than the tank itself.
Good Luck with whatever you decide to accept.

[Garrette]

For what it is worth, I would be afraid that FR would send an unprepped tank and the dealer would need to cut the tank openings, install leak free fittings, get the sensors mounted correctly and wired, rework the piping etc etc. I would ask an additional warranty on the tank repair and speak to the tech on the weld process and how many he has done. After all that, I would opt for the repair, slap some Flexseal tape over the repair and call it good.

[Bama Rambler]

I'd let them weld it, and ask for an extended warranty for the tank (in writing). They'll probably go for that.

That's an easy weld in a great place.

[kurtsont]

I understand its a new trailer and should be 100%, but if it were mine I would plastic weld it. Like others have said replacing it could cause more issues. Done right it will hold forever. We have plastic water tanks on our fire trucks at the department I work for and have had a few leaks and they just plastic weld them up and all is good. Since the hole is not on a seam the weld will last forever.

[rlh1957]

Easy plastic weld and a good permanent seal if the guy knows his stuff.
Even if they approved new tank to replace, you'll have to bring it back, then they undo the factory install to reinstall new. Do they know how? Have experience, reconnect and test sensors? Might be getting a new set of problems.

[Jhall244]

Well work held me up and I wasn’t able to take it in so it probably won’t be in for another week. But both ways worried me. I am worried of what else they might break replacing it and from what I understand that plastic welding is very successful IF ITS DONE RIGHT. I asked if I could have the tank and do it myself and return the damaged one but that was a hard no

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by rlh1957

Easy plastic weld and a good permanent seal if the guy knows his stuff.
Even if they approved new tank to replace, you'll have to bring it back, then they undo the factory install to reinstall new. Do they know how? Have experience, reconnect and test sensors? Might be getting a new set of problems.

Likelihood of more problems from removing and reinstalling is almost a given. I too would go for "Weld and extended warranty on the tank". Most of the battle in getting a good weld whether on plastic or metal is how easy the point of repair is to access. This looks like it can be easily reached and the probability of a good weld, assuming a skilled tech, is a lot higher than having a trouble free tank if they tear out old and install new.

[micro_jul]

I had the same issue when I bought my MicroLite trailer. The dealer told me to call Forest River and request a new tank. I did call and FR shipped the new tank overnight to the dealer. The dealer told me that FR responds much faster to customers requests than they do to dealers.

[micro_jul]

And I haven't had any issues with the tank since. I travel with it full because of dry camping.

[MR.M]

If the dealer found this in their pdi they would have had it welded . the plastic weld done right is more then ok . I would allow them to do their weld and get a written warranty saying tank is covered and be done with it .

[pdqparalegal1]

Originally Posted by aircommuter

You paid for a new tank now lets have one. Otherwise certified letter promising small claims action. If they don’t want to do just ask for the name address of the person who accepts small claims service.

That approach will net you nothing. Let them fix it an keek an eye on it for leaks. He will have almost a year to test it. Enjoy it.