Update on Galley Tank Repair

[bigred715]

Just got back from my dealer about replacement of leaking galley tank. The seam where the top mates to the tank had broken due to pressure building from NOT BEING VENTED! It had expanded so much that it had crushed the heat duct above the tank. Wholesale Warranties wants to repair tank and doesn't want to replace it. Dealer says they won't warranty the tank and that they don't do those kind of repairs. This galley tank is on a 3000RK Montana with the tank in the rear. Dealer is going to call extended warranty and try and convince them to replace tank. These tanks SHOULD be vented. I can understand Rich's frustration about the tank situation. Will see if Wholesale Warranty will step up and cover repair.

[8.1al]

Your tank may be vented inside somewhere with one of these
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-Sur...9016/100201861

[richfaa]

You should have one of those vents as 8.1al says some where in the kitchen area. It may be defective. The tank cost like 132.00 from the vendor. I agree it should be replaced. Remember wholesale warranties is the broker. Who has your actual warranty. Mine was RV shield through wholesale warranties on the 06 3400 and they replaced four failed tanks without question.

[jlb27537]

quote:Originally posted by 8.1al

Your tank may be vented inside somewhere with one of these
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-Sur...9016/100201861

That vent ONLY allows air into the drain line, it does not vent air out of the tank as it fills.

Yes, you probably have one of those, but you must have a vent in the tank to allow air out as the tank fills.

Jim

[jimcol]

I have this unit and it is vented as 8.1al said. The only way the tank can fill is from the kitchen sink and as water is going into the tank the vent is open and displacing air. Has worked well for us for 9 years. Jim

[8.1al]

You are right, this valve only lets air in. You would think that if there were excess pressure in the tank it would go up through the P trap before damaging the tank.

[steelpony5555]

My 3000rk's galley tank burst already....don't think it is so much the air cause if anything it will equalize thru the P-trap like Charlie said. I think it is more just a cheap piece of plastic Keystone calls a tank. DO NOT allow it to get full. Part is also the solid inlet going into the tank and when it gets full and sags etc it will split the tank. They put flexible unions on mine to the tank, but still won't let it get full.

[jcurtis934]

Without supports under the tank, the top seam will "work" as grey water is added to the tank. The tanks really expand in normal use...seen with my own eyes when I was diagnosing my leaking tank. I feel my repaired tank is better than a new tank because I redid the whole top seam instead of just the foot or so that opened. Still may fail at some point in future, but not as likely since I also installed an external sensor tank monitor and I calibrated it to read full and sound an alarm when only 80% full...plus I put in padded straps under the tank...and the input/output pipes are connected to the tank using rubber couplers. But it is still a trailer... john

[richfaa]

Note the tank vendor calls for straps under the tanks. You would be amazed at how much these tanks sag when full if water at 8.33 lbs per gallon.We will have flex pipe on the input also. We have been to the plant that makes the tanks and IMO the PRIMARY cause is not a cheap tank but improper installation of the tank by the manufacturer.

[bigred715]

The dealer said they would add the straps, probably at my expense. Would also would request the expansion joints to. It seems strange that after breaking the top of the tank where it is put together that it would not leak after only 3 days when the water level would not be at the top where the break is. Rich, I checked the service agreement and it is thru Allegiance. In small print it says "Obligor : Autoguard Advantage Corporation. Is this it? They paid for the last tank in 2012, but I had to pay for shipping.The dealer said the last tank they put in didn't have a vent in the top of tank and the service tech said he would add one if we get approval from EXT. Does it need a top vent installed if the p-trap is supposed to do the job? It seems that the service tech should know about the p-trap.

[8.1al]

Although the P trap would let excess pressure out you really need a vent

[richfaa]

My Good Sam ESP paid for the total cost of replacing two tanks last June less deductible. We will ask about the vent on all the tanks??
"Obligor : Autoguard Advantage Corporation' yes that is who has your warranty. We will have the flex pipe installed as well as the strapping. I don't care who pays for it.

We never let the present tanks fill up yet they still failed standing on our Florida lot . Same with the two previous failures last winter...What are we supposed to do????

[bigred715]

I don't have a good feeling about my extended warranty covering my tank replacement. Still waiting to hear from my dealer whether the EXT warranty is going to cover it. Only the second claim against them. There should be a class action suit against Keystone for not putting supports under their holding tanks since the vendor requires it. Keystone is being negligent, and causing most of these problems. Too many tanks rupturing and we have to suffer the inconvenience and extra expense because Keystone is too cheap to do it right.

[richfaa]

Your EW should cover tank replacement. Do you have a copy of the contract?? The dealer has to drop the tank determine what the problem then advise the EW company. we hae not had a problem with two different EW companies with to date 8 failed tanks with two yet to be replaced.
Which one of these plans do you have .I googled them..

WARRANTY CHOICES
Basic 600
Basic 800
Basic 1000
Standard 1500
Premium 2000
Extra Value Plan
Limited XP Superior Plus
XP Superior Plus
XP Gold Seal Plus
XP Platinum Plus
Factory Warranty Extended Coverage +
Powertrain Finance Package

[bigred715]

Yes, I do have copy of service agreement. The RV Care Service Agreement by Allegiance Home of CSI Care. The Obligor's performance under this Agreement is insured under a contractual liability insurancepolicy issued by General Fidelity Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America. I don't see any of the types of coverage you have listed. The dealer name listed on the contract is Extended Service Contract Advisers (CSI RV). Thank you Rich for your help so far. I follow your problems and solutions so I respect your advise and know the problems you are going thru.

[richfaa]

Hope I am not being a pest but just trying to help out. Both of our E.W's were "exclusionary" contracts that is it was clearly stated what was "excluded"(not covered} and if not "excluded was covered.

The most important part is that the dealer MUST get prior approval to do the repair. If the dealer does the work and sends the bill without prior approval the EW will NOT pay. The EW company MAY send out a adjuster to verify the failure and approve repair.

[bigred715]

No, you are definately being a pest. You have dealt with this problem of the tanks and still are, so I appreciate the advice and help. That is why I am contacting you. The dealer said the EXT warranty may in fact send someone out to look at the tank. After looking at the contract there is IV Covered parts, a short paragraph,V What is not covered, VI Exclusions-What this motor home serviceagreementdoes not cover, 25 items.In the signed agreement it says 2010 Keystone Montana 3000RK, they x-ed in travel trailer and under travel trailer, fifth wheel or foldingcamper 7yrs for length of contract. That was the typed contract. The hand written contract also signed by me has 5th wheel instead of travel trailer. It sounds as though I have an exclusionary contract also by the number of things it doesn't cover. Contacted dealer Tuesday and looked at trialer. Still waiting to see what EXT wants to do. Thanks Rich

[bigred715]

Rich, I meant your are NOT being a pest. Typing not very good and did not proof read before I sent message. Sorry, Jeff

[richfaa]

The exclusionary contracts are the best and preferred ones. My Contract also had about 25 things it did not cover but that is not too bad .Many of those not covered things may be covered by your regular Rv insurance. The EW will not cover items that are covered by the normal Rv insurance policy and that makes sense.

According to BBB the most common compliant for EW not paying is the dealer or customer DID NOT get prior approval for repairs.
sorry To keep harping on that but it is critical. Make SURE your dealer gets prior approval. Oh one other thing. Usually they will approve repair to OEM standards. I want the flex pip at the input and strapping under the tanks. That is Not OEM so the dealer may have to be creative in the repair order.. Also DO NOT under any circumstances mention to the EW folks that the tanks were defective or improperly installed. That will be a automatic "vendor /Manufacturer problem and no payment. Just .. The tanks leak....Period.... Things I have learned along the way and some of them the hard way.We take ours in May4th for repair.

[bigred715]

Yes, our service manager says that he tells the no more information than he thinks is needed and this is the same dealer that replaced the galley tank in 2012. I told him I would be willing to pay extra to do the strapping and the 2 inline connections to allow for line flexing.