Leak

[Foldbak]

So.....the dreaded belly water leak. 9pm what the hell is that...

[Mikendebbie]

Tony - I think your gray and black water tanks are mounted in the drop-frame something like the sketch below. I don't know exactly how far forward the tanks are mounted - but there are some braces under the bottom plastic cover to help find them. If you have a galley tank - it is probably oriented like I show somewhere closer to the kitchen. The leak appears to be on the gray tank side. I suppose you would know if it is a black water leak already!

Is there any chance that the "missle" that hit your front end a few weeks ago went thru and damaged the gray tank?

[Foldbak]

Ok letting ya'll off the hook. Found this

[Lee-CI]

Tony is that water hose spewing water out the 9 o'clock position? I'm suspecting so since you stated we are off the hook. Trying to get a read on what I'm seeing.

I only use a water hose to fill my fresh water tank. If I ever have a pressure leak, my pump will let me know. Glad your issue was minor this go round.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by Lee-CI

Tony is that water hose spewing water out the 9 o'clock position? I'm suspecting so since you stated we are off the hook. Trying to get a read on what I'm seeing.

I only use a water hose to fill my fresh water tank. If I ever have a pressure leak, my pump will let me know. Glad your issue was minor this go round.

YA I had to laugh at myself . Cheap bas@$%^ that I am. Need to get my moneys worth out of that dam hose.....

[Mikendebbie]

Tony -I was looking forward to the pics and the “how to” write-up for taking down the cross bars and coroplast and checking the tanks for leaks. Are you going to deny us the experience of reading such a worthwhile exercise?

[Lee-CI]

Tony's experiences have reminded me of Paul Harvey newscasts: "Stand by for NEWS!"

[Daryles]

Originally Posted by Foldbak

Ok letting ya'll off the hook. Found this

Ok, must know.
What are we looking at?

[C&P RV]

Spraying water hose aside, I do get water leaking in that same front area under the pass through storage bay, but only after driving in rain. I've come to the conclusion that the coreplast seam along the front of the trailer gets water forced in from road spray off the rear truck tires. It will drip for a day or so and then stop.
On my list is to seal along that seam with silicone to see if that fixes the issue.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by Mikendebbie

Tony -I was looking forward to the pics and the “how to” write-up for taking down the cross bars and coroplast and checking the tanks for leaks. Are you going to deny us the experience of reading such a worthwhile exercise?

Sorry to disappoint. You have no idea how close I was to doing that. Had my tools out. Thank god it was just a hose!

[Butch & Kathy]

Originally Posted by C&P RV

Spraying water hose aside, I do get water leaking in that same front area under the pass through storage bay, but only after driving in rain. I've come to the conclusion that the coreplast seam along the front of the trailer gets water forced in from road spray off the rear truck tires. It will drip for a day or so and then stop.
On my list is to seal along that seam with silicone to see if that fixes the issue.

I had the same problem with driving rain in the sunshine state. Sealed around the coroplast and drilled several small holes in the low spots in the coroplast to let the allow water weep out.

[Kfinnert]

Foldbak - I was hoping to experience the whole dropping the underbelly and repair of the water leak vicariously through you! So glad you found the leak!

[Lee-CI]

Originally Posted by Kfinnert

Foldbak - I was hoping to experience the whole dropping the underbelly and repair of the water leak vicariously through you! So glad you found the leak!

Tony is a trooper for sure. He has either repaired or had so many things repaired on his 295RL that I feel like we should just go ahead and send him through the NRVTA academy...

[Nelly]

Hey, I have a 2021 3121RL and had the same problem water in the underbelly. I also believe it came in somewhere while we were driving in heavy rain. I had to poke holes in the bottom to drain the water. Happen twice! Couple of questions, is there insulation inside that gets wet and could cause mold? Also was a sign of hydraulic fluid in the water that came out? But no lose of fluid in the reservoir ? Any suggestions on these questions? Thanks Rich

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by Lee-CI

Tony is a trooper for sure. He has either repaired or had so many things repaired on his 295RL that I feel like we should just go ahead and send him through the NRVTA academy...

LOL

[Kfinnert]

Hydraulic fluid could indicate a small leak in a hose, or it could be a loose fitting. But, then again, it could be residual from a previous installation or repair to the hoses, bleeding the lines to eliminate air, or something from the factory. Water getting into the underbelly of the rig would have washed out some of the fluid.

Based on my experience with my 5th wheel's hydraulic system during service and repair; and having spent many hours on tractor seats working fields and vineyards too, hydraulic fluid seems to seep from God knows where and you'll notice it now and then.

The best recommendation I have is what you are doing, monitoring the fluid levels. If you don't regularly check the fluid levels unless you suspect something is up, then I suggest the marking of the hydraulic fluid reservoir at the fluid level with all hydraulic components retracted and then mark the reservoir when all components are extended. Do not depend upon the factory's markings on the reservoir!

Watch those levels to determine if you have a leak somewhere in the system - the levels will drop. This is the first step to investigating the pool you have under the rig!

[Maddog]

My Montana had similar problem. Between the tanks mine had a cross over pipe between them. It was like they cut a hole in each and just put hose in , not really attached and when gray was almost full it would flow over into belly. Keep tanks not full and problem seems to be resolved. Good luck

[Nelly]

Hey Everyone, was responding to a previous post, I have a 2021 Montana 3121RL, getting rain water in the underbelly only when driving in down pours! Happen twice, first time had to poke holes in the belly to drain the water. My question is, is there insulation in the belly that gets wet? If so is there a concern of mold? What in there? Anyone ever remove the black covering? Thanks Rich

[AZ Traveler]

Originally Posted by Nelly

Hey Everyone, was responding to a previous post, I have a 2021 Montana 3121RL, getting rain water in the underbelly only when driving in down pours! Happen twice, first time had to poke holes in the belly to drain the water. My question is, is there insulation in the belly that gets wet? If so is there a concern of mold? What in there? Anyone ever remove the black covering? Thanks Rich

Rich,

No insulation and no mold concerns.

[Mikendebbie]

Go to YouTube and search “Montana factory tour” and you will find many videos to show the assembly process. The screen shot below shows the black coroplast bottom covered by radiant barrier. I did not look far enough to find a pic showing the floor insulation. I don’t think there are any materials in the space that are conducive to mold growth below the “plywood” floor. The plywood floor is on top of aluminum framing attached to the steel frame in the pic below. Fiberglass batt insulation? Plastic wire insulation? PVC and pex piping?