Don't forget to rinse out your fresh water tank

[alien_scones]

Apparently the previous owner of this camper never used the fresh water tank.

Any suggestions on how to clean this out?









Or better yet, any recommendations on where to purchase a new tank?

[raineman]

Maybe buy a replacement? That is pretty bad. Not sure what that would cost

[JRTJH]

It may be a "photo illusion" but it looks like there's a chunk of wood inside the tank. I'm at a loss to explain how a wood cutout got in the fresh water tank, but it's got to come out !!! But looking at it from another perspective, it may just be the way the light is hitting the tank and shining through that makes it look like a block of wood ????

One you get all the "big chunks" out of the tank, it's just a matter of using mechanical abrasion (bottle brush) and soap and water to clean the inside. Some elbow grease, lots of hot water and Dawn, let it soak, scrub some more and rinse well. A replacement 40 gallon water tank will cost you upwards of $150 plus shipping. Keep in mind that shipping will be by truck, so that will probably make a new tank "cost prohibitive".

The plastic in tanks is "food grade polyethylene" so it isn't harmed by being dirty. No need to replace it, just clean it, sanitize it and you'll be "good to go".... But that chunk of wood???? (If that's what it is) It looks like a section of the floor sandwich, OSB/foam/OSB, but I can't, for the life of me, understand "WHY" it would be inside the tank ?????

If I were you, I'd remove the wood (or other big chunks), clean the tank, reinstall it and go camping. No need for a new one as long as this one doesn't leak.

Good Luck !!!!!

[alien_scones]

It's not wood, just layers and layers of a little ecosystem.

I stuck a tank wand sprayer to blast some of the gunk off, and it doesn't want to come off...

I'm tracking down a replacement tank here in Fort Worth... going to be around $200-300

[GaryWT]

I'd replace it. The other option is to fill it with straight clorox or the like and let it soak for awhile and then clean it some more. Good luck.

If you order it through a dealer and pick it up you might not have a shipping cost.

[GmaPaTime]

Just a thought, try using a pressure washer wand with the pressure lowered.

[arwenmark]

Great one more thing I didn't think to worry about when picking up our used Sprinter FKMS trailer this Saturday. Wonder how I even get a look at the tank.

We bought as is and so any problems are ours, now they tell me it will be $100. for a walk through!

I definately think a new tank is in order for you.

[LM3929]

to clean rust out of fuel tanks i have used a short length of 1/2 " chain and rotated the tank between cleaning

lorne m

[UsTwo]

Originally Posted by arwenmark

Great one more thing I didn't think to worry about when picking up our used Sprinter FKMS trailer this Saturday. We bought as is and so any problems are ours, now they tell me it will be $100. for a walk through!
.

WHAT. !!! They want you to pay for a walk through. ??? I have never heard of that....

[UsTwo]

Oh yea.. check this out >>>>http://stuccu.com/s/Rv+Fresh+Water+T...FY0AaQodvJsAqg

[GaryWT]

Originally Posted by UsTwo

WHAT. !!! They want you to pay for a walk through. ??? I have never heard of that....

Usually the cost is buried in the total cost.

[Pmedic4]

I would first just fill the tank with water and about 1/2 gallon of bleach, and let it sit overnight. You'd be surprised how much the bleach removes all the junk on the sides of the tank. Flush and do it again with less bleach, like 2 cups.

I'd be willing to bet if you do that, and post the pictures again, it will look brand new.

There is also on eBay some new tanks for $40 for a 20 gallon tank to $70 for a 42 gallon tank, but the fittings may not be the same as your RV tank. That's where you'll find those $300.00 tanks!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/3712502...lpid=82&chn=ps

[theeyres]

Originally Posted by Pmedic4

I would first just fill the tank with water and about 1/2 gallon of bleach, and let it sit overnight. You'd be surprised how much the bleach removes all the junk on the sides of the tank. Flush and do it again with less bleach, like 2 cups.

I'd be willing to bet if you do that, and post the pictures again, it will look brand new.

There is also on eBay some new tanks for $40 for a 20 gallon tank to $70 for a 42 gallon tank, but the fittings may not be the same as your RV tank. That's where you'll find those $300.00 tanks!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/3712502...lpid=82&chn=ps

The whole bleach thing sounds good to me. I'd sure give that a try before you buy a new tank. I don't think it looks as bad as some. A lot of gunk and mold, for sure, but I'll bet a couple of strong bleach washes will make it look just fine.

[Stew]

Might even try going to a pool supply store and getting some bromine tablets to drop in for a few days with a full tank of water. Then rinse well. Use these on water fountains to keep the science experiments down...

[alien_scones]

I purchased a replacement tank, but when it arrived I found it was a little too tall for the gravity fill.

Took the bleach advice on the old tank. 3 gallons bleach and 72 hours later:





Thanks for the advice, wish I tried it first.

[frankenstang]

I have to pull the underbelly on our used 312bh to see the tank. We camped this weekend but had water hookup. I'm scared to look at the on board tank now. Glad the bleach worked. Keep rinsing that sucker to make sure the bleach is gone.

[cathcartww]

Remember a little hint from the Clorox website: if it is necessary to use a strong bleach solution, after a couple of good fresh water rinses, fill the tank with a solution of hydrogen peroxide and let it soak a while. The hydrogen peroxide will neutralize any remaining bleach. Then rinse one last time. You want to try and find 25 or 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide - try health food places - a little pricey, but does the job.