Black water leaking out from coroplast?

[Charlie405]

Bought at 2021 Cougar 361mbi. Picked it up in the middle of June. Aside from 1 short trip, trailer stayed in an RV Park where we spent the summer. I always drained and flushed, the black tank, when it was 2 thirds full. In September, I drained the tanks, packed up the trailer and went to hook it up to my truck. Because the front jacks were almost fully extended, to level the unit, I had to lower the front to connect it to the truck. As I was lowering the front, what appeared to be black water flowed out if the coroplast from the left, front side of the trailer. I think it was a few gallons, as there was a large puddle on the ground when it stopped.
Sent trailer to dealership, for 90 day service, and to repair some other issues and was told they filled the tanks, and nothing leaked. I had asked them to remove some of the coroplast, and check for mold, and the point of leak. I don't believe I should have to do this on a new fifth wheel. Reguard
less if they didn't duplicate the problem, I'm sure the insulation, and any point that didn't drain, could cause a mold issue, and I still don't have a positive reason why it happened.
Any idea as to what could have happened, suggestions I could make to my dealer to get the bottom removed and cleaned up...
If it was not brand new, and still under warranty, I would do it myself, just to prevent future problems, and give me peace of mind that it is clean down there.

Thanks for any help.🙂

[JRTJH]

You may have a situation where there is no "identified defect" to document and the warranty does not include "janitorial services"... So, there may be a "catch 22" that prevents the dealership from getting authorization to repair (or search for) something they can't identify as a defective component....

Just looking at your post, you stated, "what appeared to be black water"... Was it actual black tank contents or was it "stained water that could have been from the black tank" ??? At this point, there's no determination of where that water came from, so pulling the black tank may not even be close to the possible problem.

In those situations, Keystone usually will not authorize warranty repairs on an unknown problem.

You might want to get with the dealership service manager, ask to see "exactly what he reported to Keystone" (read what was sent for yourself, not just take his word about what he thinks his technician documented on paper)... You may find a "breakdown in communications" or you may find the suspected problem was well documented and Keystone denied further payment to keep looking....

Depending on what's documented so far, your next step may be to elevate the issue at the dealership, to contact Keystone to discuss with them further information they may not have, or it may be that there's simply nothing wrong and warranty doesn't cover "cleanup of spilled black tank contents"...

There's a lot of "unknown" at this point, so I don't think anyone reading your post can give you "the right answer"....

[sourdough]

You are entering the "fog" of a new trailer warranty. If they can't find anything but you think you have something wrong but won't look for it......here comes the "fog".

If there isn't a definite, discoverable problem Keystone will not pay a dealership to spend hours and hours or days to try to simulate an unknown problem a new owner thinks they might have.....they just won't do it. That will ultimately fall on the new owner. As distasteful as it may seem, many if not most owners of new RVs end up sleuthing and repairing issues that come from the factory - quicker, cheaper and far less angst.

I have entered the "fog" quite a few times and found that the easiest way to clear it is to take things into your own hands. Waiting for someone else to clear the fog can leave you in the dark indefinitely.

[jim1]

We had a black tank sensor rust off on our 2019 Cougar and it caused a small but very annoying leak out of the colourplast. I removed the colourplast and replaced the sensor and tightened all the other connections on that tank and the grey tank beside it. Alls good for now. You will be disgusted with the great lack of workmanship and quality you will find under there. While I had it down I fasted the wires up to the frame with tie wraps and just cleaned things up what a mess. Oh well welcome to the pleasure of RV ownership.

[falcondan95705]

On ours the black tank split at the top of the tank. Ours is a two piece tank and the glue separated. I had to remove the cloroplast. Then cut the wires to the sensors and heat blanket. In the storage area remove the wall. Cut the pipes going to the tank. Remove 2 bolts that hold the rail to the tank. Lower the tank and whamo!, there is where the leak is coming from..Fill your black tank to the toilet.. then wait to see if it's leaking.

[fable081]

On my Cougar the Black tank flush was not fully connected and leaked on the corplast next to the tank before finally leaking around my low point drains.
Warranty repaired by dealer.