Underbelly

AT

atripp

Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2025
Posts
19
Location
NC
I have a 2 part question on my 285CK Sunset Trail

On one of our recent outings on the day we were leaving, I noticed a leak underneath the kitchen area. It had not leaked at all before then. The kitchen gray tank sensor indicated full so I can only imagine the leak is somewhere once the tank is getting full. I also noticed the underbelly had been cut under this same area (shame on me for not taking the time to have an inspection) and taped up. Fast forward to our last trip and after checking in, I noticed all the tape hanging down underneath so I assume it all got wet from the leak and caused it to no longer hold. I ordered a roll of flex mend underbelly repair tape (4" wide) and re-taped this area. The next morning we were leaving I noticed all the new flex mend I had put on was coming off and not sticking. I pull it off and now I'm back to square one. How to I fix these spots and is there a tape that will stick. I almost want to replace this whole section - does anyone know exactly what the underbelly is - it almost looks like coroplast. I actually just googled it and I see it sold by the roll on RecPro.

Second part is do anyone have an idea of what may be leaking as the kitchen sink gray tank is getting full? I had a camping neighbor tell me to just leave this valve open with the sewer hooked up since its only the kitchen grey tank until I can find the leak and repair.
 
A couple questions, when you say it’s full is that because shower is backing up or your panel says it’s full. On some RVs the vent in the kitchen may not be a pipe thru the roof but a cap under the counter that may not be longer working. Is it possible to remove sheeting from underside to see gray tank, then fill with clean water till shower shows water or you can see leak. There are many places that could leak, every connection
 
It's the gray tank at the back that the kitchen sink drains to not the one for the shower and bathroom sink. I have 2 gray tanks .
 
Then that is the tank to fill. My old 5th wheel had black, grey and galley tanks , I miss 3 tanks
 
When I had a leak, I cut three sides of the underbelly so it was like a trap door. Then I used a piece of wood, held it in place with it overlapping the cut hole and used a couple wood screws to screw in place. Then closed the flap onto the overhanging wood and used another wood screw and screwed the door closed. Then used wide black gorilla tape to tape the seamed. Hasn’t came off in a year.
 
Papa-T-XRD said:
When I had a leak, I cut three sides of the underbelly so it was like a trap door. Then I used a piece of wood, held it in place with it overlapping the cut hole and used a couple wood screws to screw in place. Then closed the flap onto the overhanging wood and used another wood screw and screwed the door closed. Then used wide black gorilla tape to tape the seamed. Hasn’t came off in a year.
Click to expand...
I'm assuming you placed the wood on the "inside" of the underbelly and not the outside that you would see?
 
It definitely wasn't cold but I definitely didn't spend any time cleaning it either. It didn't look dirty but that doesn't mean it wasn't.
 
Do you know which particular Gorilla tape - there are a few different versions.
 

Product details​

  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.36 x 5.36 x 2.86 inches; 1.74 Pounds
  • Item model number ‏ : ‎ Tough & Wide
  • Date First Available ‏ : ‎ January 29, 2021
  • Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ The Gorilla Glue Company
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08V4DXTRZ
  • Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
  • Best Sellers Rank: #180 in Industrial & Scientific (See Top 100 in Industrial & Scientific)
 
First thing open up the old inspection area and find the leak. If the under belly was cut there once before odds are it has leaked in the past. Second when putting the under belly back together do like one of the others said cut a few pieces of wood that will over hang the cut area. Screw them to the inside. Then tape the entire area with Eternabond tape. Suface should be clean.
 
A old camper repair guy told me to use Gorilla tape but after the tape was applied to heat it with a heat gun. He said it makes the glue on the tape bond better. I have tried it and worked for me.
 
I have the same model from 2022 and we also have had a similar leak from the kitchen grey tank after allowing the sink to backup (whoops). I have not had the issue again, also haven't allowed it to be that full.

I have all but concluded that the leak actually is due to the plumbing air vent under the sink. Which when the sink is plumb full is able to be filled with water and has a slow leak that then manifests as small drips from the underbelly at the tank drain.
 
bhamilton said:
I have the same model from 2022 and we also have had a similar leak from the kitchen grey tank after allowing the sink to backup (whoops). I have not had the issue again, also haven't allowed it to be that full.

I have all but concluded that the leak actually is due to the plumbing air vent under the sink. Which when the sink is plumb full is able to be filled with water and has a slow leak that then manifests as small drips from the underbelly at the tank drain.
Click to expand...
What do you mean your sink backed up? How did that occur? I back filled 30 gallons using a valterra flush valve and flow meter and think our leak was at the exit pipe connection. Tightened the clamp a few turns and didn't see any more dripping. Now to seal it all back up and hopefully don't see any more drips :)
 
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