MASSIVE WATER LEAK RUINED OUR RV - RV LIFE REALITY

[@HappilyEverHanks]

*Items In This Episode* _‣JB Plastic Weld Epoxy_ urlgeni.us/amzn/JBweld _‣Black Diamond Headlamp_ urlgeni.us/amzn/HEADLAMP HappilyEverHanks Amazon Page 📦 urlgeni.us/amazon/HanksStorefront

[@harpazo5486]

You might consider using "Black ABS Cement" . It has solvents in it that will melt the base layer and fuse to the cement. Some folks melt ABS shavings in the cement to thicken it.

[@JDubsPub]

As a full-time RV'er myself, I genuinely admire how positive you both are when stuff like this happens. First the tree and now this. I can certainly empathize with you. Keep the spirits high and soon this will be just another story to tell! #RVLIFE

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you so much for your support 😃

[@worldwide_wes]

So I should just buy two of the same Trailer and use one for spare parts it looks like!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Hey, now that's a smart idea! 😃

[@daviddockstader1773]

Do you know what’s fun ? I’m at home on disability , but it’s so fun to binge watch your videos !! You guys bring me so much joy .

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you for your support David!

[@daviddockstader1773]

@@HappilyEverHanks do you have any Moro stickers “ # ThanksHanks”

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Shoot us an email David [e-mail]

[@Shively15]

I am truly impressed with how calm you are. We just started this full time RV journey with a brand new camper and we have already had to have our control board replaced, batteries replaced, a trailer wiring fault, and a piece of rubber stuck in our slide so we had to have a tech come out and help us put our slide back in.

[@dunnwaiting8368]

We just started and have had a variety of issues as well. Deep cleansing breath. lol

[@valc8758]

Just one thing after another...Yup, feel your pain!!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you very much! Goodness, we are so sorry that this happened to you guys 😕The RV life never stops keeping things interesting does it? Best to you!!

[@charlesmurphy485]

Yeah, My wife and I are newbies also as of September 2021 and we definitely can relate to starting out with rv issues.....lol, we're staying the course

[@HappilyEverHanks]

@@charlesmurphy485 that’s all you can do! Hope to see ya out there one day soon 😀👋🏼

[@kens1039]

I absolutely applaud you guys for your willingness to dive in and figure things out for yourselves. Going down that rabbit hole is the best way to learn!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you so much! It was rough but also fun!

[@tigerlilly66]

Thank you so much for letting us see your disaster and to learn from it. I had a hose burst twice and flood my doghouse (storage compartment). No doubt my insulation at the front end of my 5th-wheel got drenched. I never did drop the belly cover and see to what extent the problem was. I'm in a campgound where we are on rocks/gravel that isn't level, so no chance of getting underneath to do what you tried to do. Please share how it all ended up for you. Praying that you got back on track quickly. Blessings

[@raymondherbst7126]

You guys play so well together or play off each other so well! Keep us up on how the water issue develops and how it is resolved.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

We play nice when the camera is rolling lol - Will keep you updated!

[@NikoNikolov-19]

This exactly to the t what happened to my grand design reflection. Thank you for sharing your experience, it is very helpful. Grand design has the worse plumbing. 6:42

[@brandongorter2497]

We are dealing with multiple leaks on our Grand design right now too 😭 first the underbelly was sagging and we found out there was a ton of water from our hot water heater leaking- got it fixed. then a few weeks ago our carpet in our bedroom was wet and we found out we have a few connections behind the nautilus system that are leaking. Leaks blowww. Love your attitudes about it tho! We just finished our first travel nurse contract in our RV and love it but geesh! We feel your pain. Love following y’all on Instagram and KZbin!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Yes, leaks do blow. We are so grateful this one didn't cause any serious damage (that we know of). You guys have been dealing with some stuff! Safe travels out there and thanks for watching!

[@dougc78]

I’ve been thinking about buying a GD and but this doesn’t instill confidence in the product

[@HappilyEverHanks]

@@dougc78 Each brand of RV has things happen. Our first Grand Design, we had 0 issues with. Lived in it for 2 years before upgrading to the 5th wheel. Sometimes these things happen, hopefully we don’t have any more instances 😬 Great talking with you Doug! We enjoy hearing from you

[@benbonaccorso2053]

We had water in our underbelly as well. Our Grey tank shifted forward a verrrry tiny bit and pulled lose from the inlet tube. We noticed it only leaked as well when the tank was full. This was because that inlet sits at the top of the tank. We had to shift it back, reclamp the ring clamp thing, then secure the thank a bit better so it didn’t shift again

[@dougcarroll6559]

Where was your hot water tank leaking? I’m having the same issue. I see my tank leaking but can’t tell from where and now today realized my underbelly is filling with water.

[@vpelleri1]

I always call it "Home Away From Home Depot". It's great that you kept after it! Love you guys!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Love that! It's so true! Thanks Arthur!

[@vanillalatte47]

Dang! I really admire how you handled the situation (at least on camera....LOL). I can honestly say, I would have been crying and ready to throw my hands up! I hope you get this figured out and get it fixed. Take care and good luck!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you Dee!

[@donaldhofstetter833]

You are the most calm people I have ever seen with RV issues! I know people who would be out there getting ready to set fire to their RV!!!! Anyway need to see part II. Good luck guys.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

More updates coming soon! Thanks Donald!

[@markhaney7332]

That tube was your battery tub drain area. Not a big deal .... easy to replace. It is in case your battery boils over or water gets blown into the battery box tray from the front top vent on the left front of the camper next to the front storage door. Near switch that turns on front cap LED lights.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

That is what we finally discovered too. Glad you jumped in though, we weren't 100% sure! Thanks for sharing and watching our video Mark!

[@ronpa3994]

So sorry to see this happening. Really hope you guys come up with the right solution. It can be a downer but lean on each other. Once fixed better times are ahead. Thinking of you . Ron & Kathy

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you so much Ron and Kathy ❤️ yes, always looking forward and keeping our heads up. It helps reading your awesome comments 😊🙌🏼 stay safe friends!

[@SamRadRV]

You are true RVers!!! You guys are fearless!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you so much!! We really appreciate your support 😊Are you living the RV life??

[@SamRadRV]

@@HappilyEverHanks No unfortunately, I just sell them. I very much enjoy that but I would love to own a small C or B! I’m very impressed by how relaxed you all are taking on this problem.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

That's so cool! We hope that this can happen for you, a class B or C would be SWEET! 😎We hope that we can continue to hear from you! Stay safe 🧡

[@ptsbc941]

@@SamRadRV Sarasota??? I live in North Port lol

[@michellegarry1872]

FlyBoy Troy Cape Coral here!

[@timlord4172]

What a bummer guys! From my experience the best repair is to completely drop the tank, luckily it’s only the grey tank. Usually when they split like that it usually extends to the top of the tank. ABS holding tanks are best repaired with a fiberglass mat and resin, but the temperature must be right for the patch to bond. Unless you have access to a heat lamp don’t try the repair during cold weather. You will need to start at the top and work your way down the side of the tank with the fiberglass patch to ensure a complete repair. The issue is the tanks swell when full and that bracket looks like it completely split the tank all the way up to the top. So I hate to be the barrier of bad news, but you will be ahead of the game by dropping the tank. Had a similar issue with my brother in law’s grey tank and we just bit the bullet and dropped the entire tank! It’s not an easy process but not insolvable with a little ingenuity and muscle power. Hang in there guys, just give yourself some time to complete the process, while saving yourself a ton of money doing it yourself! Take Care -

[@deanlarson1461]

Great comment thanks. :)

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you so much Tim for sharing! We were able to drop it a little bit to get around it but we may just end up getting a new tanks so no issues in the future. You never know! Hope you enjoy your weekend!

[@timlord4172]

@@HappilyEverHanks Always the best option to replace the tank!

[@dangalli1]

@@HappilyEverHanks Yes, I'd replace the tank as well...

[@brianlawliss1080]

Basically the same thing I told them! Thank you for your confirmation!

[@motorcoachtech7615]

It sucks to have problems like that, and to attempt the repairs yourself. Kudos to you! Plastic tanks have a hard life bouncing up an down moving side to side and bellowing slightly ( no matter how they are supported) while travelling all those miles. I seen a sign once and I thought it is appropriate for this situation. "When you are having a bad day, just remember, you have survived everyone………so far”. Good luck and Stay Safe. Rick

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Love that! Thank you for sharing Rick!

[@AndrewEllisAndymanout]

I see the power of positive thought in you two! You got this!

[@cloudsintheozarksoutdoors9538]

A cracked tank is one of my biggest concerns as far as how much work it will take to fix it. Hopefully that never happens in our Solitude but if it does I'll just put on the RV tech hat and get after it. Great attitude guys. Looking forward to the video of how you fixed it. I will save that video in a file. Be safe and Happy trails.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you so much!

[@libertyjacqui5120]

The two of you are inspiring the way you tackle a problem head on. Glad you have best friend helping and that he is a plumber! You got this.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you very much! ❤️😊 it was really nice to have an extra set of hands, we really appreciate all your support!!!

[@Troiaracing78]

Sending positive vibes, me and my wife love your videos, We have learned so much from you guys and have enjoyed your journeys. Although we are not full timers and just weekend warriors we can relate a lot to you guys especially being around the same age as you guys. Keep doing what you guys do, before you no it this issue will be fixed and a good conversation piece that maybe y’all can get a few laughs from down the road. Looking forward to seeing the video when it’s fixed and good to go! 👍🏻

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you so much for your kind words and positive vibes 😃❤️

[@WheelHorseForum]

You’re handling this with grace and dignity, and you have a work around until you can repair it. You got this!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you very much Karl!! You are so kind 😃Stay safe!

[@selenalungstrum7106]

Wow! You are brave! And great attitudes! I would of crawled up in a fetal position and cried. You guys are an encouragement to me. Love you both and praying it gets better, soon.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

The first time we discovered it, we were more upset. Should of filmed our reactions but it was too late. Thank you Selena!

[@selenalungstrum7106]

@@HappilyEverHanks I also loved seeing the underneath after the insulation was removed. I too wondered what it all looked like and where everything was. Thanks for showing.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

So glad you got to come along for the journey :) Keep these great comments coming!! We hope to hear from you again soon on other videos ❤️

[@philrawles3825]

Not sure if anyone else has brought this up, but the best way to fix a plastic tank is with a hot air plastic welder. You can get one and some plastic rod inexpensively as harbor freight. I haven’t fixed a holding tank with one, but I have patched up a windshield washer fluid tank in a car that sees much more vibration and it’s held up for years. It also isn’t dependent on ambient temperature to cure. I’d also add some additional support under the tank near that location to reduce stress and strain and put a piece of felt or carpet there to solve the rubbing issues. You’ve got a great attitude - it’s all part of the adventure. I had so many leaks in my first RV that I just ripped out all the piping and replaced it with PEX. it was a bit of a chore (and I now own a $100 PEX crimper), but it solved the problems permanently. While I was at it I noticed that there was a place at the fresh filler to add a small hose to vent the tank so it didn’t burp air when filling. Night and day difference. I’m sure I added a bit of weight, but I rarely travel with full tanks and the piece of mind was well worth it.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

This is awesome Phil!! We have been hearing this throughout other comments as well, you know your stuff :) Thank you for taking the time to write this out for us :) We appreciate your support and hope to hear from you again soon! #TeamPhil

[@BorahaeJoy]

I’m so so sorry y’all are experiencing this and having to deal with it, especially during the cold winter months! I’m sure there are tears and frustrated mini-screams off-screen but I was so amazed at how well y’all were rolling with the punches! After only a month of living full-time in my RV, I’m learning if I don’t figure out how to roll with the issues that pop up and manage my stress, then I won’t last long. Thank you for being an example of what TO do. Also impressed at your bravery to drop the bottom of the RV… that takes real courage and confidence in yourself that you’ll be able to put it together again! 🤯 Hope you’re encouraged by all the positive comments of us cheering you on from the sidelines. Hang in there and hope you find the solution soon so you can get back to using the tanks normally!

[@kathleenrutherford733]

Pictures of prior and during as well as label things if needed would always have a benefit

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you so much Michelle! You are right about the frustration off camera lol - We had issues in our sticks and bricks as well so we figured this is just life!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thanks for sharing Kathleen!

[@robertnelson2615]

A bulletproof plastic weld is baking soda and super glue. apply the baking soda to the parts, hit it with the super glue, hardens like a rock and water proof.

[@toddanderson1568]

You’ve got a good friend there with Steve. You’re just gonna have to order another tank. No different than a sticks and bricks, or logs and nails in our case, things just break. No worries guys! You got this! Another nice vid.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thanks Todd. We are going to order a new tank soon!

[@CookingwithCatLover0330]

There are days that I think, "I need my hanks". I love watching you. You always make me smile, think and just forget troubles for a little while. ThanksHanks!

[@ellisnelson4795]

Man, I feel for you guys. We have a 2019 385GK that we bought new in 2020. The summer of 2021 our front gray water tank started leaking and filled up our underbelly just like yours. We fought it for the entire summer before we could get it back to our dealer. Fortunately, our extended warranty covered the repair of a hole almost exactly where yours is. We are going to keep a close eye on it since it seems like an error in construction that GD needs to address. Thanks for the video.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

That's good you were able to get it repaired. We are so nervous the same could happen to our black tank. That would be crappy. Thanks for the support!

[@valc8758]

@@HappilyEverHanks 🤣😂🤣 Most certainly, crappy. BTW: I think was the black water tank that dropped on my dad's RV.

[@JeffErdmann]

@14:09 for future repairs try plastic welding, they sell kits on Amazon pretty cheap, you need to find out what kind of plastic the tanks are constructed to order the correct type of "welding plastic". Safety Sally says personal protection is a must!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

This is great to know Jeff!! Thank you for your wonderful comment 😃

[@KathysOutdoorAdventures]

I just wanted to say how proud I am of how well your channel has done...holy cow. I watch all your videos but don't comment cause I am using them on the tv. I don't know if you remember me but I met you a year ago when you first started your channel! You two are such great people! I love watching you!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Hey Kathy! Thank you so much, we got a lot of inspiration from your channel when we first started. Now it's so hard to keep up with so many great channels out there! Safe travels and thank you again for all your support!

[@valc8758]

@@HappilyEverHanks Personally, I think your channel is the best. Some of them are just blah, blah, blah. Others I am sitting here going oh good grief will you just speed it up. But you--I am captivated from beginning to end, laughing like a banshee and hmmmm....That's a great idea!!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

That's so wonderful 🙂This gives us so much positivity and happiness!! We love reading these great comments!

[@mikeweis5925]

If it’s a crack drill an approx 3/16 hole at each end of crack to stop the cracking. Then sand area and wipe clean with denatured alcohol. Assuming the tank is black ABS the best way to repair is to paint on with a small paint brush ABS cement going an inch or two past crack. Then press in a layer of fiberglass screen. Let dry 12 hours. Then repeat entire process 2 more times with 12 hours between each coat. Learned this from RV repair shop. Have repaired 2 grays and 1 black. No failures in years. Do not do this on white water tank. I’m sure yours is repaired or fixed by now but this may help someone else.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

This is great info, thank you so much for sharing! 😃

[@RoamingwiththeRamsays]

I feel for you. We had a similar problem with our Alpine and it was a nightmare. I highly recommend getting water alarms and placing them in potential water leak areas. Once water comes in contact the alarm goes off and you know you have a leak. We have them behind our wet bay, and under our sinks. Good luck...

[@HappilyEverHanks]

That is so awesome. Maybe we should get something like that. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@timothypinto9518]

On our Momentum we had to pull our underbelly from the garage to about 6' ahead of the axles. Our water was from rain slung off the tires. Felt your pain pulling out soaked insulation. Found the water at MorRyde just after having independent suspension installed. The new IS setup was such that I was unable to put back on the factory corrugated plastic. I ended up getting a special order box of 4x8' corrugated plastic from a bigbox home store. Project also used several rolls of Gorilla double sided tape, water proof tape; wide duct tape; self tapping screws; insulation; foam insulation, black caulk, etc. Fortunately our rig was in the driveway for the slow week long repair. I check the tape job whenever I'm under the rig lubricating suspension. I suspect we're all just a wear/fatigue issue away from a holding tank leak.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

That makes sense! Wow, that was a big job to do. You are very handy! Thanks for sharing

[@mtcook111]

Wow, I am so sorry for your leaky tank experience and I hope that you guys were able to continue your trek across the country with minimal disruptions. BUT, without a doubt, this was the most informational video that I have seen in quite some time of the under-belly of a Grand Design RV!! We have a Grand Design Reflection and I now feel a bit more "ready" to diagnose and troubleshoot any potential underbelly issues after watching this video! I hate that "your loss is all of our collective gain", but thank you for showing your experience! Keep posting the vids!!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Hey Mark! That’s why we do it! Thanks a bunch!

[@dwellbig]

I think you guys are on track with replacing the tank. I’ve been in similar situations and there is no good fix when it comes to a cracked plastic tank. No good long term fix anyway. And I would personally find someone to reweld that bracket and maybe a few additional support braces while you are in there. The key to preventing this in the future is preventing any tank movement. Kind of like a nascar driver. The majority of the safety stuff is to ensure they are basically one with the seat in the event of a crash. The minimal the movement in the seat the less the chance they will get hurt. And one of those tanks full is a lot of weight. They need every bit of help they can get to stay in place when full and traveling down the road. Overall this appears to be all too common. I theorize that the RV industry does not actually build these to spec of full tanks traveling down the road. I’ve seen so many brackets break and tanks completely dropped.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

That makes sense, new tank and keep it stable! Thank you for sharing!

[@davidbastow9319]

After watching this, I see why a truck camper is the way for me to go. Everything is accessible, and mostly EZ to fix. Less is more...you two are the greatest, and far more resilient than I have ever been.

[@TheSmallsRVAdventures]

Omg I’m so sorry. I thought by the end you guys would have solved the problem. I was devastated to here that you may need a new tank. I’m so sorry guys. I know you guys will land on your feet. Thank you for sharing the good and the bad with us. I hope it’s not to costly. I can’t wait to see the next episode.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

In the end, we had fun filming and of course exploring the underbelly 🤣 - Thank you so much

[@marissalane1689]

I promise I learn something new everytime I watch your videos. As a new weekend warrior I appreciate all of this ! Much love ❤️

[@HappilyEverHanks]

That's a good thing or a bad thing 🤣- Thank you so much Marissa! Safe travels!

[@donwood55]

Great job keeping your cool. One step at a time always works out. Good luck and safe travels

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you very much for your kindness Don! We will keep you updated as we know more 😊👍🏼

[@suewiltshire8092]

Poor you, water leaks are the worst as they make such a mess. I'm looking forward to seeing how it's resolved. Love your positive attitude, stay strong and safe x

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you Sue, we'll keep you updated!

[@robertawarden907]

You two are hilarious, even in a complete crisis you’re handling it with such positive vibes 🙏🏼👍🏼 #hankstanksstanks 😂 When the under carriage cover dropped on her head, I let out a 😮!! She handled it like a pro. And Kyle you are “the man”!

[@timsteinke2548]

You guys took it in stride glad to see even you have problems and thank you for taking us with you showing how you battle this problem good luck

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you Tim! We thankful for your support 😀

[@johnberger2894]

I am interested in seeing the tank replacement if you are able to film that. Bummer that happened but you guys jumped right in to tackle the job!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

No doubt John! We will keep you updated with repairs 😃👍🏼 thank you for watching!!

[@nathanroden4941]

I am very impressed with your relationship and patience. That being said, the experiences I have witnessed from full-timers on KZbin have convinced me that I will never consider owning an RV. I might rent one. But I doubt it.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

So sorry Nathan if we are scaring you away from the RV life. The adventures and different views all the time make up for all the mishaps!

[@nathanroden4941]

@@HappilyEverHanks You have a good situation. You're both young and able to roll with the punches. But I have friends who have been forced to wait months on RV repairs. It's great to be able to do the work yourself, but I'm too old and cranky for that. Having some kind of catastrophic failure at 2 in the morning and lying on the ground trying to locate problems and then locating a Camping World is not for me. I wish you the best. Your videos are entertaining.

[@roamingwolfpack]

So sorry to hear this! My guess is the actual weight of the water in the tank caused the perforation to open back up! Good luck with the repair can't wait to see how it goes next!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you for your kindness! Yes, I think you are spot on!! We will keep you updated as we know more :)

[@tree_monkey3120xp]

Man I so hate yall are dealing with this leaks send me next level so I totally get the frustration! Keep game planning I hope you can get it fixed! Thanks for sharing!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you Jose, you are so kind and supportive!! 😊We will keep you posted as we know more!

[@maryrinkevich9275]

You’ve got this! Eager to see the outcome but loving how you’re working together to work the process and come up with a solution. Okay, Ney Ney’s geeking out over the underbelly is pretty funny too🤣🤣🤣

[@valc8758]

Really cool to see the underside on the inside.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

That underbelly was so fun! Of course this is Ney Ney replying! 🤣Updates coming soon!

[@amariejackson08]

oh man, I like how calm you kids are! cuz getting the drama on, never helps

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you very much Annette 😊It has been stressful, but we are getting through it one step at a time! Have a wonderful week!!

[@caseypries7559]

I'm sure someone has already mentioned that the tank has to be plastic welded to be repaired properly. Another great job by grand design.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Yes, it would need plastic welding

[@The-Bankster]

Polyethylene epoxy works just as well.

[@caseypries7559]

@@The-Bankster I'm not sure I'd trust any sort of glue. Besides, one of the worst parts is just getting to the tank.

[@The-Bankster]

@@caseypries7559 It's EPOXY specifically made for polyethylene. You put it on just like fiberglass. You actually use fiberglass cloth. Welding is certainly a good option as well. Hasn't leaked a drop on me in two years and I boondock almost exclusively.

[@RVstreet]

From reading the comments it looks like your going to replace the tank. That's the best option. But before you install the new tank, go to Tractor Supply and buy some rubber floor matting. It's cheap. Cut a wide strip and glue it down to that support brace. Make sure that strip is wide enough to roll over the front leading edge of the support bar. This rubber strip will act as a cushion between the tank and the support bar and cover the metal edge to prevent it from chaffing on the new tank.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

That’s a really great point, we definitely need to have that addressed. Would be such a bummer to have this happen again Thank you for all your support and insight! Stay safe

[@RVstreet]

@@HappilyEverHanks 👍 😎

[@SaraSparkles]

Oh man guys I’m so sorry to see this happening. Guys i don’t know how much editing you did but it seems like you handled that with grace and support. I’m proud of you both. I hope that this fix gets you through to a long term option and you find a great deal on that when you have to make the swap.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

What we didn't capture was the first time seeing the leak under the RV. Our faces were a little different then. lol Thank you so much Sara!

[@porkchop10]

Always impressed with how you guys find silver linings! If nothing else, it offered an opportunity to beef up the R Value of the insulation, and wedge some rubber in between the tank and brace rubbing on it.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Good to know, thanks for sharing!

[@danleone6718]

Oh boy, I am the same way It would drive me nuts to not finish a project that day! Our family has hit the road for our first stretch (NC, FL & TN) and this (Water) is my nightmare. Have my fingers crossed for you guys best of luck with the repair.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Yes!!!! So relatable Dan! We really appreciate your support, best to you and your family in your first stretch of travels 😀😀🙌🏼 we look forward to hearing from you again soon, stay safe!!

[@juliepi-k1114]

Oh no! I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with this. I’m sure by now you are all sorted out. You’ve certainly had your challenges this year! You always seem so calm in the face of all these issues - that must be the nurse in you - inside you might be shaking but you appear calm, competent, clear thinking and you assess the situation, come up with a plan and implement it. I hope you don’t mind me getting a bit personal here but I just admire you two so much. You’re a lovely young couple - you remind me very much of my daughter and her fiancé. It’s obvious how much you love and respect and support each other and it’s clear that you are a true team. I wish all the best things in life for the two of you and even when things aren’t terrific it’s clear you’ll be there supporting and loving each other through it all. Thank you for sharing your experiences and humour with all of us!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you so much for such a sweet comment Julie! Made our day!

[@uimgoogle3033]

Partner and I are preparing to start our RV living journey! We are both very excited and nervous. Because we are 28 as well. Both working remote jobs and figured this would be the best time to ever do this. :D

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Hey Matthew! That is so right and the reason we did this lifestyle as well. If you love seeing something new all the time, you'll love it! It makes up for all the issues along the way lol

[@uimgoogle3033]

@@HappilyEverHanks we have been watching yalls videos like crazy ha! And our Truck is on order. I'm thinking by May we should be able to hit the road. And the closer it gets the more it's setting in that we are doing this. I'm used to being gone because I work on the Mississippi River and am. Away from home for half the year anyways. For her not so much.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Love this!! We are so happy that you have been taking the time to comment, keep these great comments coming!! You guys are absolutely going to rock it 😎Much love to you all from the Hanks family, we look forward to hearing from you again soon 🧡

[@uimgoogle3033]

Well thank you! It's not often someone actually comments back to their video on KZbin it seems. We look forward to possibly running into you two down the road one day. I love the positive attitude that you two have. We plan on attempting our own channel as well. And lord that is gonna be a tough one for us because we have never done something like that. So heres to dreaming! 😂

[@HappilyEverHanks]

We look forward to this as well :) We hope to see you out there one day soon!! So happy you guys are going to try your own channel, that is AWESOME!!

[@stephaniebodle5180]

You got this it’ll all work out, kudos and good job finding and trying to get repaired

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you Stephanie!

[@ourlifeofadventure1754]

Aw guys, what a bummer! I'm sure you will figure it out. Might not be a bad idea to put felt or something soft over that I-beam before you put the new tank back in. Hang in there Hanks!❤️

[@HappilyEverHanks]

That is a great idea! Thank you guys so much!! You make our day reading these comments ❤️😊

[@larrybrackley3249]

What a great way for me to start the day being able to experience " leaky tanks with the Hanks " ... do you think this is something that has be going on for awhile and finally wore a hole in the tank or is this an area Grand Design worked on and now it starts rubbing a hole in the tank ... whatever it is thanks for letin us experience another episode of " Tanks with the Hanks " ... be careful ... have fun ... take care of each other. Larry and Cathy

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you guys!

[@kenpolzel412]

So sorry, you guys seem to be handling this well! I would be very stressed out over minor issues let alone this water leak.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you very much Ken 😊We appreciate your kindness and support!

[@coastalcricket1747]

Oh my my!! Well we feel your pain…we have been having issues with our RV … water leaks!!! We have had our RV since July 2021… after traveling to our new location, few days later we had a huge leak under kitchen sink…easy fix(things get loose traveling down the road. It was a connection to water line) When contract ended we headed to Central Texas. No issues. Well 2 weeks ago hubby got contract extended until June at Hospital. So we upgraded our spot in the same park. And we have been battling leak here leak there!!! In saying all of this…I laughed watching y’all’s video cause that’s exactly how we feel!!! We are scheduling service for our RV cause we have a few other things we want them to handle. We are full time TV living with 2 rescue dogs. It’s so nice to know there are folks like y’all that have adopted this lifestyle in a positive way. So many thanks to The Hanks sharing your experiences with the rest of us!!! Hope to see y’all on the road!! Trust the Journey ~ Chris (The Cancer Killer) CrickEt (Coastal CrickEt) Fur babies Mikey & Kieffer

[@coastalcricket1747]

Correction: Full time RV Living…Not TV living Bwahahaha

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you guys for sharing and your kind words! It's a great life but not a bulletproof one! Keep rocking it out there 😃

[@NGLCOCONUTS]

You guys have such a positive attitude with all this I love it. I hope it’s fixed I’ll be tuning in to find out! We had a leak in the front underbelly of our fifth wheel the year after we bought it. Still under warranty I took it in and they found a cut in the cold water line that must have started small and got bigger over the winter. The tech gave me a valuable piece of information, he said to check for a water leak in the feeding lines fill the fresh tank and run the pump. The pump only runs when the lines lose pressure from an open faucet. If the pump runs with everything closed you’re losing pressure in the lines which your leak is somewhere in there.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you Neil! That's a great idea, we appreciate you taking the time to pass this along to us 😃Sorry that you had a leak as well, that's frustrating!

[@pamelamargroff5836]

Prayers for patience repairs and good friends...a great lesson for us all. We are with you. Everything is a lesson; think what you are learning. You got this. 😊

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you so much Pamela! ❤️😃

[@markhaney7332]

Since we have the exact same model of camper as you, we are always curious as to what challenges others are facing .... hope your leak gets fixed! One item to look out for - the bathroom vanity is prone to dropping down a little on the right side (if it drops too much it can hit the floor). The fix was simple - add a couple of screws to the inside of the vanity (take out lower drawer) that go through the wood and bolt into the closet structure. I noticed a small gap in the vanity countertop caulk - this showed where the vanity was slowly dropping. Now it is flush with the caulk and secured to the closet structure. Always little things to watch out for - others have had the same issue on the S2930RL.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you so much for sharing Mark! We'll look out for that for sure!

[@billlakie1127]

Bummer guys but appreciate the way you two are working through it. Thanks for the enjoyable content. Some of the manufacturers use a foam seal at the top of the tanks to mitigate movement and cracking. It will not leak if the water is contained in the tank or passing by. As you filled the system until is was not drain the sink it could be the pressure was causing it to leak past the foam seal. Just a thought. I really hope you end up getting a new tank.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

That is a great idea! Thank you so much Bill!

[@lorirouleau4303]

Oh man hang in there you guys! At least you have friends to help you. Hopefully you can get this taken care of quickly. Keep your chins up!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you so much Lori!! Yes, Steven was such a great guy to take some time to help us 🧡Much love to you from the Hanks family 🤗

[@bryankurn4848]

Welp we are pins and needles for this out come. Never a dull moment for the happy 😊 hanks. I hope your able to get a dry moment for this mini crisis. Sad 😔 it happened but hoping for a great resolve. Chin up hanks you 2 don't know the meaning of give up.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you for your kindness Bryan! We will be sure to keep you updated as we know more :) You make our night reading this! Cheers friend

[@danandpamguthrie8237]

I wonder if this could relate back to the tree falling on your camper. Possibly the shock of the hit caused the tank to split? I fear you may find other things happening due to the hard hit the camper took. Kind of like in a bad car accident and then later things break that were affected but you didn't realize it at the time. anyway, just a thought. Hope you get it sorted out soon. Love your videos!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

We are thinking the same thing! Thank you guys!

[@joeandcolleenpartington6810]

Water leaks are the worst. We had been staying at a seasonal site last summer and I installed a new shower head. While we were out the head fell and turned on the tub faucet. Needless to say we came home to a flood! We have since made sure we shut ofd the water when we are not at the site. We also installed Ring with alarm freeze and water sensors. This has been a game changer. I have placed them under the sinks and at the water pump wet bay connections.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Hey Joe and Colleen! You are so right, they are the worst! Goodness, so sorry that this happened to you guys, the RV life never ceases to keep things interesting. We will have to look into those Ring alarms! Thank you so much for this!!

[@janiceweigold8626]

Very sorry to see this happen to you guys. You handled the situation very well 👏. Good luck resolving your leak problems. Looking forward to seeing you in Tampa with your problems in the rear view mirror. #Steve-O. 👍👍

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you so much Janice! See you soon!

[@EmbraceTheExperience]

Love how you all take a negative situation and turn it into a story where you’re positive the whole time!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thanks so much!

[@macc3936]

So my first reaction was "omg can't carl and nay nay catch a break!!" then I saw how calm you both were and was like..."compose yourself women!" LOL So sorry to see this happened! Thanks for showing us the underneath though, We appreciate it! And I know it's a little late now, but for the future maybe look into the wireless bluetooth leak detectors. Govee makes some good products and I like their sensors. Inexpensive and I've added more on later. We keep under every sink, behind toilet, 3 different spots in basement. (2 behind the wall) And monthly we try to check behind the wall just to keep a eye on things. Good luck with everything! Check with GD because I would think that is a design flaw/mistake that shouldn't have happened. Maybe we'll see you in Tampa! Coming up out of Everglades NP on the 22nd to Clermont, thinking of going on the 23rd. Good luck, keep the good vibes going!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you so much! You sound like you know your stuff. That device sounds worth it!

[@Haznavy]

Man-o-man, I feel for you. We've had to replace five (5) of our holding tanks in four (4) months in our GDRV 285BHTS. Started with the black tanks and progressed to the grey and fresh water tanks. All the same product run on the tanks, except for the fresh water. GDRV replaced ALL the tanks without question.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Oh that's good to know! Thanks for sharing 😃

[@BradLMN]

I am sure the question of what tube was tore apart when the underbelly dropped, but, my guess is it is the drain for the battery compartment above. Great job on tracking down the leaks! 👍

[@RollinHome]

Yah I was going to say it’s the vent for the batteries too.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you so much!! Yes, I believe you are spot on with the battery ventilation aspect :)

[@Marie-qq6ei]

But where are the batteries, relative to that tube? It looks to me like the tube is directly below your roughed-in generator location. So my thought would be genny exhaust.

[@daveanderson4000]

We also have a Grand Design Solitude with almost the exact the same problem. When are shower gray tank is full it too will leak water on to the coroplast sheet. What I believe is happening to your tank is 2 leaks. You have a split in the tank where you repaired but the tank maybe also leaking from the vent pipe on top of the tank. The vent pipe is not glued to the tank, it is sealed using a rubber gasket. The gasket either has a poor seal when manufactured or it may shift or degrade over time. When the tank is over filled it leaks out the top just as yours did after you did a test fill after the repair. For the time being we are using the shower but carefully monitor the gray tank level and empty the shower tank frequently. We will wait for warmer weather than tackle this problem. Good luck to us both on fixing this PITA problem.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Oh no way! So sorry to hear this Dave 😕That sounds spot on, we are thinking that we will need to get the tank replaced and bring this to Grand Designs attention. We will keep you updated as we know more! Thank you for your support, we hope that we can continue to hear from you!!

[@worldwide_wes]

3:18 “actually it just” 😂😂

[@HappilyEverHanks]

🤣 Thanks for watching!

[@mike_adams]

What a way to start the new year. Just quickly hitch up to one of those new rigs at the Tampa RV show while no one’s looking and move the sale sticker and brochures to your rig sitting in the parking lot. 😀. Great underbelly tour NayNay! Following your journey to repair, good luck.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Love that idea 🤣 Thank you Michael!

[@tumbleweed4185]

You have done a lot of the difficult diagnosing and detective work at this point. Congratulations! You have many good contacts with the technicians at Grand Design following your recent tree rebuild and all of the great people you met at the rally a couple months ago. I think it is time to organize you thoughts, take detailed pictures, make a big list of the difficulties you are facing and "Phone a Friend" at Grand Design. Let them guide you through the repair and get it fixed correctly. You are doing a great job so far. It's time to bring in the big guns and call for help.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

That is true, we figure they are so busy all the time since technicians are in high demand. We like to play the detective game once in a while! Thanks for watching and all your support!

[@jojohnston4113]

@@HappilyEverHanks maybe GD would just send you a new tank and let you do the tech part of replacing it...?

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Hopefully so, we are working on reaching out to us now. They are probably so sick of hearing from us 😆

[@tumbleweed4185]

@@HappilyEverHanks GD tech covers phone, looks at his friend and says, "Guys, it's CARL again......" #helpme

[@HappilyEverHanks]

🤣🙌🏼 That's hilarious!

[@terriwall7931]

So sorry for your troubles. It was good to see the teamwork though. It makes me want to go check all of our shower/sink/faucet connections. Unfortunately it is in winter storage right now. Looking forward to see a follow-up video.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you Terri, we tried to keep a clear head about us throughout the whole process. It's been a lot to handle, but hopefully we will have some new updates soon! Stay safe ❤️

[@BlackthornBetty]

Omg you guys have been through so much lately. Could this damage have happened during the fix of the tree damage? I hope things get better for you two soon. 💚

[@HappilyEverHanks]

We are thinking it may have! Thank you Candice!

[@Kevintherubiconjeep]

@@HappilyEverHanks I suspect it did. The energy transfer from that sort of thing is incredible.

[@donnavernon7023]

I am so sorry you 2 are having to deal with the water issue. Prayers for fast fix. I dread having to deal with this. You 2 take everything in great stride. Love you guys!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you so much Donna!

[@jcfra420]

Just saying, I would not be laying under there personally without some safety blocks. All it takes is one jack to fail and smush.

[@MidLifeJourney]

Sorry you guys are having to go through all that. Jouppi Outdoors did a video about repairing his tank once. I think he had to put a fiberglass patch on it. We also put a leak detector behind the wall in our pass thru. It works pretty good for early leak detection. Best of luck! Chris and Barbara

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you both so much!! We appreciate you sharing this with us 🙂Stay safe out there!!

[@crprovost]

That tube may be a vent for the battery compartment. Just an idea.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

You are correct! That is what we determined later on since it lead right to the battery! Thanks for watching and sharing!

[@esthermcgough3995]

Awe no rest for you . Praying you get this fixed soon. Love you

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you Esther!! We really appreciate your support 😊 Much love to you from the Hanks family

[@rko517]

That’s a bad design. Tanks should have to have straps across them to provide support just like a fuel tank. The tank should never just sit directly on the metal frame. Without straps I’m sure it has just enough movement to rub the frame.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Yes, we hope to get some of the straps and prevent some of that wear and tear like you mentioned 👍🏼 we appreciate your support and hope to hear from you again soon 😀👋🏼

[@thomasbaird3204]

3m 4200 will stick to plastic and seal leaks. Great job diagnosing the problem and remaining positive.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

We also thought about Eternabond but wasn't sure! Thanks for the advice!

[@bo5965]

Sending you all good fix-it vibes ! Your positive attitude is more than half of the battle! Thanks to you all for the video and thanks to # steve-o for all the expertise .

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you Bo 😊This is very kind of you to say!! You rock!

[@markrauenswinter7702]

Dont know if you can get to the whole crack or not. Harbor freight sells a plastic welder. Its basicly a soldering iron with plastic wands you melt into the crack. I used it on my front bumper of an Explorer. Not pretty but is holding fine. Just a thought. Good luck.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Oh this is such a great idea Mark!! Thank you for taking the time to write this out for us, best to you 😊👋🏼 we hope to talk to you again soon!!

[@moore_2_explore]

First problems up top--now fixed, then problems below... Love how you guys jump in and tackle it..... all while filming no less! Folks may not realize how challenging it can be to try to do both simultaneously. I'll bet Dex napped right thru all the fun.😉 Be Well!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

He sure did! He got all 6 naps in during the whole event 😆 - Yes, you know how it goes with filming and stuff. We can't do anything around the RV without grabbing a camera! Thank you so much!

[@markwillis7116]

Well I like that your showing your trailer , I’m a technician and found the best patch is a resin repair kit designed for radiator repairs it binds to plastic and metal and is at the automotive stores , if you found using this stuff you will know it’s like all-most instant and will seal any tank it also has a fiberglass mesh for the harder to do repairs. It allso works great on other plastic repairs like bumpers that have striped screws it can be drilled or tapped too. Just ask for raidiator repair kit the one with the fiberglass mesh it cost about 10 bucks , Happy Adventures

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Wow you know your stuff! Thanks for the great info!😃

[@kayefink8293]

Yikes!!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Not a fun time 😕Thank you for taking the time to watch Kaye!! We really appreciate your time and support ❤️

[@jonathanmozingo1]

Yep, sanding the smooth plastic will really help the JB Weld or other epoxy adhere to the surface. Also the dry time is really important. But as complicated as it is, dropping the tank will give you the best picture of what is going wrong.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Good to know! Thank you Jonathan!

[@mcdona98]

Ok, here is a fix I’ve used in the past… Get a soldering iron and melt the crack back together. I know that sounds weird, but it works. No matter what you do to try to glue it back, it will always fail. If you can melt / weld it back, it’s a permanent fix. A lot of other tanks (gas, water) are fixed like this, just takes some patients. Good luck!

[@chartrand49036]

Plastic welding is basically what this is and he's right, it's the best way to fix these tanks, resins don't hold up long term. If it's a crack drill then ends to stop the tear. If you need filler material, milk cartons are a good cheap choice. But at the end of the day the best solution is a new tank.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Wow thank you so much for this Bryan! You are so awesome for taking the time to write this out for us 😃

[@HappilyEverHanks]

This is really great to know Patrick! We kind of figured we will have to get a new tank. Currently reaching out to Grand Design now :)

[@mikea7942]

WOW. Like others have commented, you guys sure are calm. Always nice to have a pro around.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thanks Mike!

[@AlliChuckAdventures]

First lol

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Hey guys!! Thanks for stopping by!

[@AlliChuckAdventures]

Not sure why but always wanted to do that lmao. Miss you guys!

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Miss you guys too!! Stay safe 🧡

[@chrischapman276]

In my 33 footer I had the same symptoms. After tearing out the undercover and using my inspection camera, utilizing around 20 hours of finally finding the pressure line ABOVE THE BLACK TANK needing repair that also was blowing the water upward to the underside of the flooring! Awe... the good ol' black tank drop! Nothing but a bunch of fun doing that job! Finally got it repaired just in time to sell it before our move.... at least the new owner had the floor repaired and no more leaks... One thing I added before replacing the tanks was putting a rubber strip along where the tanks would sit on the frame of the coach to keep from what happen to yours to not be possible/less likely to happen. Just a look to a possible future.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

That is such a great idea with the rubber strip. Thank you for sharing!

[@chrischapman276]

@@HappilyEverHanks SEE! I told you I'm super all smarts and stuff! Excuse me as I go cheer in the street that someone said something I said wasn't stupid!!! A day to remember for the rest of life... Awwwe..... Alright... enough! You're quite welcome. I'm wondering maybe a bike innertube and cut to what ever works. It'll take a "few" of them so get the bigger ones and also the ones that say they are stronger against popping/holes. It's made of thicker rubber. Best of luck guys. Be safe!

[@SaraSparkles]

Also thanks for the underbelly visual the hubby had to change out a valve handle at the joint area. (Took him two days bc people would stop ask questions and offer options, so count yourself lucky no one came out to “see what was going on”) but i had no idea what he was doing underneath or what it looked like. I’m not allowed to use power tools (it’s a long story and not at all valuable for this situation) so i was so excited you got to use one. When i turned to my husband he already was saying “no”.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

🤣😭I (Ney Ney) most of the time, just got in the way! If it weren't for filming, I would of been inside napping with Dexter!

[@kellieoverturf3244]

Oh man leaking water and cold weather! I'm so sorry! I hope it is actually fixed by now.

[@HappilyEverHanks]

Thank you so much Kellie!