Missing potable water tank cap

amelia2010tab

Hi! New owner here. I just bought a 2010 Tab Dutchmen (I would have loved a Nucamp but the Dutchmen was in my price range!). I was hoping to take it camping this weekend but instead spent all day yesterday troubleshooting issues. That brings me to the issue of missing potable water tank cap - does anyone know where to find a replacement for the larger fill cap of the 5 gallon potable water tank? It looks like the tank says "Tuco Elkhart Indiana" but lots of googling later I still can't find a cap. I am planning to call a local dealer tomorrow and/or Nucamp... however, I thought I'd post here too! 
TIA! Amelia

Bayliss

@amelia2010tab, would you mind posting a photo of the 5-gallon tank? 

There have been a few inquiries about it in the past, but I have never seen a photo posted.  That would be very helpful for others in assisting you with finding a cap (or replacement tank, which might be the way to go.)

@Mouseketab apparently posted one in June 2020 in this discussion https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/11032/need-my-5-gallon-portable-water-tank-replaced but it is not showing up when I open the discussion thread.  Maybe she will chime in here and can re-post it.

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I kept the below info for future reference in the event a question like yours was posted.  The "Jerry Can" cap suggestion might work.

OLDER T@B 5-GAL FRESH WATER HOLDING TANKS:

Per James Hogan on Facebook, the 5-Gal tank uses the same threads as a fuel jerry can.

@Bayliss note:  Maybe do a Google/Amazon search using terms like:  "jerry can plastic cap"   "plastic screw cap jerry can"    "jerry can potable water"    "jerry can potable water cap"

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By Mark Turney (Facebook 06-03-2023): Contact "plastic-mart" online.  They will make you a custom polyethylene tank with whatever dimensions, and whatever fittings you want, in whatever locations you want.  Used them many times over the years.  They also have many sizes on the shelf, which they put whatever fittings you need onto.  Hint: measure the cabinet height, length, and width, and you will find you can put a larger tank in there.  More water!

Plastic Mart.com - Water Storage Tanks

amelia2010tab

Thank you!!! I had searched but didn’t see that post  I did order a random “hedpack” cap on Amazon that looked like it maaaay fit but it didn’t have the dimensions posted  I’ll try searching “jerrycan” cap or that plastic mart if the “jerrycan” or dealer options doesn’t work out. 

Picture, it is the fill hole on the left that is missing the cap.  

Bayliss

Thanks @amelia2010tab.  Nice to finally see what it looks like.

I did another Google search........ Google Search  Gallon Jerry Can Plastic Food Grade  See if anything there looks like it might work for a replacement water container.

One thing I am not sure of is whether the smaller opening at the back end of your container is an air vent, or if a plastic tube fits in it.  But, if you search for "5 gallon/20 liter food grade plastic water jugs" or similar search words, you may find a good replacement container.  Also, search Amazon, Wal Mart, ebay, etc., using similar terms.  I did see lots of plastic jerry can caps online.  It is just a matter of matching the opening and thread size for your container.

Bayliss

@amelia2010tab, I did a little more searching and found an online sail boat owners discussion about the exact same container, with photos and more manufacturer information.  The individual who was looking for a replacement was unsuccessful.  The person who posted the info/photos also suggested contacting "Plastic Mart."  Maybe the info will be of assistance to you or someone else looking for the same water container in the future.

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/threads/another-222-question.112460/

The "Riblet" mentioned with the tank description likely refers to "John R. Riblet", whom I found a blurb about on the "RV/MH Hall of Fame News":  "Began building trailer frames in 1946 as Riblet Welding which in 1951 became Riblet Products. Founded Guyco (with Guy Riblet, his father) in 1952 to build galvanized roofing for the industry. He was a major force in the founding of Qest which developed plastic plumbing systems and B & B Interiors to develop plastic bath components."

amelia2010tab

Woah that is definitely the same tank!! I ordered a few more random “jerrycan” caps from Amazon to try. I also plan to call the dealer and nucamp tomorrow. I’ll keep you posted! Last resort the “plastic mart” sounds like a good option. The second hole on the right in my picture is where the tube for the sink pump is inserted. 

The other reason I’m going to call the dealer is the lady I bought it from said they inspected it last year and everything was working, and she hasn’t used it since. Toilet definitely isn’t flushing! I got a new battery (and will be getting a trickle charger!), and replaced the fuse… no luck. A former coworker of mine is now an RV mechanic so she may be able to help, but I thought I’d call the dealer that “inspected” it anyway. If you have any words of wisdoms for the Thetford 420C flush (guessing it’s the pump now that I’ve replaced the battery and fuse?) I’d take them! You are incredibly helpful!!! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!! I hope good karma finds you

Bayliss

Thanks, @amelia2010tab.  Hopefully, you will track down a suitable replacement cap.

As far as the toilet not flushing, there could be a number of issues.  I am not specifically familiar with the 2010 Dutchman, or the Thetford 420C (but they are all pretty much the same.)  Assuming you have confirmed that you have 12V and/or AC power to the trailer (with a functioning converter), and that you have a fresh water holding tank and it is filled (at least half full), or the trailer is connected to water from your house or a campground pedestal, and you hear the pump running, it could be a number of issues.  If you don't hear the pump, then it is either the pump or an electrical issue.  If you do hear the pump cycling, it may be that the pump needs to be primed to get air out of the lines and start the water flowing.

After you talk to your former co-worker and/or the dealer/individual(s) who previously inspected the trailer, and you don't get the problem resolved, I suggest that you post a separate discussion to see if you can obtain help from the forum members.  Be sure to be specific in describing what is happening as far as the availability of power, the water source, what the pump is/is not doing, etc.  The more details you provide, the more likely folks will be able to help you out.

If you recently purchased the trailer from a dealer, and they have apparently represented it was all in good working order, you should be pursuing having them figure out and fix what the problem is, at no cost to you, especially if you are encountering multiple issues.

Good luck!

rfuss928

This is a picture of the original Dutchman tank cap and dip tube.  This ultimately connects to the inlet of the pump.  Are you sure there isn't a tube coming from the pump with something like this on the end?  There is a hole in the cap for the tube and a gasket to seal it to a similar piece in the pump tube (top R corner).  My DM is long gone but I found this pic...

amelia2010tab

Update: 

Searching “Jerrycan cap” on Amazon worked! Both ones I bought fit, so I kept the cheaper one. Link: https://a.co/d/fg1cSDu. Thank you @Bayliss for the suggestion!!!!

1. Pic of can with new cap,

The smaller cap with the tube is still there. See pic 2  

1  

2. 


Thank you for all the help!! @Bayliss, I bought it from an individual who paid $1k to have it “inspected” by a dealer 4 months ago.. seems scammy. When I asked her about the toilet she said she hadn’t used it in a year but call the dealer who had inspected it.   I called the dealer today and they said since they didn’t do any work on the toilet and it was working when they inspected it they couldn’t guarantee or warranty anything, but they would be happy to fix it for me (for a fee of course)🤣. I told them no thanks. I trust the woman I used to work with a lot more than a dealer. The toilet is kind of optional since the first two trips we have planned (now, since we didn’t go this past weekend) are to campgrounds that have bathrooms. 

Thank you again for all your help!!!! That keyword jerrycan was perfect!