Fifth Wheel Propane Tank Mounting Straps Broken

babun wrote:
Your new clamps won't last too long if mounted the same as shown in your pic.
Note the cracks near the last screws holding into the body. This is causing
the clamp to bend from the flat sheet metal body side into a round tank shape.
Move the two mounting screws closer to the middle screw, allowing a less of a
shape bend of the clamp. Think like 9th grade math class......a tangent against
a circle...

Great suggestion, and makes perfect sense. Thanks.

Jim

Your new clamps won't last too long if mounted the same as shown in your pic.
Note the cracks near the last screws holding into the body. This is causing
the clamp to bend from the flat sheet metal body side into a round tank shape.
Move the two mounting screws closer to the middle screw, allowing a less of a
shape bend of the clamp. Think like 9th grade math class......a tangent against
a circle...

I contacted Grand Design for a suggested source for the straps. Even though I'm out of warranty, they're going to take care of me. Great folks there.

Jim, could you rig up something with light chain? One end bolted fast with the loose end having a snap hook with a matching screw eye?

john&bet wrote:
The ones in my 5th have a one inch wide metal strap that goes around the middle of the tank. It has a quick lever type latching mechanism. It not some cheap plastic strap like your picture shows.

John&Bet - The straps ARE metal. Both of them have a latch to secure them in place. The straps are about 7/8" wide each. The top one failed right where the screw goes into the wall. A close exam shows that it was metal fatigue from flexing, and the screw hole weakened that particular area.

We have a single strap like the picture. Guess I need to take a look to se how the are doing.
Miss the setup on the last 5er, both tanks on a slide out platform, held down with a clamp on the upper collar.

The ones in my 5th have a one inch wide metal strap that goes around the middle of the tank. It has a quick lever type latching mechanism. It not some cheap plastic strap like your picture shows.

copeland343 wrote:
Ours has the straps like yours and the upper bracket as Don stated. I think your are missing that part I do not see how just the cheap straps would hold my tanks in place with out breaking. If they do not get you a picture PM me an I will get a pic tomorrow when i get home.

Mine just has the straps like the OP, no upper bracket. Doubt he's missing it.

Ours has the straps like yours and the upper bracket as Don stated. I think your are missing that part I do not see how just the cheap straps would hold my tanks in place with out breaking. If they do not get you a picture PM me an I will get a pic tomorrow when i get home.

TucsonJim wrote:
Helimech - Thanks much - that sure looks like it. I'll go take a measurement to be sure. In the mean time, I'm very interested in modifying the mounting as the folks mention above. These straps are a very cheap way of doing things.

Yep; "cheap" is the name of the game in RV construction. :(

Lyle