Possible to install larger fresh water tank?

kep5niner wrote:
My 5er has an advertised fresh water capacity of 54 gallons. In doing a water test this past summer, in reality it only holds ~ 36 gallons. I called Forest River and they claimed it's actually a 40 gallon tank that truly can't hold 40 gallons, the remaining water capacity is found in the 12 gallon water heater and the capacity contained within the plumbing throughout the trailer. I called BS to the FR rep, and he agreed...

That still doesn't do me much good as far as fresh water capacity. We don't dry camp much, but most parks we frequent have only electric at the sites.

Here's my question: is it possible to remove the existing 40 gallon fresh water tank, and replace with something larger? I haven't looked at the physical constraints yet (underbelly), but I have plenty of CCC in the 5er for additional water, and would structurally support it as required. I've seen up to 96 gallon fresh water tanks - again, not sure if it would even fit yet.

I searched the forum to see if this topic has been addressed before, and did not come up with anything.

Has anyone swapped out their fresh water tank for a larger one? Thanks!

It seems that RV companies routinely count the amount of water in your water heater as part of the capacity. In reality, you can NEVER make use of those gallons because it takes water in your FW tank to push the water in your water heater tank out to the taps. If you FW tank is empty, that extra 8 or 12 gallons in your water heater just sits there.

You can open the water heater tank drain or low water drain and access that water in an emergency. So while it is true that technically you have those gallons on board, they are pretty useless to you.

As far as them claiming a 40 gallon tank is on the rig but in reality it that hold 40 gallons, that is just false advertising on their part.