for those of you that have dropped your gas tanks

Brian: I lowered the 90 gal. fuel tank in my previous 1990 GeorgieBoy Cruisemaster. The tank was held by long bolts. I used 18" pieces of 1/2 inch allthread to replace the bolts. Square of plywood on a floor jack to hold the tank. Move the nuts & washer down on the allthread and lower the tank a few inches at a time. I used 2 nuts at the top of the allthread to lock to the frame so I did not unscrew the rod as I lowered the tank. The threaded rods keep everything lined up when raising the tank and it won't try to get away. Watch the connections, vent line and fill pipe.

My tank was less than a 1/3 full and I would not recommended any more fuel than that. (I had to guess how much fuel was left in the tank because squirrels had eaten the sender wires at the top of the tank.... My fuel pump was external)

A motorcycle jack is best if you can find one. The emptier the better, if it starts to tip the more gas the faster it will hit the ground.

You would have to jack the motor home way up to get enough room to change the hose.

I had a thought last night, What if you blocked up the tank and then raise the motorhome enought to change the hoses. I did something similar to my old van when I dropped the engine out of it

I dropped the tank in my old MH, a 1985 P30 chassis. It was 3/4 full and i did it in my driveway. I simply used blocks and boards, lowering one end at a time with a floor jack. The front 6 inches, then the back, and so on until i got it down enough to change the hoses. I didn't remove any gas. I was sure to change all the hoses, uncluding the filler and vent lines. I was surprised at how easy it was and only took a few hours...

Brian in Michigan wrote:
Well... there is a double floor above the tank,

I'm not quite clear what you describe as a double floor. I was able to cut an 11" square access hatch under the rear bed, directly above the fuel pump. My floor is double, sort of, in that there is a plywood top layer, Styrofoam insulation, then a steel floor beneath that.
But now I can change the fuel pump, in about an hour, and without having to find a place to store 75 or so gallons of gas or crawl on the ground.

Transmission jack or motorcycle jack would be best. I would definitely empty the tank. Even having 10 gallons in it, makes it slosh around with a lot of inertia. The gas sloshing can surprise just at the wrong moment. I've had my tanks out 7 or 8 times. I have always had them nearly empty before dropping. If it is a steel tank, it will be pretty heavy, even empty. The OEM aluminum tanks I could manage just by laying underneath and lifting with my knees. I now have ABS tanks, which are held up by a large heavy steel frame. It is heavy enough that I run 2X4s under the tanks to the outside of the coach. This way I can lift and prop it up a little at a time.

Take it to a place that can professionally do it. Freightliner ( maybe???) large truck repair location..etc.

96Bounder30E wrote:

BobR wrote:
Mine was done at a Ford dealer. They drained the tank first. The best solution would be to use a pallet jack and wood pallet to drop the tank. Easier than using floor jacks and wood.

I'm just curious.........do you own a pallet jack?

Yes - The one I have raises 18" plus a pallet would be 1" making a total height of 19". Not enough, add another pallet. I was thinking people would probably know a business they could borrow a pallet jack from.

Pallet jacks only go up or down about 6"

Bill

I'm not having an issue with the pump but I want to change the fuel hose. The tank is full right now for the winter. ( condensation ) I plan on changing the hose in the spring. At 24 years old I think it's about due.