So friday night i got my water filled and ready for a Dunes filled weekend... Pulled my hose and heard a loud boom! Went over to look under the trailer and the belly was bowed way down. first thing first was to dump all 90 gallons of water in the street and pace in circles thinking about the trip being over before it started the "how much is this gonna cost". I got the water drained and cut into the belly to find my water tank dropped off the angle bracked it sits in. Upon further investigation i found the bracket moved back because of two self tapping screws that held it were broken, and not freshly broken. Like maybe broken when it was assembled. Long story short i pulled the two broken screws out and replaced then with some good ole grade 8 bolts n nuts, put the bracked back and the tank back up. I filled it with water and we were off in the AM thankfully no problems. Glad it was an easy fix. I used gorilla tape to close belly the cover, anyone ever had to cut into the belly of their camper? and what did you use to reseal it?

Glad everything went well. Would another brace help it from moving again? Gorilla tape usually holds. I heard of using quick ties and then covering with gorilla tape or window flashing like this:Flashing tape

Glad you were able to take care of it with little expense, and not too much aggravation. Could have been worse. I've heard gorilla tape being used for that works fine.

bob213 wrote:Glad everything went well. Would another brace help it from moving again? Gorilla tape usually holds. I heard of using quick ties and then covering with gorilla tape or window flashing like this:Flashing tapeI was actually thinking of trying to run another brace length wise from brace to brace just as another failsafe so if the bolts break the tank cant slide out of the brackets.

Gorilla tape will probably do. I would not attempt to change it, since it's already there, but do keep an eye on it and if it does start to come off, then go to plan "B". FYI, I never travel with water in my fresh tank for the very reason you just described. There's a lot of weight in those tanks, and then you add all the bumping up and down and water movement inside the tank, and ... well ... I've just never had confidence to travel with full tanks. Moving around the campground, no problem, 5, 10 mph, but at highway speeds, and highway bumps, and highway chuck holes and railroad tracks and such ... nah, not comfortable at all.For longer trips, we take a separate 6 gallon jug of water for on-the road usage, and keep the tanks as empty as possible.

DutchmenSport wrote:FYI, I never travel with water in my fresh tank for the very reason you just described. There's a lot of weight in those tanks, and then you add all the bumping up and down and water movement inside the tank, and ... It's a wonder we don't see this more often, considering the number of people who report travelling with full water.

AHHH! Dropped my water tank! | Good Sam Community

Beltzy
Explorer
May 28, 2014
SCVJeff wrote:
Really? Self tappers vertically holding almost 750lb dead weight? Yikes.. That should be a safety recall

The cross bar that the tank sits in, sits on the rail of the main beams, so the screws didnt hold it up, just held it in place.. still didnt get warm fuzzies from that so i replaced the other side too.
Beltzy
Explorer
May 28, 2014
past-MIdirector wrote:
I'd contact the manufacturer let them know what you found along with the dealer you got the rig from. Trailer manufacture seem to not realize how much weight is in the tank when it's full of water and therefore do not build a strong enough support system. Most of the smart manufacturers place the tank above the frame on the floor but you lose storage space this way. I've carried water in every RV we've own including the present rig which has a 100 gallon tank. I you're going out dry camping you have to take water with you.

My rig has the water in the floor with the supports running from the main beams. Yea, we too dont have hookups at the dunes nor is there fill ups there, heck not even garbage cans.. lol so i have to fill at the house before i leave.
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
May 28, 2014
My achin' head...a year old rig that probably cost close to thirty thousand dollars, and the water tank falls out. The only bright spot here is that it didn't happen on the freeway.
whiteeye42
Explorer
May 29, 2014
the tape will hold for a little while then come loose what you need to do is go to your dealer and get another piece of the underbelly and then you attach it using RTV silicone and small self tapping screws just long enough to go thru both pieces of the underbelly that is how the factory told me how to fix mine when i had to cut into it
DustyR
Explorer
May 29, 2014
Francesca Knowles wrote:
My achin' head...a year old rig that probably cost close to thirty thousand dollars, and the water tank falls out. The only bright spot here is that it didn't happen on the freeway.

X2 I have traveled with full tanks, only out of necessity.
Go_Dogs
Explorer
May 29, 2014
Luke Porter wrote:
If they weren't built to haul the water, there would be all kinds of warning stickers and stuff. Same thing with the waste tanks. What's the sense of having the tanks if you can't move with something in them---hello??

I agree, they SHOULD be able to tote as much water as the tanks will hold. Otherwise, there should either be smaller holding tanks, or warnings to not haul water. I think some manufacturers figure that the mounting hardware only has to last one day longer than the warranty.
aruba5er
Explorer
May 29, 2014
I cut into the underbelly for various reasons, once to install Sealevel sensors ( no more guessing at how full or empty the tanks are) but I stiched the wound up with zip ties. A hole on each side of the cut, insert the tie wrap , bring it into the second hole and tighten. Has worked for years.
ependydad
Explorer
May 29, 2014
Homer wrote:
plus the cost of hauling H2O around, why do it?

What cost? My rig weights in at 14,500 pounds. With 50 gallons of fresh water, that's another 400 or so pounds. I'm not going to see a difference in MPG when it comes to that.

Heck, when I weighed my rig at 13,500 pounds and added the other 1,000 of stuff (water included), I didn't see any noticeable difference in MPGs and I hand-calculate almost every fill up with notes as to what was towing and what wasn't.
PAThwacker
Explorer
May 29, 2014
im leary to haul any water with our hybrid. Sloshes out, leaks at vent/potable port, and sits on a composite floor.
FlatBroke
Explorer II
May 29, 2014
Our first one the tank popped out. Dealer put in a length of Chanel iron. I did one better and got in there and secured a 2x4 on edge on the end of the tank opposite of the water outlet to the pump and put a series of boards to make it slope towards the pump. Never could get the last 5-10 gallons out. That fixed that problem.