Basement Floor Failure On 2013 Arctic Fox 990

[Possilian]

I was getting ready to take a nice short weekend trip loading the camper and filled the water tank. I do this off truck and jacks down till the back step barely clears the ground. Got everything loaded and woke up early this morning to find bottom 8 inches down on the passenger side with a gaping hole exposing aluminum cross members, insulation, and the edge of a water tank. If your thinking that this guy filled the tank with he hose straight into the bung, think again. I lurk on rv.net to know better, not write this sob story. I do fill with the small hose adapter every time. I go running to stop the water when I hear it drip out. And my water here has low pressure anyway. takes about 45 minutes to fill the tanks. Should be perfect right?

Anyhow, out of service for now. Called dealer and they setup a appointment. Said it should take a couple days to get it fixed. I am half wanting to do the repair myself. Being under warranty is the only reason I am going to the dealer. Looking at the brackets AF used makes me wonder how in the heck they could have failed. They look more than sufficient to do the job. It appears the heads broke off the assembly. Also I see lots of insulation and solid looking work in the basement as well. Just my crappy luck showing it's hind end.

[Possilian]

@yukoners- Got the rig into the garage and stripping it down. Lots and lots of screws are out. Going to drop all the tanks that matter to upgrade it to a -20 rig. I am now shocked that this could have happened after tearing the first layer apart. I have no regrets buying my 990 after taking some of it apart. I had bad luck in my travels is all. Glad I decided to fix this myself. My dealer even called me on a Sunday to see if I needed any advice. They are good in my book.

[Yukoners]

Thanks for taking the time to post and keep us updated Possilian. We have a 2012 AF 990 and I have no issues taking on and off the truck with full tank.
There was a similar thread a while back where someone call Northwood and got assurance to that fact. Good luck with the repairs and keep us posted.

[Possilian]

Spent the first part of my morning inspecting my damage. Grabbed my peek-a-boo camera from work, a 36 flexible inspection camera and saw what happened in my opinion. The screw heads sheared from the tank support brackets and have been laying on the wood underbody mounting pieces, wood flakes on the insulation and a minor wear spot on the wood testifies to that. So this is something that happened on the road, not filling the tank.

[Possilian]

@billtex- The camper was last years Christmas present to myself. It has almost 95 days of use. I covered Michigan to Louisiana to Florida to Northern Maine. It is under warranty. Just I have a unique situation on this. My work deals with fabrication of metal. Currently making lots of parts for the local rv dealers. That said I have to something before I even set it back on the truck. If I think that what I need to get to the point that it is close enough to just fixing where it sits, then done deal. I save a couple days not going to and from the dealers and i am back rolling for next weekend. The steelheads are just starting to run from lake Ontario. I didn't have this camper last year and this year freezing my butt off should not be in the forecast.

[CAJW]

billtex wrote:

Possilian wrote:
I just think something came loose while on the road. In the end no worries. Even if it wasn't under warranty it really is a easy fix. Much rather fix this than something topside! My carpentry expert buddy stopped over and agreed with my fix plans. Going to take a really good look at it again and decide if I am going to fix and and cancel my appointment. Doing the work on your own rig to me makes for a better fix.

But didn't you say it is 2013?
Why no warranty coverage?

It's a brand new camper?!

Post #1, Second paragraph, 5th sentence he states it IS under warranty. As disturbing as that is, Northwood is very good with warranty issues and doesn't require you get it repaired at a Arctic Fox dealer. That being said, that is a real bummer. Hopefully the cause can be traced to just a screw up by someone and that it can be repaired satisfactorily. Great attitude from the OP, way to make lemonade out of lemons!

[billtex]

Possilian wrote:
I just think something came loose while on the road. In the end no worries. Even if it wasn't under warranty it really is a easy fix. Much rather fix this than something topside! My carpentry expert buddy stopped over and agreed with my fix plans. Going to take a really good look at it again and decide if I am going to fix and and cancel my appointment. Doing the work on your own rig to me makes for a better fix.

But didn't you say it is 2013?
Why no warranty coverage?

It's a brand new camper?!

[Scott16]

Possilian,
Thanks for posting this problem with your AF 990. I am looking to purchase a AF 990 in the future. Sorry about your issues. I will watch this thread to see the outcome of your repairs and what caused the issue.
Scott

[Possilian]

I just think something came loose while on the road. In the end no worries. Even if it wasn't under warranty it really is a easy fix. Much rather fix this than something topside! My carpentry expert buddy stopped over and agreed with my fix plans. Going to take a really good look at it again and decide if I am going to fix and and cancel my appointment. Doing the work on your own rig to me makes for a better fix.

[Possilian]

Tank is down, when I first took notice I did push up the flooring and the weight of the full tank was on the cross members that dropped out. I immediately emptied the tank of water to prevent further failure. At that time I could push the cross members up and the tank did move with it. Multiple cross members are dropped out but more so on the passenger side of the camper. I did review the manual and the dvd again tonight, nothing stated about needing to be on the truck to fill. Did note to use the adapter to prevent the water hose pressurizing the tank.

[2manydogs]

I stopped filling our 811 off the truck as there was a large belly forming when it was topped up. I very well may have the same situation as your woes going on. No tear out, but the fresh water tank is definitely not supported well enough. There has been no leakage and no other bad things so until I have time to open things up to have a looksee and add more insulation, more camping it is!

[billtex]

Possilian wrote:
I was told it did not matter as long as I used to supplied step down filler attachment for the hose. It is half the size of the garden hose. My neighbor in a palomino did the same as did a lance owner. I also hauled water in for my rig and two tt's that we pumped in with a 12 volt transfer pump and we used a similar step down adapter. Everyone with a tank has to watch for pressuring the tank.

I doubt it's a psi issue...should be an overflow for pressure.
Possilain, can you confirm tank is still in place?

From the pics it LOOKS like the floor fell down but the tanks is still in place?

[Possilian]

I was told it did not matter as long as I used to supplied step down filler attachment for the hose. It is half the size of the garden hose. My neighbor in a palomino did the same as did a lance owner. I also hauled water in for my rig and two tt's that we pumped in with a 12 volt transfer pump and we used a similar step down adapter. Everyone with a tank has to watch for pressuring the tank.

[12V_Cummins]

Woo thats rough. I thought arctic fox's owners manual says not to fill water tank off truck.

[trail-explorer]

billtex wrote:
...AF still uses batten type insulation?
I thought everyone switched to foam board by now?

It's just in the basement where they use that pink stuff (house insulation)

Everything else is foam.

[billtex]

Well...that sux...but it doesn't look like the tank dropped?
I see the wood/staples pulled away, but the tank seems to be in place.

I have heard of several instances with AF tanks recently...what does Mfg say about using off the truck?

That is a 2013...AF still uses batten type insulation?
I thought everyone switched to foam board by now?
You might consider pulling out all that insulation while you are in there...the reflectix and foam board would be better option...more moisture resistant.

You have the right attitude...time to make lemonade!

Good luck w/repairs,
Bill