Fresh water tank falls out

[blksmith]

While filling my fresh water tank last week as it got full it fell out. Busted the vent fitting and the drain fitting. Tore loose the fill and service line. Tanks ok just need to put it back in and re plumb.
I cannot believe that a 50 gal tank was held in place by 2 x 1/8 inch angle. Each angle was 65 inches long and ran across the main frame.
They both bent enough to let the tank slide through.

My whining
TJ Smith

[blksmith]

Good idea sound guy. I just can't believe the corners these manufacturers cut.
A freind of mine had his blackwater tank fall out on the freeway. He didn't even stop. Just said goodbye to his tank.
Thanks for all the replies.
Take Care TJ Smith

[dewey02]

Well, at least you can be thankful that the tanks fell out at home and not while going 60 mph down the highway.

I have a Jayco with two 45 gallon FW tanks. They were sagging quite a bit and had three 2 inch steel straps holding each tank. But the plastic tank sagged between the steel straps. So I added two additional straps to each tank.

[69_Avion]

My installation of two water tanks.



I like to have a good base for the plastic tanks.

[REDF350]

I swear that TT manufacturers install the fresh water tank assuming that they'll never be used. We have a 2003 Coachman and I think that the water tank is supported by a 1/8" thick piece of Masonite. I have never used it and would never use it without some significant reinforcement.

[SoundGuy]

I've posted these pics before but since inadequately secured tanks seems to be such a common issue I'll post them once again ...

When I first brought our new 2014 Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS home and filled the fresh water tank it sagged noticeably ...



... so I asked my dealer to install a couple of steel supports under the tank which eliminated the sagging and ensured the tank couldn't fall off ...



In the two years we've now owned this trailer and traveled many times with a full tank I've never had any issues at all. It seems such an obvious solution one has to wonder why trailer manufacturers are so reticent to properly secure these tanks in a similar fashion at the time of manufacture. :h

[hohenwald48]

I had a Jayco that had 2-45 gallon fresh water tanks and when full they sagged a good 6 inches. First thing I did after buying it was to put two additional steel angles under the tank and bolted to the frame. I used some old bed rails. They're cheaper than buying new steel. I also put some s**** carpet between the steel and the tank to prevent rubbing. Both the waste tanks seemed to be supported just fine from the factory.

The system keeps starring out the word sc rap.

[Halmfamily]

Welcome to my world. Heading to the dealer tomorrow to our fresh water tank installed after it fell out three weeks ago. As you said it was held in by two things L brackets and mine had three cross braces under the tank that were not secured. Luckily mine fell out in our driveway as we were getting ready for a trip. Ok

Our dealer said this is not new and they see this quite often. They said they will install new stronger bracing and use large straps for fuel tanks to keep it locked in.

[blksmith]

23 foot kampsite by Komfort

[69_Avion]

I certainly would check the other tanks. I used unistrut on my last tank installation.

[blksmith]

23 foot kampsite by Komfort

[blksmith]

Not near as big and never have had them full on the hiway.
But I will check them out.

[floridacamper]

blksmith wrote:
While filling my fresh water tank last week as it got full it fell out. Busted the vent fitting and the drain fitting. Tore loose the fill and service line. Tanks ok just need to put it back in and re plumb.
I cannot believe that a 50 gal tank was held in place by 2 x 1/8 inch angle. Each angle was 65 inches long and ran across the main frame.
They both bent enough to let the tank slide through.

My whining
TJ Smith

What brand trailer?

[newman_fulltime]

look at your other tanks my bet they are the same way