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| Topic: *Updated* Fresh Water tank fell off while driving |
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Posted By: AlabamaRVer
on 08/11/16 08:15pm
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As the title states, my fresh water tank fell off while driving today. It was a 40 gal tank and was a little shy of full. Has anyone else ever experienced this? The trailer is a 2016 model that I have owned about 6 weeks. I'm withholding the make/model until they've had a chance to respond to me. Let's just say it's a popular brand. Luckily the tanks main hose remained attached and it was dragged under the trailer until I could stop. I can only imagine the damage it could have caused to a car or motorcycle behind me had it come loose. This is my first trailer. After this experience I plan on adding strapping to all of my tanks after the trailer is repaired. Mainly wondering if this is in any way common or a fluke accident due to poor installation by the manufacturer. I'll share more details after the manufacturer and dealer have had a chance to let me know what they're going to do to resolve this and prevent it from happening again. UPDATE I requested that the manufacturer send a representative to inspect the trailer. They have declined to do so and do not appear to be interested in addressing the problem beyond a warranty repair. The trailer is 2016 FOREST RIVER SALEM CRUISE LITE. * This post was edited 08/12/16 10:48am by AlabamaRVer * |
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Posted By: diazr2
on 08/11/16 08:28pm
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I would venture to guess someone else has had that experience but man oh man it sure don't happen too often. I have never heard of it happening,,, Till now. Man glad you guys didn't get hurt or hurt anyone. Phew is all I can say.
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Posted By: Lantley
on 08/11/16 08:39pm
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Tanks falling out is a fairly common occurrence. The OP's were not the first and won't be the last 19'Duramax w/hips,12'Open Range,Titan Disc Brake BD3,RV safepower,22" Blackstone Ox Bedsaver,RV760 w/BC20,Glow Steps, Enduraplas25,Pedego BakFlip,RVLock,5500 Onan LP,Prog.50A surge,Hughes autoformer Porta Bote 8.0 Nissan,Sailun S637 Correct Trax,Splendide
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Posted By: mooky stinks
on 08/11/16 08:41pm
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I've never seen it, but I've heard of it on this forum. It's more common than you'd wish it was!
2020 F150 XL Screw 4x4 6.5”box 3.5 ecoboost Max tow HDPP 7850 GVW. 4800 RAWR 2565 payload 2020 Cougar 29RKS 5th wheel |
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Posted By: stallsmi
on 08/11/16 08:42pm
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We had our black tank fall out while camping. We had to jack it back up, and secure with ratcheting straps for the 4 hour ride home. BTW, it was a Coachmen trailer. During the build process, the workmen installing the tank bent the retaining rails in order to more easily insert the tank. Well, easy in and easy out. Because of the enclosed underbelly, we couldn't see the tanks during PDI. Because of this, and other shoddy details, we will never own another Forest River (Coachmen) product.
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Posted By: Naio
on 08/11/16 09:07pm
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stallsmi wrote: We had our black tank fall out while camping. Ewwww.....! That does not sound like fun, for you or for the campers who had the site after you. 3/4 timing in a DIY van conversion. Backroads, mountains, boondocking, sometimes big cities for a change of pace.
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Posted By: MitchF150
on 08/11/16 09:15pm
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Are there any extra brackets/bars going under your water tank? It's hard to tell from this pic of mine, but the metal bar to the left of the 'elbow' of the drain line is one of two "L" bars that run the length of the tank and support the bottom of it..![]() This is a 2003 Fleetwood Prowler and was done from the factory. I fill this tank on each and every trip (30 gallons) and have never had a problem with it. I can tell it provides a lot of support, as it creaks and growns when I'm filling it.. Good luck! Mitch 2013 F150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab Max Tow Egoboost 3.73 gears #7700 GVWR #1920 payload. 2019 Rockwood Mini Lite 2511S. |
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Posted By: nineoaks2004
on 08/11/16 09:15pm
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It should be under warranty, if it is new. I have seen it a few times back in the day when I worked for a TV dealership. but it is not a common thing to happen.
By the time you learn the rules of life You're to old to play the game
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Posted By: AlabamaRVer
on 08/11/16 09:22pm
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MitchF150 wrote: Are there any extra brackets/bars going under your water tank? It's hard to tell from this pic of mine, but the metal bar to the left of the 'elbow' of the drain line is one of two "L" bars that run the length of the tank and support the bottom of it.. ***Link Removed*** This is a 2003 Fleetwood Prowler and was done from the factory. I fill this tank on each and every trip (30 gallons) and have never had a problem with it. I can tell it provides a lot of support, as it creaks and growns when I'm filling it.. Good luck! Mitch There were only two outer rails, nothing spanning under the tank. After the repair I will definitely be adding something like that to all three tanks. |
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Posted By: azrving
on 08/11/16 09:29pm
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People have had that happen on here and other sites. Typical cheezy rv stuff and you will experience more of it. Let them fix it then go under there and make it right or get someone who can reinforce everything. The other tanks may not be any better. Sure it's new but I'd be under it looking at everything then get on the roof and ispect/seal so you wont be back here in 3 or 4 years asking about the ceiling sagging or your foot going through the floor. Sorry but it's an rv.
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Posted By: BobsYourUncle
on 08/11/16 10:47pm
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I had my half full black tank fall out once! The ONLY thing that stopped it from hitting the highway and creating an EGADS situation was one corner got hung up by about half an inch on one of my jacks. Mine fell out because the floor rotted out and the straps screwed to the floor let go. Roadside repair with a bottle jack and block of wood and stuff I could find to hold it there got me going. But! Being a new model and not worn or rotted, there is no excuse for this kind of thing to happen. This is just plain and simply poor workmanship and design. No excuse for it! 2007 GMC 3500 dually ext. cab 4X4 LBZ Dmax/Allison 2007 Pacific Coachworks Tango 306RLSS - 32' RV Rebuild Website Site is live, finally launched Aug 22, 2021 @ 6:53 PM .
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Posted By: bobndot
on 08/12/16 02:44am
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http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseac........d/tid/28971966/srt/pa/pging/1/page/4.cfm
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Posted By: DE88ROX
on 08/12/16 03:56am
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Ive always wondered if that has ever happened. Crawling around under mine, all that holds the tanks in place is plumbers straps and a few screws on each end. Thinking i might add a few more straps and screws. TV- 2010 GMC Sierra Z71 EXT. cab TT- 2012 Starcraft Autumn Ridge235fb
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Posted By: SoundGuy
on 08/12/16 05:12am
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I've posted this before - sagging fresh water tank on our 2014 Coachmen Freedom Express ... I immediately had the dealer install metal braces under the tank ... I recently looked under a 2017 Coachmen, same model with an open underbelly, and found the manufacturer hasn't improved this situation at all.
2012 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 2014 Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS 2003 Fleetwood Yuma * 2008 K-Z Spree 240BH-LX 2007 TrailCruiser C21RBH * 2000 Fleetwood Santa Fe 1998 Jayco 10UD * 1969 Coleman CT380 |
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Posted By: stevemorris
on 08/12/16 05:13am
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we never travel with anything in the tanks, period. I don't trust them on the road at all we carry drinking/coffee water in the truck, put a little fresh in the tank for a "Walmart" shower and always empty holding tanks before hitting the road all three tanks in our 7 year old tt are sagging to some degree, they are "hanging" off angle iron supports all around and have 1/2 inch steel straps under them(added by a previous owner I have to tilt the tt on 2 by 4s on the kerbside to empty them fully 2017 Ram 1500 4door, 4x4, 5.7 l hemi, 8 speed 2008 KZ Spree 260 |
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Posted By: SoundGuy
on 08/12/16 05:22am
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stevemorris wrote: we never travel with anything in the tanks, period. I don't trust them on the road at all Properly supported there's absolutely no reason to not carry some water in the fresh water tank, the upside being you can use the fresh water system anywhere, at any time - really handy for road side stops, really, really handy if you vacate your campsite by the required time but want to spend the rest of the day at the beach and shower before you head home. I pressurize my water system at the beginning of the season and don't fully empty it until I winterize ... tank always has some content in it and here in Ontario where dump station / fresh water fill is often not available very early or very late in the season I fill the tank completely before leaving home. With proper tank support there's no reason not to.
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Posted By: 3oaks
on 08/12/16 05:46am
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SoundGuy wrote: I agree.stevemorris wrote: we never travel with anything in the tanks, period. I don't trust them on the road at all Properly supported there's absolutely no reason to not carry some water in the fresh water tank, the upside being you can use the fresh water system anywhere, at any time - really handy for road side stops, really, really handy if you vacate your campsite by the required time but want to spend the rest of the day at the beach and shower before you head home. I pressurize my water system at the beginning of the season and don't fully empty it until I winterize ... tank always has some content in it and here in Ontario where dump station / fresh water fill is often not available very early or very late in the season I fill the tank completely before leaving home. With proper tank support there's no reason not to. ![]() And the OP is not doing anyone a favor by withholding the make and model of their trailer. In fact it is a dis-service to all of us. I am sure owners of the same make and model would want to immediately check their tank supports. |
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Posted By: Lynnmor
on 08/12/16 06:16am
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A TRAVEL trailer should be able hold full tanks otherwise it is of no use. If you don't want a self-contained living unit, there are motels. When I had frame cracking, at the cross member that hold up the fresh water tank, Lippert said that I shouldn't be traveling with full tanks. It was good that was a phone conversation. These crooks will build anything!
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Posted By: 6.7 tow rig
on 08/12/16 06:48am
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Happened to my parents Sunset Creek. Full fresh water tank just plopped right out, ripping the under cover any everything right out.
2018 Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie Cummins 4x4 2013 Primetime Lacrosse 318bhs
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Posted By: RoyBell
on 08/12/16 07:36am
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I can't see my tanks due to an enclosed underbelly. I only hope it's secured well. After 2 years of ownership though and carrying a full fresh water (and full grey/black at times), nothing has fallen off yet (knock on wood). I have had some bumpy roads while traveling too! I also made a post before about better handling with fresh water full. The trailer pulls much better with a full fresh water tank due to the fact that it must be located in front of the axles increasing tongue weight. I notice a big difference when it is empty and even worse when it's all moved the grey tank. I have city water so I prefer that over the sites well water as well. Well water gets stagnant in the lines if not flushed out. My city water can sit in there all year and be fine from the chlorine they add in. |
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Posted By: dewey02
on 08/12/16 07:44am
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SoundGuy wrote: I've posted this before - sagging fresh water tank on our 2014 Coachmen Freedom Express ... I immediately had the dealer install metal braces under the tank ... I had a similar situation on my Starcraft 235fb, which has two 40 gallon FW tanks. They had a couple of metal support bars running front to back, but the tank was sagging between the bars. I added two more metal supports between the existing ones. We frequently travel with full water tanks and I feel much more comfortable doing so with the extra support. |
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Posted By: AlabamaRVer
on 08/12/16 07:47am
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3oaks wrote: SoundGuy wrote: I agree.stevemorris wrote: we never travel with anything in the tanks, period. I don't trust them on the road at all Properly supported there's absolutely no reason to not carry some water in the fresh water tank, the upside being you can use the fresh water system anywhere, at any time - really handy for road side stops, really, really handy if you vacate your campsite by the required time but want to spend the rest of the day at the beach and shower before you head home. I pressurize my water system at the beginning of the season and don't fully empty it until I winterize ... tank always has some content in it and here in Ontario where dump station / fresh water fill is often not available very early or very late in the season I fill the tank completely before leaving home. With proper tank support there's no reason not to. ![]() And the OP is not doing anyone a favor by withholding the make and model of their trailer. In fact it is a dis-service to all of us. I am sure owners of the same make and model would want to immediately check their tank supports. 3oaks, you need to reread my post. I clearly stated that I am withholding UNTIL they've responded. As a business owner myself I know that even if 99.9% of my product is perfect, occasionally a mistake can make it through. When that happens I simply ask my customers to allow me to make it right, whatever that may be. I emailed the manufacturer right before I posted this thread last night. When they respond I will be sharing who they are along with either the steps they are taking to make it right, or a lot more details, including pictures, showing why I don't think anyone should buy their product. |
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Posted By: goducks10
on 08/12/16 08:32am
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My Northwood 5er came with a 2" piece of angle iron running from side to side bolted to the frame. No problem filling the 54gal tank and running cross country. I would have the dealer do something similar. Or buy the iron yourself and do it.
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Posted By: azrving
on 08/12/16 08:39am
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Sound guy That's a nice modification job. I think a lot of people would be surprised to see how poorly the tanks are held in or dangling plumbing. I'd be peeling the skirt off and going front to back checking and reinforcing everything. I have also shielded my drain and reinforced the support brackets so a piece of tire tread or something doesn't rip it off. You cant over do it or be too careful when it comes to cheezy rv's. Nice work. |
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Posted By: TurnThePage
on 08/12/16 09:26am
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AlabamaRVer wrote: In the meantime, someone who owns the same brand could be oblivious to their own situation because the name is not in here. If/when you come back and share that name, they may miss it or it's already too late. Sharing the name is NOT a disservice to the company.
3oaks wrote: SoundGuy wrote: I agree.stevemorris wrote: we never travel with anything in the tanks, period. I don't trust them on the road at all Properly supported there's absolutely no reason to not carry some water in the fresh water tank, the upside being you can use the fresh water system anywhere, at any time - really handy for road side stops, really, really handy if you vacate your campsite by the required time but want to spend the rest of the day at the beach and shower before you head home. I pressurize my water system at the beginning of the season and don't fully empty it until I winterize ... tank always has some content in it and here in Ontario where dump station / fresh water fill is often not available very early or very late in the season I fill the tank completely before leaving home. With proper tank support there's no reason not to. ![]() And the OP is not doing anyone a favor by withholding the make and model of their trailer. In fact it is a dis-service to all of us. I am sure owners of the same make and model would want to immediately check their tank supports. 3oaks, you need to reread my post. I clearly stated that I am withholding UNTIL they've responded. As a business owner myself I know that even if 99.9% of my product is perfect, occasionally a mistake can make it through. When that happens I simply ask my customers to allow me to make it right, whatever that may be. I emailed the manufacturer right before I posted this thread last night. When they respond I will be sharing who they are along with either the steps they are taking to make it right, or a lot more details, including pictures, showing why I don't think anyone should buy their product. 2015 Ram 1500 2022 Grand Design Imagine XLS 22RBE |
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Posted By: korbe
on 08/12/16 10:09am
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Our 60 gal fresh water tank came from the factory with 3 thin straps and 3/8" plywood under the tank. The plywood was supported by the same "L" brackets that the tank edges sat on. Developed a leak at the drain connection one trip and when the plywood got wet the straps stretched and the tank sagged heavily from the weight of the full tank. Our fix was to replace the thin plywood with 3/4" subfloor exterior plywood and tightened up the straps. . |
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Posted By: azrving
on 08/12/16 10:13am
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Speaking of things falling off rv's, my friend has about an 2009 Northland TT. The spare tire bracket/weld broke letting the spare go underneath and bend one axle and blow 2 tires and put him off the road. He replaced both axles with heavier ones and 16" tires. I told him it's the baddest looking off road TT I have ever seen. 26' TT with 7,000 lb axles!!!!
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Posted By: 2oldman
on 08/12/16 10:13am
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I'm wondering if trailer mfrs design the tank supports to withstand the force of many gallons of water sloshing around on the road. I'm guessing no.
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Posted By: braindead0
on 08/12/16 10:30am
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When I upgraded our black tank I did a lot of research into holding tanks. The most common mounting method I've seen is using 2 'ears' molded into the top of the tank along the long side. The standard seems to be (such as it is) is 3" tall by 1.5" deep. On my trailer (and I suspect many others) a length of angle iron is bolted across the frame supporting the tank via the ears.. my tanks rear most 'ear' is supported by a frame cross member. In my case the angle iron support is plenty strong. One manufacture (Inca) recommends that at least 3/4" of that 1.5 inch ear be supported. If both ends are supported 3/4" the entire tank could shift for or aft and drop out of the other support. I haven't checked to see if that recommendation still stands. Black tanks tend to be kept from moving for/aft by the toilet flange mounting. Gray tanks perhaps a bit by the drain plumbing. Fresh water I would think is less likely to be secured by the fittings. Add to that tank manufacturers changing designs constantly, which I know for sure they don't test well at least in one case (Inca H183, rated 11 gallon tank in 2013, in 2014 de-rated by the manufacture to 7.25 gallon, actually holds 5 gallons). I'm surprised that tanks hold up at all! And I agree that withholding manufacturer/model information does the community a disservice. If this happened, it happened. Nobody is likely to take a single incident and use that as as sole determination. 2015 RAM 1500 4x4 5.7, 3.93 2013 Econ 16RB TT |
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Posted By: AlabamaRVer
on 08/12/16 10:50am
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BillyW wrote: AlabamaRVer wrote: In the meantime, someone who owns the same brand could be oblivious to their own situation because the name is not in here. If/when you come back and share that name, they may miss it or it's already too late. Sharing the name is NOT a disservice to the company.3oaks wrote: SoundGuy wrote: I agree.stevemorris wrote: we never travel with anything in the tanks, period. I don't trust them on the road at all Properly supported there's absolutely no reason to not carry some water in the fresh water tank, the upside being you can use the fresh water system anywhere, at any time - really handy for road side stops, really, really handy if you vacate your campsite by the required time but want to spend the rest of the day at the beach and shower before you head home. I pressurize my water system at the beginning of the season and don't fully empty it until I winterize ... tank always has some content in it and here in Ontario where dump station / fresh water fill is often not available very early or very late in the season I fill the tank completely before leaving home. With proper tank support there's no reason not to. ![]() And the OP is not doing anyone a favor by withholding the make and model of their trailer. In fact it is a dis-service to all of us. I am sure owners of the same make and model would want to immediately check their tank supports. 3oaks, you need to reread my post. I clearly stated that I am withholding UNTIL they've responded. As a business owner myself I know that even if 99.9% of my product is perfect, occasionally a mistake can make it through. When that happens I simply ask my customers to allow me to make it right, whatever that may be. I emailed the manufacturer right before I posted this thread last night. When they respond I will be sharing who they are along with either the steps they are taking to make it right, or a lot more details, including pictures, showing why I don't think anyone should buy their product. If you read this post and did not take it as a warning to check your own tanks, regardless of brand, that is not my responsibility. |
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Posted By: Westcoasting
on 08/12/16 11:17am
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Im kinda shocked you haven't received an answer back yet... that alone speaks volumes.
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Posted By: coolbreeze01
on 08/12/16 11:18am
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SoundGuy wrote: I've posted this before - sagging fresh water tank on our 2014 Coachmen Freedom Express ... I immediately had the dealer install metal braces under the tank ... Nice job. Did you have to pay? 2008 Ram 3500 With a Really Strong Tractor Motor........... LB, SRW, 4X4, 6-Speed Auto, 3.73, Prodigy P3, Blue Ox Sway Pro........ 2014 Sandsport 26FBSL |
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Posted By: beemerphile1
on 08/12/16 11:57am
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AlabamaRVer wrote: UPDATE I requested that the manufacturer send a representative to inspect the trailer. They have declined to do so and do not appear to be interested in addressing the problem beyond a warranty repair. The trailer is 2016 FOREST RIVER SALEM CRUISE LITE. I wouldn't expect the manufacturer to spend thousands of dollars for an employee to travel to your location to do this inspection you want. It is not a big deal, something failed, it is a warranty claim, so what? Take it to a dealer, have it repaired, and go camping. ![]() It is unfortunate this happened to you but hey, **** happens. Build a life you don't need a vacation from. 2016 Silverado 3500HD DRW D/A 4x4 2018 Keystone Cougar 26RBS 2006 Weekend Warrior FK1900
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Posted By: TurnThePage
on 08/12/16 12:02pm
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AlabamaRVer wrote: LOL! Sorry, my bad. NONE of it ever was your responsibility. Just trying to be helpful to my neighbors. I know my tanks are good to go. Just for the record, mine is a Fleetwood Pioneer. Any others who own one of those should rest assured that even if the trailer rots around you, your tanks will not fall off. Happy Camping!!
If you read this post and did not take it as a warning to check your own tanks, regardless of brand, that is not my responsibility. |
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Posted By: carringb
on 08/12/16 12:43pm
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beemerphile1 wrote: I wouldn't expect the manufacturer to spend thousands of dollars for an employee to travel to your location to do this inspection you want. When I had trouble with the Schwintek slide on my Outdoors RV Creekside, the factory sent a tech to my house, and when the tech determined it couldn't be fixed in the field, they sent a driver to my house to pick it up and take it back to the factory. They offered to deliver it back too, however I decided to make a ski trip out of it, and they paid for my gas. 2000 Ford E450 V10 VAN! 450,000+ miles 2014 ORV really big trailer 2015 Ford Focus ST |
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Posted By: SoundGuy
on 08/12/16 01:03pm
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SoundGuy wrote: I've posted this before - sagging fresh water tank on our 2014 Coachmen Freedom Express ... I immediately had the dealer install metal braces under the tank ... coolbreeze01 wrote: Nice job. Did you have to pay? In my case no as I know the dealer quite well but I suspect most would as the manufacturers from what I can tell claim no responsibility for this and of course it's not the dealer's fault. For those of us owning a trailer with an open underbelly it's easy to see if there's an issue but IMO anyone owning a trailer with an enclosed belly would do themselves a favour to open it up, check for themselves, and if necessary ante up for the cost of adding the proper support. |
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Posted By: hawkeye-08
on 08/12/16 03:07pm
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I think (not saying this is the case this time) that many fresh water tank problems come from folks over filling (leaving the hose in the fill opening and getting distracted. Water pressure will make that tank balloon and can break supports and damage all sorts of things. If you don't have a fill adapter that is smaller than the opening (to allow air to escape faster than just the vent hole), you will have a pressured water tank. I got distracted filling mine this spring and was very glad I had the small fill hose on the end of the white hose. Water was able to come back out around it and not balloon the tank.. |
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Posted By: IndyCamp
on 08/12/16 08:32pm
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carringb wrote: beemerphile1 wrote: I wouldn't expect the manufacturer to spend thousands of dollars for an employee to travel to your location to do this inspection you want. When I had trouble with the Schwintek slide on my Outdoors RV Creekside, the factory sent a tech to my house, and when the tech determined it couldn't be fixed in the field, they sent a driver to my house to pick it up and take it back to the factory. They offered to deliver it back too, however I decided to make a ski trip out of it, and they paid for my gas. We were out of state and had a shower leak on our Rockwood (also Forest River), and when I called the Rockwood warranty department, the rep asked if I could get it to the nearest Forest River dealer. I told him I couldn't, as my wife was away with the truck at National Guard training, and he authorized for a mobile RV repair company to come look at it and get it fixed. Didn't cost us anything out of pocket. This was a private mobile RV repair company, however, and not a "representative" sent by the manufacturer. I would imagine that would be the way most of them would handle it if it can't be taken in to a dealer of that brand. For what it's worth, we had a few repairs done under warranty with our Rockwood, and it was always a very easy process. We aren't brand-loyal and will consider all brands for our next trailer, but we have been happy with our Rockwood and would not rule out Forest River in the future. 2018 Grand Design Reflection 315RLTS 2014 RAM 2500 6.4L HEMI
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Posted By: DE88ROX
on 08/13/16 05:01am
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dewey02 wrote: I had a similar situation on my Starcraft 235fb, which has two 40 gallon FW tanks. They had a couple of metal support bars running front to back, but the tank was sagging between the bars. I added two more metal supports between the existing ones. We frequently travel with full water tanks and I feel much more comfortable doing so with the extra support. What year is your trailer? I have a 2012. |
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Posted By: LVJJJ
on 08/13/16 08:28am
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This is why I like my inside, under the bed fresh water tank. Won't fall out or freeze up as easy.
1994 GMC Suburban K1500 2005 Trail Cruiser TC26QBC 1965 CHEVY VAN, 292 "Big Block 6" (will still tow) 2008 HHR L(Larry)V(Vicki)J(Jennifer)J(Jesse)J(Jason) |
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Posted By: dewey02
on 08/13/16 08:51am
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DE88ROX wrote: dewey02 wrote: I had a similar situation on my Starcraft 235fb, which has two 40 gallon FW tanks. They had a couple of metal support bars running front to back, but the tank was sagging between the bars. I added two more metal supports between the existing ones. We frequently travel with full water tanks and I feel much more comfortable doing so with the extra support. What year is your trailer? I have a 2012. 2011. |
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Posted By: searfoss
on 08/13/16 07:00pm
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We bought our previous TT used. Came with someone elses whoo in the black tank and when I filled the water tank to sanitize it it fell and almost landed on my head (would have killed me). The dealer was horrible and accused me of removing the tank straps. Needless to say they "fixed" it (rigged is proper term). Because the tank was over the axles there was not much room and every time we hit a bump the axle hit the repair done by the dealer. So I fixed it proper with these braces and never had a problem.
* This post was last edited 08/14/16 02:23pm by searfoss * Poconos Pennsylvania 2016 Kodiak 286 BHSL 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4X2 5.7 hemi 3.55 rear RIP Mike, we miss you so much |
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Posted By: bucky
on 08/14/16 05:57am
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My Coachmen when they were still just Coachmen had a fresh water tank issue also. Luckily I found it while running some wire back to the rear for a back up light. The tank was just hanging by the hose running to the pump and one corner hung up on a brace.. No idea how long it had been like that as we rarely used tank water. It looked as if they didn't have the right tank when this particular trailer came down the line so they just stuck another one in there and it was only held up by a piece of particle board. Ever seen wet particle board under a load? I fixed some angle iron under the tank and went on. The trailer was over a year old before I discovered the problem. Puma 30RKSS
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Posted By: PAThwacker
on 08/14/16 06:56pm
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I'm not sure which is better. Water tank on a foam floor or dangling underneath with ears on angle iron.
2015 Keystone Springdale Summerland 257rl Tow vehicle: 2003 GMC K1500 ext lb Previous: 14 years of 3 popups and a hybrid tt |
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Posted By: PAThwacker
on 08/14/16 07:35pm
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We bought at auction a repoed 2006 keystone Zeppelin 2 291bhs Flipped it for $2k profit. What a piece of garbage, bolted together BAL frame, all tanks suspended by ears, fw tank dangling with ears over the axles. |
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Posted By: soren
on 08/14/16 08:29pm
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I had it happen to the fresh water tank on a mid-2000s Fleetwood Wilderness. It ended up riding on the axles, so it never actually fell completely off. It came with a sad attempt to support the bottom of the tank with some light gauge 1" angle steel. Unfortunately, the assembly monkeys ran out of the correct bolts and nuts to connect the angle to the mounts, and thought that 1/4" bolts would be fine. Turns out that they were wrong. They then supply the dealer with a replacement tank that's slightly thicker than ziploc bag. This piece of trash ends up ballooning to comical proportions when filled, and blew the spun welded supply fitting right off the top. The shop monkey at the dealer decides to repair this by using a full tube of silicone to build a huge mound around the broken fitting. This fails, and I have to let the monkey in on a highly secret piece of insider knowledge, that being, Silicone really doesn't stick to most plastics. Tank number three did the trick, and magically stayed in place for a few more years. When Fleetwood stock dropped to $.08 and they failed, I just smiled. Couldn't of happened to a nicer, more competent, decent, well run company, said no one, ever.
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Posted By: SoundGuy
on 08/14/16 09:55pm
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soren wrote: When Fleetwood stock dropped to $.08 and they failed, I just smiled. Couldn't of happened to a nicer, more competent, decent, well run company, said no one, ever. Well at least you're not bitter.
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Posted By: westend
on 08/14/16 10:28pm
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Kind of makes me happy I have a steel tank mounted on the floor. Not a good thing to hear about all the problems of hanging a tank underneath, though.
'03 F-250 4x4 CC '71 Starcraft Wanderstar -- The Cowboy/Hilton |
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Posted By: austinjenna
on 08/15/16 05:05am
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My black tank fell out of my fifth wheel, while it was pretty full, just sitting in the campground, so Yah that was fun to crawl under there.
2010 F350 CC Lariat 4x4 Short Bed 2011 Crusader 298BDS 5th Wheel Reese 16K |
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Posted By: Magilla13
on 09/26/16 02:03pm
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I had the same thing happen on our 2nd trip in our Eldridge by Heartland. Took it to the dealer once i got home, it broke the tank. The dealer stated that the manufacturer never put support straps under the tank during installation. Two years later get flagged down on the road that i am losing water. parking lot inspection revealed that the straps installed by the dealer had vibrated out and tank fell again, ripping apart the underbelly insulation. Camper is now 3 1/2 years old no one is willing to stand behind their product or their work. Got tank back in with a floor jack and blocks of wood, duct taped the underbelly to get home. Gonna figure this out and fix it right myself. |
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Posted By: colliehauler
on 09/26/16 02:48pm
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After reading this post I think I will check my water tank. It's over a 100 gallon tank.
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Posted By: hohenwald48
on 09/26/16 06:39pm
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I've seen lot's of water and holding tanks attached only by the tank flange and a row of wood screws driven into the bottom of the plywood flooring. I imagine the wood screws around 3/4 inch since any longer a they'd come up thru the floor. Not a very good mounting method.
When seconds count, the police are only minutes away. 2019 Newmar Canyon Star 3627 2017 Jeep Wrangler JKU |
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