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Topic: Battle of the Bulge!!! Posted: 13 Sep 2011 at 6:21pm |
Perhaps you have noticed, when your fresh water tank is full, it sags or bulges downward in the middle. It did so on my RP173, as it does on my present camper. In doing so, the water tank never completely drained. There is/was always a couple of gallons of water that would remain. This remaining water can become fertile ground for algae growth.
My recent bout with the green goo caused me to vow “this ain’t gonna happen again! The Battle of the Bulge has begun!
My present unit has but one center supporting strap for the fresh water tank - with one perimeter support at the front and rear attached to the top of the tank and floor/underbelly of the camper. The center strap is so flimsy, it promptly bent downward under the weight. If memory serves, my Pod didn’t have a center support at all.
For my first attempt, I added the largest steel square tubing I could find at the local Lowes store - 1”. I installed it about 1/3rd of the way back on the tank and left the existing support as is. This has helped, but it is not enough to accomplish what I want - a reasonably level tank bottom for good drainage. The weight of the full tank deflects even the steel tubing(though to a lesser degree than the flimsy OEM galv steel angle.
However, because the tank is flexible, instead of one large bulge, I have 2 smaller bulges. This is better, but not acceptable. I am still weighing options but, I’m thinking of finding a source for steel Unistrut and making 3 cross braces with a steel plate on top of those to help hold the tank bottom reasonable level. When I do this, I’ll probably upsize the tank from 20 gallons to 30 or 40 gallons. 20 is good for a weekend, but that’s about all, without reloading the fresh tank. I have a 39 gallon gray and a 20 gallon black so 40 fresh would not be unreasonable, I think.
In the mean time, I think I’ll bleach more often than twice per season. Here is a picture of how things are now: I couldn't fit the whole picture in but, you can see the OEM brace still sagging and maybe even detect the 1" steel tubing deflecting some. The tank is flexible enough that it wants to "conform" around the tubing.
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Hodge-PODge
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Joined: 11 Apr 2011
Location: Calhoun, GA
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Posted: 13 Sep 2011 at 7:06pm |
Years ago I heard someone from emergency management who came to speak at our church about preparing drinking water for emergencies such as hurricanes. They said drinking water could be stored in 1 gallon jugs for up to 6 months if there was added 1 tsp chlorine bleach to each gallon jug. So if 1 gallon of water was safe to drink with 1 tsp bleach, then to me it stands to reason that you could multiply that # of teaspoons by however many gallons your potable tank would hold. And if there was a trace of chlorine bleach in your fresh water tank, then it seems to me the algae couldn't grow. And if you are reluctant to drink it you certainly could still use it for showers and dishwashing with no harmful effects.
Just my thinking for whatever it's worth . . . . .
Diane
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2011 RP 177, the Hodge-PODge
2011 Mercedes ML350
"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it."
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iamsmonk
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Location: North Carolina
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Posted: 13 Sep 2011 at 10:07pm |
David, would it be possible to put an additional drain outlet at the lowpoint of your tank?
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Sherrie & Carol,
Henri, Jay & Tanner
2004 Dodge Dakota w/4.7 V8
2011 r-pod 177
Let's go camping!
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techntrek
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Posted: 14 Sep 2011 at 8:11am |
Not sure I would do that, its pretty low to begin with.
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Posted: 14 Sep 2011 at 2:07pm |
Originally posted by Hodge-PODge
Years ago I heard someone from emergency management who came to speak at our church about preparing drinking water for emergencies such as hurricanes. They said drinking water could be stored in 1 gallon jugs for up to 6 months if there was added 1 tsp chlorine bleach to each gallon jug. So if 1 gallon of water was safe to drink with 1 tsp bleach, then to me it stands to reason that you could multiply that # of teaspoons by however many gallons your potable tank would hold. And if there was a trace of chlorine bleach in your fresh water tank, then it seems to me the algae couldn't grow. And if you are reluctant to drink it you certainly could still use it for showers and dishwashing with no harmful effects.
Just my thinking for whatever it's worth . . . . .
Diane |
Thanks, Diane. Candidly, I intend to do that or purchase some chlorine tabs for the period between trips. I take "store bought" gallon jugs of water for drinking and cooking, so a little bleach or chlorine will not be a bother - other than I don't like the smell.
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Posted: 14 Sep 2011 at 2:17pm |
Originally posted by iamsmonk
David, would it be possible to put an additional drain outlet at the lowpoint of your tank? |
Thanks to you and Tech. I found a place on line that will take a standard tank size and put the fittings, sensors, fill tube, etc. where requested. Even without considering the drain, I have always wished the tank were a little better supported. I was surprised that approx. 160lbs deflected even the 1" steel tubing.
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secretbard
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Joined: 12 Apr 2011
Location: Budd Lake, NJ
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Posted: 20 Sep 2011 at 9:09pm |
I just checked out the underside of my Pod and it seems that even with a full tank of water, there doesn't seem like there is any discernible unusual bulge. Based on your picture, it seems that the Pod has the water tank situated a little different. Yours seems like there is more mass in one area, verses the Pod that has the tank spread out like a rectangle.
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2010 Rpod 172 :)
2004 Chevy Trailblazer
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this_is_nascar
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Joined: 24 Jan 2010
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Posted: 21 Sep 2011 at 7:36am |
Yep, my 151 has that buldging fresh-water tank too.
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"Ray & Connie"
- 2017 R-Pod RP-180
- 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road
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