Water Tank Beam

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   I must let you all know of an unfortunate break down of our 2014 182.  We went camping for two nights at Leo Carrillo State Beach in CA a few weekends ago and all was good until we headed home.  This campground is only an hour from our house.  About 1/2 way home I heard a scraping noise coming from the trailer so I pulled over.  One of the two metal cross beams that support the fresh water tank snapped off on one side and was dragging on the ground.  The water tank was about 3" from hitting the ground.  Since our trailer is covered by Coach Net for the first Year I gave them a call and they sent out a trailer repair company (took 5 hours to get this all done).  Before he arrived to reattach the beam I crawled under the trailer to see what really happened - I couldn't believe my eyes!  This beam is mounted to the frame by only two very small screws.  The screws snapped in 1/2.  The tank was only half full of water so I would have never expected this.  The repair man also could not believe how this beam could only have two small screws holding up the tank and we all know how heavy water is.  He reattached the beam with 3 much stronger bolts on both sides of the beam.  Now I think a may do this to the other beam on the other side of the tank.  I bet the black and grey water tank is the same way.

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CasaJack Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 19 Feb 2014 Location: San Gabriel, CA Online Status: Offline Posts: 36	Topic: Water Tank Beam Posted: 25 Jul 2014 at 5:00pm
	I must let you all know of an unfortunate break down of our 2014 182. We went camping for two nights at Leo Carrillo State Beach in CA a few weekends ago and all was good until we headed home. This campground is only an hour from our house. About 1/2 way home I heard a scraping noise coming from the trailer so I pulled over. One of the two metal cross beams that support the fresh water tank snapped off on one side and was dragging on the ground. The water tank was about 3" from hitting the ground. Since our trailer is covered by Coach Net for the first Year I gave them a call and they sent out a trailer repair company (took 5 hours to get this all done). Before he arrived to reattach the beam I crawled under the trailer to see what really happened - I couldn't believe my eyes! This beam is mounted to the frame by only two very small screws. The screws snapped in 1/2. The tank was only half full of water so I would have never expected this. The repair man also could not believe how this beam could only have two small screws holding up the tank and we all know how heavy water is. He reattached the beam with 3 much stronger bolts on both sides of the beam. Now I think a may do this to the other beam on the other side of the tank. I bet the black and grey water tank is the same way.
	Jackdaddy

Budward Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 21 Apr 2014 Location: SC/NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 438	Posted: 25 Jul 2014 at 5:12pm
	Good tip- I had noticed awhile back crawling around under mine only 2 screws on each end, not only that but the angle used to support the tank is too short so the end plates welded on are off the frame about 1/4" on mine. That can contribute to the screws breaking.... Now just imagine the black tank dropping down and getting punctured or scraped through on the road
	2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle!

Leo B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4517	Posted: 25 Jul 2014 at 5:29pm
	Gross!!!
	Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171

freezingalaskan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 20 Mar 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 34	Posted: 25 Jul 2014 at 5:58pm
	Thank you so much for posting this. I will definitely check under my trailer to see if this is something I can prevent happening to my Rpod. freezingalaskan
	Volvo XC90 '13 rPod 179 '16

David and Danette Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1218	Posted: 25 Jul 2014 at 8:41pm
	My guess the Vibes may be built the same way, I too will check under our camper to see how tanks are attached. Sorry for your trouble but thank you for posting what happened to you in that it may prevent someone else having the same problem.
	2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

Budward Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 21 Apr 2014 Location: SC/NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 438	Posted: 26 Jul 2014 at 7:43am
	Tank support seems to be an industry problem since the manufacturers like to squeeze every last penny of profit out. Back in 99 or so my Tahoe toy hauler severely bent the thin sheet metal angle supports holding the 4 tanks. I replaced them all with actual angle iron that was much stouter. Went from something like 1.5" angle that was 1/16 thick to 2" angle 3/16 thick. Problem solved. Yep 4 tanks, one grey, one black, and two ea 50 gallon fresh water tanks. Toy Haulers back then were not seen much outside the dirt bike/ATV world in the deserts out west.
	2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle!

Mike B Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 14 Apr 2014 Location: San Diego Ca. Online Status: Offline Posts: 20	Posted: 26 Jul 2014 at 10:14am
	Wow, I too will be crawling under our 177 to have a look. Thanks for posting.

J-Cat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 27 May 2014 Location: SE Washington Online Status: Offline Posts: 24	Posted: 26 Jul 2014 at 3:47pm
	Thanks for this post. I checked under my 179 and found the same thing for all three tanks. Each tank had two beams with one beam being welded in place and the other bolted in place so it can be removed to replace/remove the tank. Although each bracket had three holes drilled only two sheet metal screws were used on each to attach it to the trailer frame. My biggest concern was on one end of the black tank were there was a noticeable gap between the bracket and the trailer frame (~1/4"). This would make it even more likely for these bolts to shear or pull out. I ended up adding a third 1/4" diameter screw to all except one end of the fresh water tank where I could not get access.
	Jerry & Cathy 2015 RP-179 HRE 2013 Tacoma SR5 4x4

svskier Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24 Dec 2013 Online Status: Offline Posts: 29	Posted: 26 Jul 2014 at 4:22pm
	Just spent the morning under the pod adding a third screw to the fresh black and gray water tanks. Also tightened all bolts I could get to, all were at least a half a turn loose
	Mark 09 silverado 2500 hd 2013 pod 178

Old Dingo&Mrs.Dingo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 07 Jul 2012 Location: Tarentum, PA Online Status: Offline Posts: 138	Posted: 26 Jul 2014 at 4:46pm
	Nightmare scenario! Looked under my 181 this morning and saw the same thing. I wasn't too worried about the black or gray tanks, they are always empty when I pull out from anywhere, camping or home. But I didn't like traveling with even 10 gallons in the fresh tank with out a better attachment. This morning I drilled through the frame and installed a 2 3/4" X 5/16" bolt and ny-lock nut in the 2 empty holes. I feel more secure now.
	Old Dingo and/or Mrs. Dingo 181G 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee