Black tank fell from r-pod - Event Date: 03 Nov 2016

Originally posted by JandL I forgot to add I did not have to drill out the bracket. The hole thru it was something slightly over 1/4" diameter

You could use a ¼-28 bolt and get about 3.5 threads; it would also be easier to tap. I had ¼-20 bolts so I used what I had. You still have to be careful when installing them in such thin material so they don’t strip out the tapped treads. The failure mode of the tank support bracket is in shear (cut off) and not tension (stretched) so you only need to tighten them up enough so they don’t unscrew.

I used a 7/16” nut driver to install the bolts. Most of the time it’s hard to generate enough torque with a screwdriver handle type tool, plus you will be on your back under the trailer and in a narrow space so it will hard to get any kind of leverage to generate enough torque with one hand to strip them out. There may be people with enough hand strength to strip the threads, I am not one of them.

Dang I will for sure be adding this to my list of things to do, or at least check. Great thread. Things like this should be stickied or linked to another thread with mass info on it.

timpod, glad you caught it. The dealer did nothing more than take an impact driver and tighten them. I did not trust that after one of the screws stripped and he had to drill and put one between the original two locations. That is why I decided to drill and install stainless steel bolts, washers, and locknuts. I'm pretty sure now that my tanks will stay in their correct locations.