2008 Dip Holding tanks sagging

[Doug.terri5]

Hi all!

I absolutely love the information I've gotten from this site. What a wealth of knowledge.

I searched for my particular problem and could find no results.

I have a 2008 Diplomat that the grey and Black holding tanks are sagging enough that the black tank is pushing down on the top of my water pump. it is also making it difficult to hook my slinky up. Has anyone else experienced this and what was the solution?

I know I shouldn't drive much with the tanks weighted down but would like to correct the issue.

I appreciate any information and thoughts.

Doug

[tinstar 1114]

I've not had that problem but I think you're going to have to build a support bracket to go underneath the plywood support platform,,,,, if that's what's underneath your tanks. I'd have to check but I think I might be able to get to mine from the "electrical bay". I hope I don't ever have to do it though.

[Doug.terri5]

Thank you Tinstar 1114.

I would agree and I think I can get to mine from a door in front of the battery bay. I was hoping to find someone who had already come up with a solution but it looks like I might be on my own. I appreciate your thoughts!

[saddlesore]

Pic's????

[RamiDav]

Like Tinstar I have a Windsor too , with a pretty thick plywood under the tank .
I don't know if Diplomats should have that or not but when you said it was
sagging enough to push on top of the water tank it sounds like yours doesn't .
Obviously the tank has taken on a different shape over time so it will not want to
cooperate with what ever you try .
If it doesn't have plywood under it do you think it would be possible to force
a 3/4 '' sheet of plywood in there to make a shelf under the tank ?
Who knows maybe all Diplomats are just like yours and its ok .

A new tank with a reinforced shelf would be best but that sounds like a big job .
On the other hand the idea of a ruptured black tank sounds like a big job too ,
and nasty .
In the mean time maybe dump often and travel close to empty .

For easier slinky hook up try this .
When the tank is empty you can loosen 4 small bolts on the dump valve
allowing you to rotate the position of the slinky hook up .
Don't tighten them real tight or the valve will bind , apply some silicone lube .
You can also buy adapters that change the angle that might help .

Good luck & keep us posted please .

Ray

[Doug.terri5]

Thank you Ray!

I do have a thin 1/4” piece of plywood under my tanks. I’ll run up and take some photos but I believe the plywood has given out. Maybe if I was to replace it with a new stronger piece. I’m not sure I can anything much thicker under the tanks but it’s worth checking out.

Doug

[CountryB]

Doug, if you do replace the plywood, get birch plywood (hardwood) like used to make cabinets its much stronger than the regular plywood.

[Doug.terri5]

Thank you CountryB. Will do. I believe I can buy that at Lowe’s or Home Depot. I’ll post some photos when I get a chance.

Doug

[nodine]

Originally Posted by Doug.terri5

Thank you CountryB. Will do. I believe I can buy that at Lowe’s or Home Depot. I’ll post some photos when I get a chance.

Doug

Doug,

We have a 2006 Diplomat which may be similar to your 2008. We have the same thin piece of plywood between the black and gray tanks and the fresh water tank. It does not seem very substantial but in 11 years of ownership we have not experienced any problems. Look in the photo below and you can see the plywood. The suggestion to replace it with a ticker piece of birch could be the solution, although 3/4 inch may be hard to slide in the available space. Before trying to push it in I would angle the edge at 45 degrees.

Bob

[Coach Driver]

Hard to tell from pics when we are not there. If the plywood is just sagging and not rotten maybe a piece of metal or angle along the edge could be fastened in from the left to right of bay to add support. If that could work it would be much easier than replacing the wood. My opinion.

[Gordon Dewald]

First thought was there was some moisture causing the plywood to bend. Does not look like from the pictures.

It appears to be a long unsupported piece of plywood. A support in the center would certainly help.

Second thought is to take a piece of angle iron and bolt it to the front edge of the plywood to straighten it up. I think you could lay it on top with the angle down and then use bolts with large washers to fasten to the plywood.

[RamiDav]

My Windsor is set up completely different from Bob's Diplomat .
My fresh water tank is way up forward instead of under my
black & gray tanks .
Aft of the frt wheels are my diesel , propane then fresh water tanks


My blk & gry tanks are supported by a 3/4'' sheet of plywood shelf .
Where your water tank is , mine is mostly inaccessible space .

The inverter is in that space , blocking access for the most part .



I bet Doug's tanks are essentially the same as Bob's photo and he may

not have a problem at all , it's using the water tank as support .

Although another piece of plywood still might be a good idea .


I visualized more space between the tanks with a big sag of the black
tank bottom .


Ray

[96 Wideglide]

Originally Posted by RamiDav

I bet Doug's tanks are essentially the same as Bob's photo and he may

not have a problem at all , it's using the water tank as support .

Although another piece of plywood still might be a good idea .


I visualized more space between the tanks with a big sag of the black
tank bottom .


Ray

Well, he did say his waste tanks were resting on his water 'pump', not water tank.

[Ucbyrickg]

Is the water pump mounted between the tanks?

Does the clear water tank run the full width of the inside bay?

Can you see straight through to the other side?

Rick