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Water Tank Fell Out !
My parents have a 2011 KZ Durango 35' 5th Wheel and last weekend the water tank fell out of the unit when filling at the resort.
Looks like the support bars (3) had shifted and the end one was barely hanging on. The weight of the water gave it the last push, sending it to the ground, the middle one couldn't support all that weight so one support tab on the end broke. The one remaining support held with the tank buckled around it and the tank laying on the ground.
Problem 1. With an 80% filled tank, its too heavy to do anything with. Drain it you say ? The drain end is the one that held so all the water was opposite the drain so NO water came out. Pump it into the sink and drain that way you say ? Again, that end was where the pump's pick up was and no water would pump.
So...I used a bottle jack with lots of blocking and a 2X6 in the middle of the tank, since I could get the jack under that point. Once I had the tank up a little, I used another jack to lift the far end. Now back and forth with jacks and blocking and re positioning, I was able to eventually get the tank all the way up and able to drain it. Once drained I was able to position the tank properly. I drove my vehicle over the bent supports enough to reuse them. The one with the broken tab/end, I was lucky that the resort/campground had a welder so I welded it back on. Now all the supports are back where they belong and just to be safe, I added my 1000lb strap across the middle.
This tank had not been mounted in any way. The supports had holes at the ends but no fasteners of any kind. There was putty at the ends, I guess that was to hold them ? Either way, I see this as a HUGE manufacturers defect. I wonder how many other people have had the same issue ?
They have contacted the dealership but no word on if it's covered or not, I highly doubt it since the unit is 3 or 4 years old.
Anyone with a 5th wheel, I would remove the bottom skirting and have a peek to see if yours is fastened or not. Could save someones life on the HWY if this was to happen while driving.
Happy Camping !!!
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