Community Forums

rarebear.nm · 12-12-2020, 10:52 PM

Tom, totally agree. I see similar issues on many RV, Class A excluded. After having done 12,000 miles to Alaska, including 700 miles on the Dempster "Highway", no problems even with nearly full waste tanks on the return trip on the Dempster. If the tanks held up to all of that I'd call it good to go.

I really feel many things on RVs in general are poorly designed and/or built.

CARLnJANIS · 12-13-2020, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rarebear.nm

Tom, totally agree. I see similar issues on many RV, Class A excluded. After having done 12,000 miles to Alaska, including 700 miles on the Dempster "Highway", no problems even with nearly full waste tanks on the return trip on the Dempster. If the tanks held up to all of that I'd call it good to go.

I really feel many things on RVs in general are poorly designed and/or built.

I agree. I can see the problem on some of the cracker boxes and assembly-line models, but it shouldn't happen on a high-end trailer. Poor design and cutting corners.

Masch · 12-13-2020, 12:40 PM

I have been fortunate and have not had any tank issues, just the valve. Peterson used thin straps in an effort to secure the tanks. There are two straps on each tank. There are also two larger straps on the outside of the underbelly supporting the tanks from the exterior. I seem to recall in an old thread, Brain stating this resolved the issue of the tanks breaking. so far so good, the tanks have held up. I do boondock often and have to drive with the tanks full.

I had printed out Tom's post on the gray tank replacement just in case, but that is another job that if it is still under warranty I will have done somewhere, at which time the supports can be reinforced. I suppose the smart thing is to do it before it becomes a problem, but I am not the smartest.......

rockintom · 12-13-2020, 01:03 PM

Mike, I have to say I'm amazed that you travel with any tank full besides the fresh water, I'd bet you money you'd be doing the tank ordeal by now. I only traveled inside the campground to empty my tanks. Never on the road and I had grey tank spliting stress issues. You are one lucky dude!

rarebear.nm · 12-13-2020, 02:05 PM

When I remounted my tanks I used heavier weight strapping. Put 4 straps lengthwise and another four straps cross wise for each tank. Left finger room between straps and tanks for tank expansion. Then after closing up the under belly I added two more heavy steel cross supports.

Now I drive with what ever amount in the waste tanks I need. Frequently, we are days between dump stations while driving. So I modified the rig to suit our RVing style and needs. Same anal approach to other systems on board our Excel. The solar system is robust enough that solar has provided 100%of our 12 v power for four years now. Both 120 to 12v converters have been turned off at the breakers since the solar went live. Batteries have never dropped below 84% SoC even running the furnace all night.

rockintom · 12-13-2020, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom

Mike, I have to say I'm amazed that you travel with any tank full besides the fresh water, I'd bet you money you'd be doing the tank ordeal by now. I only traveled inside the campground to empty my tanks. Never on the road and I had grey tank spliting stress issues. You are one lucky dude!

Mike as I look closer at the pic you sent, I see that you have the heavier gauge plumbers tape that Peterson used for a short period of time (they went back to the thin strapping steel stuff). That may be while you gotten away without having to repair your tanks. Just saying.

Fred, I did much of the same thing on my tank repair. IIRC I put 6 straps on the outside of the belly, but couldn't swear to it now. It does help with the support.

HB Phil · 07-09-2021, 01:18 AM

We travel with empty waste tanks, excpt for 5 gallons swish around in the black tank, and apart from short trips to the campground dumpsite. We usually only travel with about 10 gallons of fresh water, apart from short trips from the potable water spigot to our camsite. So far no tank problems after 14 years.

rockintom · 07-09-2021, 07:01 AM

HB, Clearly you are doing the right things to help the life of your tanks on your Excel. It's still my opinion and experience that the issue with Excel's shorter life cycle on grey and black tanks are BOTH a inadequate mounting system and a light duty/weak tank design.