Community Forums

PaulStafford · 08-14-2022, 07:05 PM

I've seen a few scary stories elsewhere online of inadequate tank supports, leaving water tanks on the ground.

To those trailer owners who have dropped their coroplast and actually looked at the tank supports- how are we ORV owners set? pics would be great

I'd especially like to know about the 22FQS, but am assuming most ORV trailer models will be similar. For boondocking purposes, I would like to be able to travel with full fresh water, and drive on dirt roads.

Dave Pelletier · 08-14-2022, 08:21 PM

I've got some pics somewhere but I don't think we have anything to worry about. I travel with full tanks all the time and I did the same with my 2020 21RBS.

Dave

Dave Pelletier · 08-14-2022, 08:29 PM

My 2020 21 RBS had three U channels bolted to the frame....looks like maybe 1 1/2" deep and maybe 1/8" thick.

Flyer15015 · 08-14-2022, 08:34 PM

You know that what came from the "factory" is barely adequate to hold the tank empty, and now your going to put water in it? Are you nuts ?
For your own piece of mind, get under there and use some heavy channel iron, AND twice as many as they did..............
Water weighs 8.3#/ gal and F=MA Remember that ?
Bouncing down the trail with a tub full of water ?
Think about it.................

Mike in Colorado

Vintage465 · 08-14-2022, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulStafford

I've seen a few scary stories elsewhere online of inadequate tank supports, leaving water tanks on the ground.

To those trailer owners who have dropped their coroplast and actually looked at the tank supports- how are we ORV owners set? pics would be great

I'd especially like to know about the 22FQS, but am assuming most ORV trailer models will be similar. For boondocking purposes, I would like to be able to travel with full fresh water, and drive on dirt roads.

The tanks are held up by tow "fabricated U-channels". Prolly 16-14 gauge. One is welded in place, the tank is slid into place and then the second one on the opposite side is put up in place and screwed to the frame. One of the welds broke loose on mine...zero penetration. I rewelded both of the welded ones, then added bracing under them. The bolted ones seemed real solid so I left them be. What I wish I'd done while the coroplast was down was put a support strap right in the middle of the tank for additional support. Really frustated with myself for not thinking of that at the time.....as usual the pic is sideways. it should be rotated 90* clockwise

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JHinman · 08-14-2022, 09:41 PM

My 24KRS used a bolted cross member to support the 100-gallon tank. One bolt per end, and one end of mine came loose. The dealer fixed it, so I don’t know if there was a second supporting member.

I noticed it when I was looking for ways to run wire under the trailer. I did not actually lose the tank in the middle of some bumpy road, but if I had not seen it then I probably would have lost it on the next trip.

Dave Pelletier · 08-14-2022, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyer15015

You know that what came from the "factory" is barely adequate to hold the tank empty, and now your going to put water in it? Are you nuts ?
For your own piece of mind, get under there and use some heavy channel iron, AND twice as many as they did..............
Water weighs 8.3#/ gal and F=MA Remember that ?
Bouncing down the trail with a tub full of water ?
Think about it.................

Mike in Colorado

Where do you get the idea that the supports are "barely adequate to hold the tank empty"?

I've used both my ORVs offroad with full tanks every time without an issue. I'll let you know when my tank falls out. 😉👍

Vintage465 · 08-15-2022, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Pelletier

Where do you get the idea that the supports are "barely adequate to hold the tank empty"?

I've used both my ORVs offroad with full tanks every time without an issue. I'll let you know when my tank falls out. 😉👍

I'm not thinking that the design is barely adequate, but the design is not a good one, though nearly every manufacturer uses this design. You have about 2"-3" of "lip" on each end of the tank that supports all the weight that is generated in the center....then bouncing down the road the impact of that weight increases exponentially. And if the welds are junk like mine were, failure is almost certain. I think a center strap is a real good additional support.

Dave Pelletier · 08-15-2022, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vintage465

I'm not thinking that the design is barely adequate, but the design is not a good one, though nearly every manufacturer uses this design. You have about 2"-3" of "lip" on each end of the tank that supports all the weight that is generated in the center....then bouncing down the road the impact of that weight increases exponentially. And if the welds are junk like mine were, failure is almost certain. I think a center strap is a real good additional support.

My 21RBS has a center strap....and IIRC, they were bolted.

Dave

PaulStafford · 08-15-2022, 09:15 AM

so it sounds like the design is good, but execution can be spotty - bad welds or loose bolts.

So worth an inspection... crap - not easy to do. if only they built in inspection panels that could be dropped.

Flyer15015 · 08-15-2022, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Pelletier

Where do you get the idea that the supports are "barely adequate to hold the tank empty"?

I've used both my ORVs offroad with full tanks every time without an issue. I'll let you know when my tank falls out. 😉👍

From having owned a KOA campground in the 70's and 80's, here in Colorado, and having to fix many that came in dragging a trailer / 5th wheel with broken welds / missing hardware and broken plumbing / suspension components.

Fortunately, I was a production welder @ John Deere Waterloo, Iowa for several years.

Mike in Colorado

BeatCJ · 08-15-2022, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Pelletier

Where do you get the idea that the supports are "barely adequate to hold the tank empty"?

I've used both my ORVs offroad with full tanks every time without an issue. I'll let you know when my tank falls out. 😉👍

You did notice he was talking about a Fleetwood MH, right?

Frankly, I suspect day of the week matters, too.

Dave Pelletier · 08-15-2022, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyer15015

From having owned a KOA campground in the 70's and 80's, here in Colorado, and having to fix many that came in dragging a trailer / 5th wheel with broken welds / missing hardware and broken plumbing / suspension components.

Fortunately, I was a production welder @ John Deere Waterloo, Iowa for several years.

Mike in Colorado

So nothing specific to ORV's then?

Dave

Pretaco · 08-15-2022, 10:41 AM

Honestly, you need to remove the coroplast and check your trailer yourself. Or have somebody you trust to check yours out. Just based on things I've read on this forum and youtube videos, the manufacturing "process" is hit and miss at best.

If the tank is held in with a welded piece of u-channel, each weld will have to be inspected to be sure it is structurally adequate. Doesn't really matter how the one before yours was built, or the one after for that matter...