Water Heater Sag Repair

[Sbryant]

Brand new, my GT360 water heater painted panel swung out at the bottom due to the weight of the water in while going going down the highway the first day. I could shove it back in place, but it wouldn't stay. I cut a piece if thin tin, screwed along the full bottom length of the painted panel, and, with the painted panel shoved into the proper alignment, screwed the other edge to a parallel brace (all this is under the camper). If no pics show up here, I'll post another.


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[Sbryant]

Here are the pics


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[Sbryant]

Pics larger


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[abjb]

GOOD to see FR is on top of this design problem

Our 2012 (built 4/11) had this problem.
Walmart camped last year with a 2014, his was worse than ours. He hadn't noticed it, said he would be back at his dealership in a few days, hope he made it.

ab&jb

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by Sbryant

Brand new, my GT360 water heater painted panel swung out at the bottom due to the weight of the water in while going going down the highway the first day. I could shove it back in place, but it wouldn't stay. I cut a piece if thin tin, screwed along the full bottom length of the painted panel, and, with the painted panel shoved into the proper alignment, screwed the other edge to a parallel brace (all this is under the camper). If no pics show up here, I'll post another.


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You are treating the result, not the problem. Thr cause is the water heater poor foundation it allows the compartment floor to bow excessively and that forces the outer panel to shear its screws and become loose. This has been happening since 2009 or 10. This is a warranty problem, can't believe still built like that.

[Scotty2]

We had the same problem last year. Noticed the problem once we arrived at the RV Park. Went to the hardware store and bought screws and re-secured the panel temporarily until we returned home. Called the dealer and set up time for them to fix it. Once the dealer service looked at the problem they said an additional support needed to be welded in. A bracket was missing from when the coach was built. By the way we have a 2014 377 XL.

[Sbryant]

Lots of GT's have reported this problem, and they've fixed it in various ways. I don't believe that there was any "missing" bracket, just poor engineering.


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[Crockett]

looks like it needs some structural members between the outriggers he tied his strapping to. i hope this isnt some composite floor. that might explain why FR hasnt addressed this. although it appears the outriggers, or at least one is there.

[abjb]

Here's a nice thread from 2012 with pictures of the cause.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...mod-21579.html

I didn't use this repair method, I used the external support method.

ab&jb

[sherman12]

Sbryant, Thanks for the pics. Now I see what you did. I originally thought you used the metal strip as an angle bracket at 90 degrees and attached it behind the outer panel where the original "L" brackets attached, and then to the bracing channel that runs parallel. I had seen the post from 2012 but that whole process, though probably the best fix, is way beyond my mechanical abilities. Thanks again for posting your much simpler fix.

[chrisbailey13]

I had the same problem with my 352XL. The dealer fixed it once, but it looks like it is moving again. I agree I think there needs to be some support on the rear of the water heater to prevent the weight from shifting.

[Crockett]

wow...that is a wile e coyote approach FR used. Id be worried about the external fix with the shifting tank shim. Id probably shim the entire floor being sure to have a sheet down to distribute load to the corners of cabinet shelf. Id be worried 2xs edges would tear corners of plastic. Is the rest of the cabinet lost space?