Fresh water tank

nastyt · 04-10-2014, 07:40 AM

We have a 2010 Catalina 29RLS and I am wondering about the fresh water tank. I noticed that the under belly material was sagging under the area where the tank is. I dropped the under belly material and it looks as though the fresh water tank is bulged downward and pushing the material to the point of pushing the material past the mounting screws. Is the fresh water tank suppose to have a belly hanging below the rails?

Brother Les · 04-10-2014, 07:53 AM

I would suggest that you get your fresh water tank supports beefed up and add some more supports as there will come a day that it will fall out (seen the FW tank fall out of one Salem and bent supports on another Salem to the point it was scary close to coming out). The fresh water tank should not 'bulge' out 'down ward'..... big red flag to do something (asap). Until you do get more (and better) supports under it, have only a few gallons in it or run it as close to empty as possible.

Is the 'breather' tube working ok?

nastyt · 04-10-2014, 10:50 AM

Thanks for the reply. I believe the vent is working ok. Why do you ask? Under warranty the original vent was redirected to vent by the fill, like they were forever. It originally vented underneath and would somehow create a suction and suck many gallons of water out of the tank.

fonzie · 04-10-2014, 10:57 AM

Here's how my fresh water tank is mounted......

Bryce · 04-10-2014, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fonzie

Here's how my fresh water tank is mounted......

Is that just a piece of pressure treated plywood under it?

I'm about to replace my FW tank. it's cracked at the fitting for the tank to pump fitting and doesn't look like it can be plastic welded back together.

fonzie · 04-10-2014, 01:22 PM

[QUOTE=Bryce;584432]Is that just a piece of pressure treated plywood under it?

Yes it is....

R Whitlow · 04-10-2014, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nastyt

We have a 2010 Catalina 29RLS and I am wondering about the fresh water tank. I noticed that the under belly material was sagging under the area where the tank is. I dropped the under belly material and it looks as though the fresh water tank is bulged downward and pushing the material to the point of pushing the material past the mounting screws. Is the fresh water tank suppose to have a belly hanging below the rails?

You can get some metal cut at a local metal fabrication company. They will know how to support the weight and they can also make sure you are not taking support from the frame by drilling new holds to mount the new supports.

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Brother Les · 04-10-2014, 02:56 PM

I asked about the air vent to see if it was clogged or slow flowing to let the tank bulge.

How thick is that ply wood? 1/8th inch? Can you get it out and slide a thicker sheet under the tank? I would also try to add another angle iron bar or two for more support.

nastyt · 04-10-2014, 04:56 PM

Well I went today and picked up 4 pcs flat stock 3/8'', yeah I know overkill, but it was free. No more bulging water tank...yea! Thanks to all.

R Whitlow · 04-10-2014, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nastyt

Well I went today and picked up 4 pcs flat stock 3/8'', yeah I know overkill, but it was free. No more bulging water tank...yea! Thanks to all.

Flat stock does not support much weight it will bow and pull on the mounting bolts creating a odd loading. I would go with angle or channel.

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jeeplj8 · 04-11-2014, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nastyt

Well I went today and picked up 4 pcs flat stock 3/8'', yeah I know overkill, but it was free. No more bulging water tank...yea! Thanks to all.

post up some pictures of your mounting. I am curious how much the FW tank was bowing to begin with. They will bow some by design, it is afterall a large plastic box full of water.

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Whitlow

Flat stock does not support much weight it will bow and pull on the mounting bolts creating a odd loading. I would go with angle or channel.

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at 3/8 inch thick it would plenty strong. If that was width and the thickness is significantly less, then you are right.

nastyt · 04-11-2014, 09:26 AM

Sorry, no pictures. I was in too big of a rush just to get the darn thing fixed and buttoned back up. The 3/8'' flat stock that I used was cold rolled plate 3'' wide. I just pushed up on the bulging tank and placed one piece about 6'' from either end then spaced the others egually apart. The tank had about a 3-4'' belly in it. The factory straps appeared to be way too long or had stretched or something because they were hanging down in like fashion. In fact after I put the new supports in the straps maintained their deformed hanging of 3-4''.

jeeplj8 · 04-11-2014, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nastyt

Sorry, no pictures. I was in too big of a rush just to get the darn thing fixed and buttoned back up. The 3/8'' flat stock that I used was cold rolled plate 3'' wide. I just pushed up on the bulging tank and placed one piece about 6'' from either end then spaced the others egually apart. The tank had about a 3-4'' belly in it. The factory straps appeared to be way too long or had stretched or something because they were hanging down in like fashion. In fact after I put the new supports in the straps maintained their deformed hanging of 3-4''.

lol - 3 inch wide 3/8 cold rolled steel? That is heavier than what they used to build the Titanic...

3-4 inches of deformation is definitely more than should have been. 1-2" would be normal.

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