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03-21-2018, 07:47 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 70
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Water tank mounts on newer Mini Lites
It has been brought up in several threads that the 2017 Mini Lites and newer have updated water tank mounts that prevent them from falling out. I posted in one of them that I was going to pull the under skirt down and take a look, can’t remember which thread that was, so starting a new post.
On my March of ‘18 build they did add cross braces to the tank mounts. I see no way for the tank to fall out with this design. The cross braces are notched into the mounts to prevent them spreading and the tank slipping thru. Seems like a solid design.
On the other hand, the tank is pretty flimsy, and will balloon. I don’t think this will effect the integrity of the mounts, but if you got out of hand over filling it I could see the tank possibly splitting at a seam.
Either way, I’m going to travel with full water tanks and not think twice about it anymore!
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03-21-2018, 07:53 PM
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#2
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Scoundrel
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Posts: 2,802
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From the photos its hard to tell how many cross braces were added. Some supports with cross braces have failed. Are you saying they added more?
Have fun in your new Mini-Lite btw!
__________________
2024 Geo Pro 15TB, 400W Solar, 2 Golf Cart batteries
2015 F-150 5.0L V8 XLT Crew Cab, 4x4, Tow Package, 36 gal tank, 3.55 locker, 1891 payload, Integrated Brake Controller, Roadmaster Active Suspension
Wooden Spoon Survivor
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03-21-2018, 07:54 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: x
Posts: 12,423
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The problem is where the braces come across and are attached to the angle bracket is a weak spot and if the bracket bends the cross brace can come unless you drill the down leg and put a screw and nut on it to prevent it from coming out of the socket. I will look up my post in what did you do to your camper and send it to you I just fixed the problem.
__________________
Retired Navy
Jake my sidekick (yellow Lab) 10/04 - 05/20
2017 RAM 2500 CC 4X4 Cummins Diesel
2016 Flagstaff 26 FKWS
AF&AM & El Korah Shrine of Idaho
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03-21-2018, 07:55 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: x
Posts: 12,423
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__________________
Retired Navy
Jake my sidekick (yellow Lab) 10/04 - 05/20
2017 RAM 2500 CC 4X4 Cummins Diesel
2016 Flagstaff 26 FKWS
AF&AM & El Korah Shrine of Idaho
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03-21-2018, 07:57 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 70
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There are two cross braces.
The ones that I have seen fail have only had the mounts running along the edge of the tanks on each side. This has two braces running across the bottom of the tank between the two edge mounts. Short of a very unlikely occurance of a weld breaking I don’t see how these could fail, as if the cross braces bent, it would pull the side braces in gripping the tank tighter.
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03-21-2018, 08:11 PM
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#6
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Scoundrel
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Posts: 2,802
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Abendage
There are two cross braces.
The ones that I have seen fail have only had the mounts running along the edge of the tanks on each side. This has two braces running across the bottom of the tank between the two edge mounts. Short of a very unlikely occurance of a weld breaking I don’t see how these could fail, as if the cross braces bent, it would pull the side braces in gripping the tank tighter.
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My 2014 Micro-Lite came with two and I still beefed them up. Others with only two have bent (which I consider failing). Here's the thread. http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ts-135808.html
Also some photos of what I did. Whats harder to see is that I bolted on 2" x 1/4" thick angle iron for the main supports. Then added more cross members.
__________________
2024 Geo Pro 15TB, 400W Solar, 2 Golf Cart batteries
2015 F-150 5.0L V8 XLT Crew Cab, 4x4, Tow Package, 36 gal tank, 3.55 locker, 1891 payload, Integrated Brake Controller, Roadmaster Active Suspension
Wooden Spoon Survivor
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03-21-2018, 08:28 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 70
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Bummer, doesn't look like the design changed then. I didn't look too closely at the older ones.
Can anyone confirm what thickness the material was on the older units? All the supports involved on this 2018 are 1/8" material.
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03-21-2018, 09:11 PM
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#8
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Scoundrel
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Posts: 2,802
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I'm pretty sure mine were 1/8". If you search "Fresh Water Tank Support" in the search window at the top of the page you'll find enough reading material to keep you entertained from now through May. Search for "Tires" and you could go all the way to July.
One thing to note: Not everyone has this issue and you might be ok. I take my TT off-road and the dynamic load bouncing a full tank of water on the supports was not something I wanted to risk.
Cheers,
Rich J.
__________________
2024 Geo Pro 15TB, 400W Solar, 2 Golf Cart batteries
2015 F-150 5.0L V8 XLT Crew Cab, 4x4, Tow Package, 36 gal tank, 3.55 locker, 1891 payload, Integrated Brake Controller, Roadmaster Active Suspension
Wooden Spoon Survivor
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03-21-2018, 09:22 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Brazoria County, Texas
Posts: 1,460
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Yeah, I had a 2014 2104S and ran with full tanks several times with no issues. I always wondered if it had something to do with how fast the tanks were filled maybe causing ballooning if not allowed to vent fast enough.
__________________
2015 Chevy Silverado LTZ - HD tow package
2017 Rockwood 2703WS Emerald Edition
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03-21-2018, 09:53 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 70
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Doesn’t look like they changed anything in the newer models. Looks like I’ll reinforce mine then. Pretty much all my camping is boondocking 5-20 miles off the pavement. I always carry a full tank.
I think the plan is to pick up a stick of 1.5”x1.5”x3/16” angle iron and mount them up to the stock supports and add two more cross braces. Might throw some welds on the stock cross braces too.
It looks like most of the failures are at the slots stamped in the vertical portion of the angle they use. It’d be interesting to see the amount of failures, or lack thereof, if they would have only stamped the horizontal portions that the cross braces mount to.
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03-21-2018, 10:08 PM
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#11
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Scoundrel
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Posts: 2,802
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Abendage
I think the plan is to pick up a stick of 1.5”x1.5”x3/16” angle iron and mount them up to the stock supports and add two more cross braces. Might throw some welds on the stock cross braces too.
It looks like most of the failures are at the slots stamped in the vertical portion of the angle they use. It’d be interesting to see the amount of failures, or lack thereof, if they would have only stamped the horizontal portions that the cross braces mount to.
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That modification would give you piece of mind, particularly when off road. I presume both sides are stamped to expedite front/rear installation. Seems silly to me. Here's a thread on what others have done: http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...de-129346.html
Good luck,
Rich J.
__________________
2024 Geo Pro 15TB, 400W Solar, 2 Golf Cart batteries
2015 F-150 5.0L V8 XLT Crew Cab, 4x4, Tow Package, 36 gal tank, 3.55 locker, 1891 payload, Integrated Brake Controller, Roadmaster Active Suspension
Wooden Spoon Survivor
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03-21-2018, 10:37 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,011
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My January 2016 build 2504s has 2 cross braces. Fearing a failure I cut up a bed frame (1/8 inch) and reinforced the long front and rear angle brackets. Then I added short sections near each end of the tank to keep the longer braces from spreading apart. Sorry I am not very good with links, but search my posts and look at the pictures. I don’t have a welder so I bolted it together. So far no problems. Jay
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03-22-2018, 11:20 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 161
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Factory tour....
We have a 2507s on order due in early April. While on a factory tour I asked about this issue. My wife and I were shown the extra bracing they now use.
Can't wait to get our new RV
Have a Jesus filled day
Greg in Michigan
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03-22-2018, 12:32 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 70
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What did they add Greg?
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03-22-2018, 12:53 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 161
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If I remember correctly when I asking what they did You said they are using a heavier gauge metal and added 2 more pieces for support. Been about 2 months since we took the tour so I don't remember exactly but I sure felt better after he showed us what they changed. Made us feel better about ordering ours.
Greg in Michigan
__________________
2019 Rockwood 2507S
2004 Nissan Titan
Camping since 1992
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03-22-2018, 01:25 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,011
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I wonder if the extra braces were added at the ends. I just went out and measured my original frame thickness. It is 1/8. I have 2 factory cross braces, about 1/3 of the way toward the center from each end of the tank. My build date is January 2016. I have no way of knowing whether I have the “improved” version or not. I sure would like to know what they changed to make it better and when they did it. Jay
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03-22-2018, 01:27 PM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 70
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My March of ‘18 build is the same as yours Jay.
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03-22-2018, 01:49 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,011
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Thanks Abendage. We ran out tank completely full a couple of times, about 50 miles each time. We also filled up at campgrounds then idled to our site. The tank would bow down at the bottom but the frame didn’t show any signs of damage like some of the others here have had happen. Once I added the extra braces, the tank bowed down less in the middle when full of water. One of our regular places requires driving a long way with water tank full, so the piece of mind was worth it to me. Jay
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03-22-2018, 03:26 PM
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#19
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 10
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The problem with the fresh water tanks is the vent hose, it has a dip in which it does not drain, when you fill your tank, it does not vent out the hose because there is water trapped in it, by the time the pressure of the full tanks pushes out the water to vent the damage is done. The tank has ballooned out and bends the brackets. The correct fix is to make sure the vent hose has no dips in it to collect water and fill your tank slowly to allow the vent line to work correctly
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03-22-2018, 07:43 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 113
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Adding my two cents with info that's already been said. We have two braces under the FW tank and, experienced the tank-fills-from-city-water problem which I didn't catch until driving some distance with a full tank. Not sure if it happened at the same time (probably) but the front tank support was bent enough to be a concern. I jacked it up to straighten, then bolted a piece of angle iron in place to add support. Some other/better ideas for bracing in other replies but hopefully my fix will work and I won't need to worry about it any more!
__________________
Jack & April Connell
2017 Rockwood Mini Lite 2104S
Tow Vehicle: 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel
Blog for our trailer trips: www.jackandaprilblog.com
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