propane tanks broke off

[grege]

Yikes! We left yesterday for Florida. Drove 6 hours and when we got to the hotel I noticed the propane tanks and cover leaning on camper. What the heck? I straightened them and then went to park the camper. Bad move. They then fell off and I dragged them but was listening so stopped right away. I took them off and could see some very small screw heads all sheared off. I'm going to tie wrap the hose and leave them in the truck bed for the rest of the way down.

This is our first trip! Anybody else have this happen? If they would have fallen off while on the interstate I can't imagine what would have happened.

I emailed RVW last night before bed but then thought I should get some stainless bolts, drill new holes and reattach it. What do you all think?

[TexasBob]

Originally Posted by grege

Yikes! We left yesterday for Florida. Drove 6 hours and when we got to the hotel I noticed the propane tanks and cover leaning on camper. What the heck? I straightened them and then went to park the camper. Bad move. They then fell off and I dragged them but was listening so stopped right away. I took them off and could see some very small screw heads all sheared off. I'm going to tie wrap the hose and leave them in the truck bed for the rest of the way down.

This is our first trip! Anybody else have this happen? If they would have fallen off while on the interstate I can't imagine what would have happened.

I emailed RVW last night before bed but then thought I should get some stainless bolts, drill new holes and reattach it. What do you all think?

I've never heard of that happening but I'm sure someone has. I just pulled a new trailer off the lot Monday and spent 4 days looking for stuff just like this. Most likely something was loose from the beginning.

The small bolts, what were they holding on? The tray that the bottles sit in?

[Triguy]

Wow. I've never heard of this. Can you post pictures? I'm trying to imagine what busted on your unit.

Very happy to hear it wasn't worse that it could have been

[grege]

Here are some pics

[grege]

Originally Posted by Triguy

Wow. I've never heard of this. Can you post pictures? I'm trying to imagine what busted on your unit.

Very happy to hear it wasn't worse that it could have been

Yeah. All I keep thinking of is kaboom

[KyDan]

I'm still a little confused-- is there an oval "race track" shaped tray that
is not shown in the photo?? This tank tray was sitting on that platform
and held by 4 sheet metal screws??
If that's the case why not drill new holes and install 4 bolts and lockwashers
and nuts.
You can use stainless or galvanized or just plain steel and then paint them
well.

My tank tray sits directly on the frame rails and is held by 1/4 self tapping
screws. I wonder what is the purpose of your platform and why your
tank tray is not on the frame rails also?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by grege

Here are some pics

Get a Vise grip and grab the screws from below and remove them, the drill the holes out and put 5/16" SS bolts & flat washers, nylock nuts and you have a permanent fix.

[Triguy]

Thanks Grege. I have to get outside today and look at my tray for comparison and maybe it'll give you an idea for a fix. I'll do that shortly.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by KyDan

I'm still a little confused-- is there an oval "race track" shaped tray that
is not shown in the photo?? This tank tray was sitting on that platform
and held by 4 sheet metal screws??
If that's the case why not drill new holes and install 4 bolts and lockwashers
and nuts.
You can use stainless or galvanized or just plain steel and then paint them
well.

My tank tray sits directly on the frame rails and is held by 1/4 self tapping
screws. I wonder what is the purpose of your platform and why your
tank tray is not on the frame rails also?

Have replaced those 4 screws on all my tongue trailers with 5/16 SS bolts, FW & nylock nuts. Never had a problem.

[grege]

Originally Posted by KyDan

I'm still a little confused-- is there an oval "race track" shaped tray that
is not shown in the photo?? This tank tray was sitting on that platform
and held by 4 sheet metal screws??
If that's the case why not drill new holes and install 4 bolts and lockwashers
and nuts.
You can use stainless or galvanized or just plain steel and then paint them
well.

My tank tray sits directly on the frame rails and is held by 1/4 self tapping
screws. I wonder what is the purpose of your platform and why your
tank tray is not on the frame rails also?

That's in my truck bed

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by KyDan

I'm still a little confused-- is there an oval "race track" shaped tray that
is not shown in the photo?? This tank tray was sitting on that platform
and held by 4 sheet metal screws??
If that's the case why not drill new holes and install 4 bolts and lockwashers
and nuts.
You can use stainless or galvanized or just plain steel and then paint them
well.

My tank tray sits directly on the frame rails and is held by 1/4 self tapping
screws. I wonder what is the purpose of your platform and why your
tank tray is not on the frame rails also?

That's what broke off!

[KyDan]

Well you've got plenty of good suggestions how to fix it.
New larger bolts, washers, lock washers or nylock nuts will do it.

I'm still wondering-- My tank tray sits directly on the frame rails -- I wonder what is the purpose of your platform and why your
tank tray is not on the frame rails also?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Well you've got plenty of good suggestions how to fix it.
New larger bolts, washers, lock washers or nylock nuts will do it.

I'm still wondering-- My tank tray sits directly on the frame rails -- I wonder what is the purpose of your platform and why your
tank tray is not on the frame rails also?

Some are mounted directly to the frame rails and some are mounted to a raised platform that is welded to the frame to provide added height for the propane lines.

[grege]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Well you've got plenty of good suggestions how to fix it.
New larger bolts, washers, lock washers or nylock nuts will do it.

I'm still wondering-- My tank tray sits directly on the frame rails -- I wonder what is the purpose of your platform and why your
tank tray is not on the frame rails also?

Now I've got a nice step. Lol

[PhotoMaster]

What camper do you have? How old is it? May be covered under warranty. But then again I've been finding warranty services to be subpar lately. Please let us know what you do. Now I'll go check my tanks!

[Herk7769]

Your tag line says you have a 2013 camper.
I would be on the phone with the dealer.

If it is RV Wholesalers, I would also PM Mr. Dave Durnell (DDurnell) here, as he is a RVW rep on the forum.

I am sure he will make this right.

[Triguy]

Grege,
You had me curious on how this is setup on my 233S so I checked and took some pics. Seems solid to me, but my setup looks different than on your 21SS. These are stainless 3/8 inch.

I think its a good idea to fix yours through the warranty process.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Triguy

Grege,
You had me curious on how this is setup on my 233S so I checked and took some pics. Seems solid to me, but my setup looks different than on your 21SS. These are stainless 3/8 inch.

I think its a good idea to fix yours through the warranty process.

Those are the screws that broke on his. I always just removed them and drilled the holes out for a 5/16" SS machine bolt, flat washer & nylok nut.

BTW, those might have a 3/8" head, but they are 1/4" screws and very brittle. They break very easily if they are subjected to vibration if they're not tight. Just saying.

Wouldn't mess with the dealer unless the tanks or something else were damaged. Not worth the effort IMO.

[Triguy]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Wouldn't mess with the dealer unless the tanks or something else were damaged. Not worth the effort IMO.

Agreed. Your previous description makes this an easy repair; especially since I think he's on the road.

Originally Posted by OldCoot

BTW, those might have a 3/8" head, but they are 1/4" screws and very brittle. They break very easily if they are subjected to vibration if they're not tight. Just saying.

Yes - 3/8" head. I should have been more clear.

But, lets not overstate the issue either and imply that these easily or commonly break. I've owned several campers over the years and I have never had, nor heard of anyone else having, this issue. Not to say its not going to happen (because it clearly has in Grege's case) but I don't think its common.

[PrairieBoy]

A friend of mine lost his tanks. Not sure how they came off but 1 went through the floor of the trailer. The trailer would be a mid 90's and it did alot of damage. That is the only incident that I have heard of