factory propane tank installation

[tohara]

EVERYONE,
If you own an Avenger travel trailer,
please take your propane tanks completely off, and inspect the plate underneath
I have owned my Avenger ATI 27RKS for 5 months, and was checking my tanks to see how full they were.
After removing the tanks, I noticed two broken off screw heads from under the drivers side tank, and one missing screw head from the passenger side .
Avengers way of holding down 2 full propane tanks is with FOUR 5/16 x 3/4" self tapping screws
I am attaching a picture of what I found.
called my dealer, and found out this is the factory way of attaching the propane plate.
warranty work per manufacturer is to just install new self tapping screws.


If the propane tanks would have fallen off going down the road and caused an accident or killed someone, per my local law enforcement, I would be the one liable for what ever would have happened.

[SeaDog]

Why not mfg your own attachment that uses the center rod under the plate and catches both frame rails under the rail

[tohara]

went to tractor supply and got 2 square 3/16 x 3" x 7" ubolts, drill holes for the ubolts in the plate, installed ubolts on each side of the tongue, from the bottom up (nuts are under the tanks). I cleaned up the plate and sprayed it with truck bed spray, installed u-shaped rubber gasket, on the bottom of the propane tanks, so not to have metal to metal rubbing against the tank and the plate.

[rracer5]

Originally Posted by tohara

went to tractor supply and got 2 square 3/16 x 3" x 7" ubolts, drill holes for the ubolts in the plate, installed ubolts on each side of the tongue, from the bottom up (nuts are under the tanks). I cleaned up the plate and sprayed it with truck bed spray, installed u-shaped rubber gasket, on the bottom of the propane tanks, so not to have metal to metal rubbing against the tank and the plate.

[tohara]

here's the finished product, on my propane tank plate re-enforcement project

[rracer5]

Originally Posted by tohara

here's the finished product, on my propane tank plate re-enforcement project

Nice job!

[youroo]

Originally Posted by tohara

here's the finished product, on my propane tank plate re-enforcement project

Since you posted the Same Post in 2 different locations,Please return to the first one with your "Final Solution" to tell all who gave suggestions to That Post! Youroo!!

[HemiCamping]

Originally Posted by tohara

EVERYONE,
If you own an Avenger travel trailer,
please take your propane tanks completely off, and inspect the plate underneath
I have owned my Avenger ATI 27RKS for 5 months, and was checking my tanks to see how full they were.
After removing the tanks, I noticed two broken off screw heads from under the drivers side tank, and one missing screw head from the passenger side .
Avengers way of holding down 2 full propane tanks is with FOUR 5/16 x 3/4" self tapping screws
I am attaching a picture of what I found.
called my dealer, and found out this is the factory way of attaching the propane plate.
warranty work per manufacturer is to just install new self tapping screws.


If the propane tanks would have fallen off going down the road and caused an accident or killed someone, per my local law enforcement, I would be the one liable for what ever would have happened.

I had discovered a similar issue, with my 2015 Salem Hemisphere 312QBUD. I wasn't near as crafty as you. I just added more of the self tapper screws and that was over 3 years ago. Although the bolts are still holding well, I'll be using your method in the Spring! Thanks for the good info. Happy Camping!

[hdmtnrider]

Tohara, Thanks for posting this. It's something everyone with a TT or TH should look at.

[HemiCamping]

Originally Posted by tohara

EVERYONE,
If you own an Avenger travel trailer,
please take your propane tanks completely off, and inspect the plate underneath
I have owned my Avenger ATI 27RKS for 5 months, and was checking my tanks to see how full they were.
After removing the tanks, I noticed two broken off screw heads from under the drivers side tank, and one missing screw head from the passenger side .
Avengers way of holding down 2 full propane tanks is with FOUR 5/16 x 3/4" self tapping screws
I am attaching a picture of what I found.
called my dealer, and found out this is the factory way of attaching the propane plate.
warranty work per manufacturer is to just install new self tapping screws.


If the propane tanks would have fallen off going down the road and caused an accident or killed someone, per my local law enforcement, I would be the one liable for what ever would have happened.

I had discovered a similar issue, with my 2015 Salem Hemisphere 312QBUD. I wasn't near as crafty as you. I just added more of the self tapper screws and that was over 3 years ago. Although the bolts are still holding well, I'll be using your method in the Spring! Thanks for the good info. Happy Camping!

[Ham Camper]

I had the same situation on my Surveyor Cadet 265RLDS. I did about the same thing as mentioned above. Took it all apart and sanded some rust from it. Then got bolts and nuts to attach late. Sprayed with thick undercoat and it is now sturdy as can be with no rust. That really is an accident waiting to happen from the factory.

[Restcure]

tohara, thanks for the heads up and the photos. Ours were good when we bought it used in the spring of 2016. However, I plan to swap the position of the battery and propane tanks in the spring so I'll have another look then.

[rscconrad]

For what it is worth I would not put too much trust in those u bolts. The spare is held to the bumper with U-bolts on my Crusader 290. So is the grill holder.

Both U bolts holding the spare broke on my unit. The only good thing is they broke at different times. Twice after trips I found my spare held by 1 U bolt.

I had to steal the u bolts that hold the Grill to the back bumper to keep the spare on. Interestingly enough, those two U bolts have yet to break.

I still worry about them though. Bad batch used for the spare, perhaps. Can you imagine your spare bouncing down the road traveling at 60 mph. I know thousands of spares are mounted the same way on campers and fifth wheels and it seems to work fine. I am just putting it out there that it didn't for me.

[Restcure]

I would not be concerned about the U-bolts myself. Even if they are as under-rated at rsconrad's failed bolts, they're not subject to the same bouncing or moment that a spare tire is.

[rracer5]

Originally Posted by Restcure

I would not be concerned about the U-bolts myself. Even if they are as under-rated at rsconrad's failed bolts, they're not subject to the same bouncing or moment that a spare tire is.

X2 The front of the TT (tongue) doesn't bounce anyway near as bad as the rear. You could forget & leave the TT keys on the rear bumper of the truck & they would still be there when you get to your destination.......ask me how I know! Oh, I left a screwdriver there once too.....same thing, it was still there when I got to my destination.