Snapped bolts where propane tanks sit on frame

[Life Without Whine]

Have a 2013 Micro lite travel trailer & just had to fill out propane tanks for the first time & noticed the platform on the frame was moving.... 4 of the 6 screw/ bolts had rusted & snapped!
Took an intact bolt to local hardware guy & he had nothing other than a drill bit he sold DH to try to drill out the snapped zinc screws (he broke it doing the first one).
This trailer is not old & these apparently broke on the original factory set up with just some routine monthly camping trips ... tried calling FR parts dept to find out where to find these or what to replace them with & had to leave a message ...anyone have any suggestions?

Would have hated to lose the entire propane set up ....check those bolts people!

[geotex1]

Quite often the tank mount isn't installed till the unit arrives at the dealership. Regardless of where it's installed, they nearly always use self-drilling sheet metal screws. Instead of having the screw gun used for the install torque-limited, they go at them full twist. The end result is a structurally weak connection and the heads pop off in little time if not instantly due to the stress.

Because the threads of the screws are coarse, and the thickness of the frame tube thin (relatively), you can use a hardened punch and a ball peen hammer and knock them right through into the frame. Replace them with a larger diameter, thread cutting (e.g., McMaster-Carr) screw of the needed diameter.

[sdelam]

I swapped mine out with stainless lock nuts, bolts and washers.

[sherdep]

I have a 2011 Mini Lite 2306 and the propane pan is attached by self tapping screws


you most likely could go to the next size bigger self tapper and put it in the place where the old ones where


If you take the pan off and if there is a small piece of the old self tapper still in tact - you could get a pair of channel locks and probably spin the broken ones out also instead of drilling them or punching them into the frame

[Life Without Whine]

Wonderful update (kudos for FR) ...had called the parts department yesterday & left a message....first thing this morning they called me back & put new screws in the mail at no charge .....GREAT service! (of course we still need to get the bolt remains out first & 2 of them were drilled close to the frame so no locking bolt possible there). Just had to share the good service of Forest River

[rsv4pilot]

I just bought a box of 50 SS screws to replace the crap the factory used as they break off. So far all the screws on the propane and cargo tray. Also brushed away all the rusted metal shavings from where they drilled holes and repainted everything. You'd think they could spend two seconds and blow that stuff off.

[geotex1]

Originally Posted by rsv4pilot

I just bought a box of 50 SS screws to replace the crap the factory used as they break off. So far all the screws on the propane and cargo tray. Also brushed away all the rusted metal shavings from where they drilled holes and repainted everything. You'd think they could spend two seconds and blow that stuff off.

Careful, the stainless may very well be weaker that those you are replacing, particularly if they're just 18-8 stainless. I second your comment about the metal shavings. Their corrosion eats right into the ultra thin powdercoating used!

[Life Without Whine]

so bought all the fixins' to take out those sheared bolts ... none of the extractors or drill bits worked but the penetrating oil + flame + channel locks + time did the trick (whew).
Besides that location on the trailer what other bolts should we be checking / replacing before we find this potential mess again?

[sherdep]

When I bought my 2011 2306 Brand New I have a few items that I took care of instead of waranty cause it would have cost more in gas then for me to take care of them.

axle nuts - had one that was loose so checked all four of them

also check the propane hose that comes from the regulator then down and goes under the trailer - the hose was tight against the tank holder frame which could be cut by the frame edge so put something around the hose to protect it from getting chaffed.

Hot Water Tank sacrificial Anode - check it and replace it when it is almost gone - would also suggest getting one of those wands to clean the tank out cause the anode will erode and leave sediment in the bottom of the tank.