Fresh Water Holding Tank

[CraigJohn]

Hi all.
New to the forum, just having recently ordered a 2205s. I have been reading the many threads regarding the recommendations to add additional support struts to the fresh water holding tank, and was of course planning to do the same once I take possession of my new trailer. I decided to pose the question as to when they would be rectifying this obvious deficiency to their "contact us" form on their website, and received the following response:
"Thank you for reaching out. We did add extra support to our fresh tanks. We have three brackets holding the tanks in place as well as support along either of the longer sides as it rests on the frame. We have not had issues since this reinforcement. We made the switch prior to our 2023 models. Hope that helps, let us know if you have any additional questions."
Can anybody verify this upgrade, and if it is any better?

[5picker]

Originally Posted by CraigJohn

Hi all.
New to the forum, just having recently ordered a 2205s. I have been reading the many threads regarding the recommendations to add additional support struts to the fresh water holding tank, and was of course planning to do the same once I take possession of my new trailer. I decided to pose the question as to when they would be rectifying this obvious deficiency to their "contact us" form on their website, and received the following response:
"Thank you for reaching out. We did add extra support to our fresh tanks. We have three brackets holding the tanks in place as well as support along either of the longer sides as it rests on the frame. We have not had issues since this reinforcement. We made the switch prior to our 2023 models. Hope that helps, let us know if you have any additional questions."
Can anybody verify this upgrade, and if it is any better?

Welcome to the forum, I see it is your 1st post.

None of us can verify whether what the factory did is adequate.
There have been reports of added factory straps that turned out to be nothing more than banding strapping. Better?... yes but will it hold a full tank???

I would want to put eyes on what it is supported with.
I'm not saying Rockwood is lying (it is a Rockwood, correct?) I'm just saying I would want first hand verification. It is something I have done on every R/V I have purchased because towing with anything less than a full tank is silly when making long trips or boondocking.

[Reverse_snowbird]

That rig is so new that your chances of finding another member on this forum that has the answer to your question is slim.
Whether the support has been added to keep the tank from falling out or has been added to keep the tank from bowing out is unknown. It doesn't sound like they added support to the center of the tank where it tends to bow out under water pressure. I'm with 5picker... you need to get eyes on the fix.

Welcome to the forum!

[CraigJohn]

Thanks both for your replies, I will certainly be checking it when I take delivery, and yes it is a Rockwood. I also like travelling with water so I want to ensure that it is secure. Now just hoping I get it in time for the season!

[JimM2109S]

Originally Posted by CraigJohn

Thanks both for your replies, I will certainly be checking it when I take delivery, and yes it is a Rockwood. I also like travelling with water so I want to ensure that it is secure. Now just hoping I get it in time for the season!

My MY2022 MiniLite has the factory bracing for the fresh water tank as you were told. The frame cross members that run from side to side of the camper support the long sides of the FW tank, and three sections of angle iron attach to those cross members to support the middle. The ends of the angle iron are bent down into slots cut into the frame cross members and are secured with a tap screw to prevent them from popping out of the slots.

The first attached picture shows how the angle iron is attached to the frame cross members. The picture is oriented such that bottom is to the right side. You can see the end of the angle iron rising at the bottom, how the angle iron is then cut to provide a flat bar that is installed over the cross member, then bent down into the slot. The tap screw is then installed to prevent the angle iron from dislodging from the slot. The second picture shows the slot in the cross member in better clarity. Both pictures taken with an endoscope.

This can be verified removing a vent in the coloplast and using an endoscope to confirm what is inside YOUR unit when it is received.

That said, I did run Superstrut from side to side to further brace those "L"s.

[GolfingDave]

Same as @JimM2109S although I do not think I have the screws installed.
Plan on double checking that this summer. Read here some have popped out but I would bet that is on a tank with no water ever in it or completely empty. It looks like the same style and the tank will sag between the supports once water is added. With my drain being on the side that water just stays put and the weight keeps the tank down. I would have to jack up the opposite side to get all the water out. Ain't going to worry about it.
I didn't look to me there was any room on mine for the tank to bounce up anyway, tight fit to the floor.

[SailorSam20500]

Originally Posted by CraigJohn

"Thank you for reaching out. We did add extra support to our fresh tanks. We have three brackets holding the tanks in place as well as support along either of the longer sides as it rests on the frame. We have not had issues since this reinforcement. We made the switch prior to our 2023 models. Hope that helps, let us know if you have any additional questions."


Can anybody verify this upgrade, and if it is any better?

My 2017 trailer has 3 metal support bars under the FW tank. Seemed to be more than adequate solution. Additionally, I installed 2 fence post sleeves to hold my sewer hoses. They are mounted under FW tank. No idea how much support they would actually provide.
My black ad grey tanks both had 1 bar under the center of each tank. While my underbelly was off, I added 2 support straps on each.

[d_fisher]

What a lot of people noticed (on various models) was the freshwater tank sagged a bit when full (visible even with the undercarriage cover in place). Many deduced that this could be problematic if traveling with full tanks. I added a couple unistruts across the tank to provide additional support. The tank can still sag, about an inch, before the struts keep it from sagging further.

Before doing any modification, I would recommend filling your tanks and driving around a bit. Check to see how much its sagging, if at all. If you think its needs more support, the unistrut and window clamp method is simple, easy to install by yourself, and relative inexpensive.

Best of luck!
Doug

[llr]

Well I agree it would be nice to see it, however I am not going to drop the bottom for something that could be an issue. I didn't drop it or have issues on my prior Flagstaff, current Grand Design Imagine and hopefully not on my future Arctic Wolf. I almost always have a full tank, at least heading out to camp.

Also most of the issue I have seen posted have been the smaller / lower end units.

If I spent the time tearing out and fixing every possible issue with the camper I could never leave the driveway.

[d_fisher]

Originally Posted by llr

however I am not going to drop the bottom for something that could be an issue.

You don't have to drop anything. If it sag enough to be a potential issue, you can tell without dropping the bottom. It literally takes full tank and a peak under the trailer to see.


The OP had concerns, I simply gave options based on my (and others) experience. Do with it whatever you want.

Doug

[llr]

Originally Posted by d_fisher

You don't have to drop anything. If it sag enough to be a potential issue, you can tell without dropping the bottom. It literally takes full tank and a peak under the trailer to see.


The OP had concerns, I simply gave options based on my (and others) experience. Do with it whatever you want.

Doug

Absolutely, I am not saying don't pay attention, I do. If I see an issue I will address it. Many people seem to be talking about opening it up just to look.

[JimM2109S]

Originally Posted by llr

Absolutely, I am not saying don't pay attention, I do. If I see an issue I will address it. Many people seem to be talking about opening it up just to look.

If you look, I expect you'll find a vent in the coroplast. Mine has two 4" vents, one in the front and one in the back that are held in place with four screws. Unscrew the vent and see what you can see. An endoscope helps a lot.

[Funengineer]

I know this is a few months old but how did you attach the unistrut. My tongue frame runs down the outside of the I-beam, blocking access to using the unistrut clamp.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Funengineer

I know this is a few months old but how did you attach the unistrut. My tongue frame runs down the outside of the I-beam, blocking access to using the unistrut clamp.

It helps if you quoted the member you're asking.

[Funengineer]

Originally Posted by JimM2109S

My MY2022 MiniLite has the

That said, I did run Superstrut from side to side to further brace those "L"s.

I know this is a few months old but how did you attach the unistrut. My tongue frame runs down the outside of the I-beam, blocking access to using the unistrut clamp.

[Funengineer]

Originally Posted by bikendan

It helps if you quoted the member you're asking.

Thought I did.
Fixed it.
Thanks

[GolfingDave]

Originally Posted by Funengineer

I know this is a few months old but how did you attach the unistrut. My tongue frame runs down the outside of the I-beam, blocking access to using the unistrut clamp.

I have the Rockwood model 2511S, same camper.
I do not think it can be installed the same way because of that tongue frame. At least I did not see a way without adding spacers above a unistrut and pushing through the underbelly cover.

I did something a bit different last summer with everything above the colorplast. Did not post at the time because I wanted to see how it held up over the winter traveling and moving around with some water in the tank.

Plan on pulling the cover down in the next couple of weeks to take a gander at it. Will post pictures of it when I do.

[Funengineer]

Originally Posted by GolfingDave

I have the Rockwood model 2511S, same camper.

Plan on pulling the cover down in the next couple of weeks to take a gander at it. Will post pictures of it when I do.

Looking forward to seeing what you did. Our last trailer was the 25FBLS so I’m familiar with yours.

[BADinc]

I have a 2023 Micro lite 22fbs. Had 3 front to back braces. Sagged when full. I just added 3 ratchet straps side to side. Hooked on top of I beam. Ran over the 3 braces. Looked really good when full. Wish I took pictures.

[JimM2109S]

Originally Posted by Funengineer

I know this is a few months old but how did you attach the unistrut. My tongue frame runs down the outside of the I-beam, blocking access to using the unistrut clamp.

Funengineer, I just got back from a camping trip. I'll take pictures of the unistrut clamp on the I-beam when I get a chance. It's been a monsoon here today in S FL.