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01-08-2012, 08:54 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
1978 23' Safari
Columbia
, Illinois
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 62
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Close Call
I am assuming that I am not the first person to be as dumb as I was yesterday. Decided to drop freshwater pan and tank to inspect since PO had said water poured out when he tried to fill. Friend and I removed all but 2 bolts....he was towards back of trailer me at front removing a bolt...BOOM down comes a A FULL Fresh water tank and pan. If not for having 3 extensions on socket which caught the tank about an inch off of ground I would be at best with a broken arm and missing fingers at worst a smashed head! Lesson learned..always assume tank is FULL. Here is the culprit after removal.
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01-08-2012, 09:24 PM
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#2
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moderator
Commercial Member
2016 27' International
Currently Looking...
Wilton
, California
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,711
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Yikes!
Im glad it only caused a scare for you guys. Could have been much worse. I think there is a small access panel under there allowing access to the drain plug. Next time
huh.
Cheers Vinnie
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01-08-2012, 09:38 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2008 19' Safari SE
Denver
, Colorado
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 950
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Brrrrrrrr.
__________________
"If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." - Catherine Aird
Blog: 300 Miles or 3:00
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01-08-2012, 09:54 PM
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#4
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Moderator
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,523
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Well, now you know why the water poured out when the PO tried to "fill" it!
__________________
— David
Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566
He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
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01-08-2012, 10:06 PM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
1978 23' Safari
Columbia
, Illinois
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 62
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There actually is a small crack in the tank at the very top corner which had a very poorly done patch.
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01-08-2012, 10:24 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
Southwestern
, Ohio
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,671
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crane422
There actually is a small crack in the tank at the very top corner which had a very poorly done patch.
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So it had to come out anyway. If there's no further damage (to you or the tank!) from the drop, an inexpensive addition to your store of experience.
.
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01-08-2012, 11:00 PM
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#7
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Moderator
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,255
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Holy cow! Glad it missed you! It's easy to get wrapped up in a project and not think about safety - but try to think safety first in everything you do. I've done a lot of car restoration, and had a lot of dumb close calls, and the one lesson I've learned - these projects aren't worth getting hurt over!
And now you've got to fix it and put it back...
__________________
Stephanie
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01-08-2012, 11:15 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,376
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Hi, I removed mine once [fresh water tank] while it was empty and it's still pretty heavy and awkward.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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01-09-2012, 01:16 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1978 28' Ambassador
Morada
, California
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,584
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The Red Neck Rocket guys always say:
"Safety Third"... and raise a hand with the three-finger salute...
You know, the kind a salute old tool & die fellows flash after many years 'lubricating' those hydraulic presses with their digits...
__________________
Ray & Pat; Morada, CA
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01-09-2012, 03:55 AM
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#10
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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Now... I never assume they are empty. I am working on a 57 caravaner right now. I asked the owner four or five times about the black tank. He was 100%sure it was empty. It wasn't. Thank God I had a bucket close by.
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01-09-2012, 05:10 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
Tampa Bay
, ^
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 762
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I just dropped (eased to the ground) my tank as well on a 77 Sovereign not knowing if it had water in it or not. I believe it is around 50-55 gallons, so I wasn't going to take any chances at 8 lbs. per gallon. I set up 4 cinder blocks with 2 2x4's stretched across about an inch below the attached pan. I cranked out all the bolts and it just set down on the 2x4's. Then I had leverage to lift with and lower two of the blocks and slide down the tank and pan on the wood to the ground. And YES, it was 3/4 full and was quite heavy. I later hooked up a pump to it and drained it. I work alone on my trailer and couldn't take the chance of being pinned under there. I knew my cell phone would be out of reach and no one would hear me screaming! Would that be "AirScreaming?"
__________________
Out in the woods, or in the city, It's all the same to me.
When I'm drivin' free, the world's my home....When I'm mobile.
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01-09-2012, 05:30 AM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member
1980 31' Excella II
Springfield
, Illinois
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 56
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I have the same water tank in my excella and tank couldn't be repaired from all that I had read. After receiving the new tank from Andy at Inland in a couple of days and figuring out how to put all the wires back in and stay out of the Vulkem, it was too bad of a job.
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01-17-2012, 01:15 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1978 28' Ambassador
Morada
, California
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,584
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Pulled out water tank today... posted some pics, etc., here: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f173...way-41888.html
Go down to post #48
Process was straight forward, as I was sure to remove the drain plug FIRST!
I was kind of disappointed with all the 'trash' that AS had left in the bottom of the pan - then laid the tank right on top of that junk!
Also, the Styrofoam on the forward side was installed by AS without notching an area to allow the warm air to circulate into the water tank channels and prevent freezing...sloppy work back in 1978 - has it improved these days? Sure hope so!
Working on our old AS's is an enlightening experience, to say the least...
__________________
Ray & Pat; Morada, CA
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01-24-2012, 08:23 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1973 31' Sovereign
2007 20' Safari SE
Vintage Kin Owner
Wesley Chapel
, Florida
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 886
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crane422
There actually is a small crack in the tank at the very top corner which had a very poorly done patch.
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Just wondering how are you planning to fix the crack?
__________________
Still One Nation under GOD
2 chronicles 7:14
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01-25-2012, 04:34 PM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
1978 23' Safari
Columbia
, Illinois
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 62
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VeggieBullet
Just wondering how are you planning to fix the crack?
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I have no idea. I need to read up on it. I am glad it's at the top because there is no real pressure on it even when it's full. The weather has been fairly blah around here so the tank sits under the trailer awaiting its repair along with everything else.
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