Holding Tanks on a 99 Safari 25'

ElliottBartlett · 07-17-2003, 12:41 PM

On our 25' 99 Safari, both holding tanks are in rectangular boxes under the trailer. They have three or four metal straps going around them, presumeably to provide extra support. They have a habit of coming loose and hanging down to where they will scrape when we go over small bumps or rises going into parking areas etc. It seems as though the tanks themselves are still secure.
Does anyone have experience with a permanent fix? In the year that I've had it, they have come loose or down three times, mostly from the middle between the tanks.

**jcanavera** · 07-27-2003, 06:50 AM

Elliot, mine have not moved at this point and unfortunately I just moved my Safari back to the storage lot so I can't give you much help. I really haven't ever seen how the assembly is secured.

Obviously you need to keep those straps tight and if its a screw bolt type of assembly maybe you can use some type of lock tight compound that will keep the vibrations from backing off the screws. It is possible that you are missing some lock washers. You can always give A/S a call and see if someone can give you a fix to your problem.

Jack

Silvertwinkie · 07-27-2003, 08:14 AM

The Bambi/Safari line share many pieces. I have one tank in such a box on my Bambi, but there are no straps anywhere to be found unless I take the box cover off, it could be under the box.

JaceBeck · 07-27-2003, 11:47 AM

Elliot,
Mine are bowed in the middle, but have not broken free like yours. I'll check it out the next time I go to the trailer and see if I might have any ideas.
JC

DavidBaker · 09-03-2003, 07:39 PM

Hi,
I'm new to the forum but this topic is close to home. I bought my Safari used last year and I had a very similar experience. A couple of weeks after we got the trailer I was filling the fresh water tank in order to flush it. I had gotten the tank about three quarters full when I heard a loud noise under the trailer. I was almost too afraid to look. I did look and lo and behold one of the straps had come off on the front of the fresh water tank box. I consulted my father-in-law (an Airstreamer for 30+ years) and he said to try and screw it back in. I did but to no avail. Looks like the threads on the frame are stripped. We got under the skin and found that the bolts are screwed into the joists and only two or three threads at most are in contact. Very poor decision on Airstream's part in my opinion. Upon examination of the strap, it appears that the strap had broken free in transit from Jackson Center. We deduced this because the bolt used to hold the strap is a non-standard self threading job that looks like it had to come from a dealer. The strap was ground down on the front corner from dragging on the road to the point I was uncomfortable using it. We decided that since we do a lot of dry camping and carry 39 gallons of water frequently, the strap situation was not acceptable. I had a new strap fashioned out of heavy guage stainless steel and placed a brass washer and nut on each bolt holding the four straps. I added a drop of Loc-Tite to complete the job. It appears to be very secure. As Elliot noted, the gray water tank has the same construction but since we very infrequently travel with the gray water tank full and it is not as big as the fresh water tank, we decided to take our chances. Just something to watch out for on the 99 Safari.

Big Dee · 12-15-2003, 12:14 AM

Yes, beware of the straps. My fresh water tank broke through the straps on its maiden voyage when i was filling it full on ueneven ground. Managed to drain the tank and strap it for the 60 mile drive to Airstream service dealer. They fixed it by going to the hardware store and getting T bolts. They put them through all the straps. Service tech told me that the tank will never fall again lest it take the whole floor with it. No problems since- knock on wood.

nickcrowhurst · 12-16-2003, 08:45 AM

David Baker, a brass nut in contact with stainless steel will suffer from electrolytic corrosion, especially if you are in a salt area for road treatment in the winter. I would want all stainless bolts, washers, nuts and straps. The corrosion may not be visible. Brass fittings sometimes just collapse. I have seen this in sea-going yachts that have used brass instead of bronze for sea-cocks. Nick.