'65 Caravel fresh water tank

[bobtrem]

My Caravel has the original grey fresh water tank. Can anyone tell me what is supposed to hold the tank in place? There are no straps or anything like that. The previous owner made some interior modifications, and when I removed the front bed, I found a piece of plywood and some newspaper wedged in between the bed and the tank. There are also two layers of 2x4 screwed to the floor at each end of the tank, presumably to keep it from sliding from end to end.

[Tom Nugler]

The Globetrotter's tank wasn't held in with anything either. I didn't see any attachment points for straps or blocking.
The gaucho is such a tight fit against the tank I can only assume that the designers figured that would be enough to hold it in place.
After I cleaned up the floor and repaired the bed I just set the tank on a piece of toolbox drawer liner. This is a thin piece of smooth closed cell foam designed to cushion the stuff put in the box. I thought it would do the same to the tank.
About 7 years since that work was done on the trailer and no problems so far.

Tom.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by bobtrem

My Caravel has the original grey fresh water tank. Can anyone tell me what is supposed to hold the tank in place? There are no straps or anything like that. The previous owner made some interior modifications, and when I removed the front bed, I found a piece of plywood and some newspaper wedged in between the bed and the tank. There are also two layers of 2x4 screwed to the floor at each end of the tank, presumably to keep it from sliding from end to end.

Caution.

Keep your eyes on that fresh water (colored gray) water tank.

They are very famous for cracking at the lower fittings.

Airstream switched in 67 to a different plastic which is white. Our replacement 30 gallon tank, is made with that same material.

Probably 95 plus percent of the gray colored tanks failed.

Andy

[bobtrem]

Thanks for the advice. I'm familiar with the toolbox liner that you referenced.
I may add that. My Gaucho does not fit up tight against the tank. There is about 1/2" of clearance at one end and nearly an inch at the other. Does your gaucho actually press against the tank?

[Tom Nugler]

I went out last night and took a look under the gaucho. I don't have anything to the left or right of the tank on the floor, it is tight to the front wall and the seat frame.
The filler tube between the tank and out inlet is stiff clear plastic. I think between that and the liner the tank's in solid and won't shift left or right. It's empty now and I couldn't move it.
My tank is also the grey polyethline so Inland Andy's data may need to be updated. Mine was Ohio built so it could be another one of those Califorina/Ohio differences.

Tom.

[bobtrem]

Thanks Tom,
I think I'll just add some foam to fill in the gap and be done with it. I agree, it doesn't seem to move around, but who knows what would happen with a full tank and a quick stop.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Tom Nugler

I went out last night and took a look under the gaucho. I don't have anything to the left or right of the tank on the floor, it is tight to the front wall and the seat frame.
The filler tube between the tank and out inlet is stiff clear plastic. I think between that and the liner the tank's in solid and won't shift left or right. It's empty now and I couldn't move it.
My tank is also the grey polyethline so Inland Andy's data may need to be updated. Mine was Ohio built so it could be another one of those Califorina/Ohio differences.

Tom.

Tom.

All the hard gray plastic tanks will fail.

The vast majority of them already have.

Airstream replaced thousands of them in warranty, back then.

They crack at the threaded fittings.

Andy