Removing the Fresh Water Tank

[sumsmug]

Hi all

We are full timing in our '86 25ft sov. We just got back to PA after a 8 month , 16k mile, trip up to Deadhorse Alaska (on the arctic coast). Ironically, this week is the first time we have encountered really cold weather. I want to put some heat tape/heat pad on the fresh tank to stop it freezing.

Does anyone know if the Al covering over the tanks on the belly of the trailer supports the load of the tank (or in part supports the load), or can I just crawl under there, unbolt the cover without putting any stress on the tank or piping? That should be a pretty easy way to get some heat tape on the tanks and stop them freezing up.

Regards

C

[overlander63]

If it's like somewhat older trailers, the aluminum skin covers a thick hunk of plywood. You would remove two nut/bolt/washer assemblies from a piece of angle iron running across the frame, drop the angle iron, and slide the plywood forward out from under the fresh water tank. The tank will have to be supported so you don't damage any of the wires and hoses. Make sure the tank is empty, it's pretyy heavy when full of water.

[Overlander]

I'm encountering this project with my '73. I'm assuming the aluminum skin slides out too? From the looks of it, on my job, there will be no sliding out of the plywood. This plywood is completely rotten and the front side of the skin is falling down with the rotten wood exposed. Looks like an unknown leak for an unknown period of time.

[wasagachris]

Overlander from Fla The aluminum and the wood were sealed to the angle iron all the way around. This seal may or may not have failed and you may ahve to break loose this sealer in order to remove the wood and aluminum sheet.