fresh water tank support brackets

[deb burch]

We have a 2008 25 ft Classic, which we love, but last year one of the water tank support brackets fell off completely. Luckily a driver alerted us and we retrieved it. The dealer followed Airstream's guidelines and used a larger bit screw. This year it let go again, and the next two dropped on one side (leaving only one support) It seems as if the brackets, which are quite heavy, are only held on with sheet metal screws into the aluminum skin, not into anything that is substantial. Has anyone else had this problem? Will our water tank drop? What could/should be done? Help!?

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by deb burch

We have a 2008 25 ft Classic, which we love, but last year one of the water tank support brackets fell off completely. Luckily a driver alerted us and we retrieved it. The dealer followed Airstream's guidelines and used a larger bit screw. This year it let go again, and the next two dropped on one side (leaving only one support) It seems as if the brackets, which are quite heavy, are only held on with sheet metal screws into the aluminum skin, not into anything that is substantial. Has anyone else had this problem? Will our water tank drop? What could/should be done? Help!?

You might be able to replace the sheet metal screws with toggle bolts, the same type used to hang mirrors on hollow-core doors. Think of them as the bolt equivalent to a pop rivet.