Fresh water pan fail

[dkdouglas]

We had a problem that almost ended our Labor Day trip. All 6 bolts on the rear of the fresh water pan striped out and the water tank and pan were scrapping along the interstate pavement! The front 6 bolts were all there except one and the tank was full. By the time we got pulled off the highway and stopped the back edge of the pan was almost gone but the tank was fine. One water line from the tank was broken at a junction fitting and it will not pull water to the pump. Our camping buddies had not left yet and met us with jacks and cans of bolts so we drained the tank and got it back up for our 2 hour trip to La Veta Colorado. When we get there I had lost a couple of bolts, replaced those and tightened the rest. Made it back home.

So now the problem.
Parts needed:
602520 Tank pan, Fresh water
453493 Hanger strap, tank pan

The hanger straps appear to have never been on the tank pan so I will probably get 2-4. Also I am going to have to drill out the stripped 5/16" bolt holes and go with 3/8" bolts.

My big concern is were to get the tank pan and straps? Highskyrvparts lists the straps but they are out of stock. Can't find the pan anywhere. Will JC let me order straight from them and ship out to me?
Thanks
Don

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by dkdouglas

We had a problem that almost ended our Labor Day trip. All 6 bolts on the rear of the fresh water pan striped out and the water tank and pan were scrapping along the interstate pavement! The front 6 bolts were all there except one and the tank was full. By the time we got pulled off the highway and stopped the back edge of the pan was almost gone but the tank was fine. One water line from the tank was broken at a junction fitting and it will not pull water to the pump. Our camping buddies had not left yet and met us with jacks and cans of bolts so we drained the tank and got it back up for our 2 hour trip to La Veta Colorado. When we get there I had lost a couple of bolts, replaced those and tightened the rest. Made it back home.

So now the problem.
Parts needed:
602520 Tank pan, Fresh water
453493 Hanger strap, tank pan

The hanger straps appear to have never been on the tank pan so I will probably get 2-4. Also I am going to have to drill out the stripped 5/16" bolt holes and go with 3/8" bolts.

My big concern is were to get the tank pan and straps? Highskyrvparts lists the straps but they are out of stock. Can't find the pan anywhere. Will JC let me order straight from them and ship out to me?
Thanks
Don

.. maybe.or try out of doors mart..they have most everything for as

[FloydCoVa]

You might want to check out this fix by Rob over on the 23d thread. I had to perform this fix on my 23d. Read though robs post #4004,#4007,#4009 and #4015. He really explains the fix very well and the job wasn’t to bad or expensive to do. Thanks to RFP Rob for posting this, saved me some possible trouble on the road.
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f14...66085-201.html

[RFP]

Originally Posted by FloydCoVa

You might want to check out this fix by Rob over on the 23d thread. I had to perform this fix on my 23d. Read though robs post #4004,#4007,#4009 and #4015. He really explains the fix very well and the job wasn’t to bad or expensive to do. Thanks to RFP Rob for posting this, saved me some possible trouble on the road.
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f14...66085-201.html

Thanks for your generous comments. If I've done this right, the two most 'descriptive' posts about correcting the Airstream factory's marginal design atr those below:

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f14...ml#post2422774

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f14...ml#post2425556

Forget the "just put in bigger bolts" approach... fix it right!

Rob

[dkdouglas]

I love this forum! Thanks for all the input and solutions. Plus Nuts here I come.

[derfrengaw]

I am currently getting mine repaired for the same exact thing. When installed, the factory tightened the bolts to anything. In a few cases the bolt could only be tightened a couple of threads! As far a straps go, they weren't installed. There should be some kind of bar with nuts for the bolts to thread into. Not there. My local RV dealer has photos and is finishing reinstalling the tank with straps and a proper set up to install the bolts. Padding was put around the tank to keep it from sliding inside the metal which will help prevent broken water connections. All AS owners should be inspecting how your tank is installed! (2016 FC 30RB)

[Mikebrady62]

Good to know. I will be checking ours soon.

[RFP]

Originally Posted by derfrengaw

< sinp > Padding was put around the tank to keep it from sliding inside the metal which will help prevent broken water connections. All AS owners should be inspecting how your tank is installed! (2016 FC 30RB)

The "padding" is actually insulation.

Airstream's method of attaching the fresh water tanks is terrible. Bolts into such thin metal simply will not provide proper thread engagement. Factory "overtightening" strips the bolt/thread engagement. Happens all too often.

As I've said earlier, I'm surprised the highways are not littered with Airstream fresh water tanks. Their assembly method needs a close look by a competent manufacturing engineer.