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RodgerRuthie · 09-23-2023, 11:55 AM

Hi, This is my first time on the forum. I am having an issue with a bulging fresh water tank on my 23' 2015 BF International. The metal housing for the fresh water tank is bulging in the middle. The bolts are still secure to the under belly of the unit, but the bottom is bulging about 2" in the middle.
I had it looked at by a dealer. They want to pull the housing out. Sounds costly.

Lumatic · 09-23-2023, 12:52 PM

Some bulging with a full tank can be normal. Water tanks can be overfilled which can cause bulging. Is your tank full? Try draining a little.

CRH · 09-23-2023, 02:51 PM

Clogged vent?

crazylev · 09-23-2023, 03:29 PM

I agree. Check the vent. It's a small ~1/2" round opening cover (at least in mine) with a little screen. Mine is located next to the main filling opening. A lot of pressure can build up.

When you top off the water tank, do you see water coming out of this vent?

GOUSC · 09-23-2023, 05:37 PM

I had a post regarding this and wondering if my fresh water tank was compromised. See the follow thread;

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f44...ed-229879.html

Later I ran across another thread by GMFL (Airstream Nuts and Bolts Airstream shop in Alabama) that showed another way to support the tank if you felt it needed, or wanted, addtional support. See below;

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f44...ag-217498.html

To summarize, it seems a sag on the side near the fresh water drain is normal. However' GMFL has seen some of the Classics have fresh water tank failures as those tanks are 50+ gallons vs the normal 39 gallons in my 27' Globetrotter.

I felt GMFL's support was something I could handle to add some additional support even though what I have appears to be normal. Basically, you hang some U-bolts across the front and rear axles and join them with a steel strap. The steel strap is painted black to keep possible dissimilar metals from contact. It was a relatively easy mod to do.

wilsodf · 09-23-2023, 09:29 PM

We used to have a 2014 FC 27FB and noticed our fresh water tank cover was bulging. It was right after I filled the tank, got called away and when I came back the water was flowing out the inlet where I had stuck the hose in. My opinion was that the overflowing for about 10 mins, caused pressure build up. The built up pressure likely expanded the tank out causing the cover to deform.

Hope this helps

shannon · 09-24-2023, 06:10 PM

Speaking of freshwater tanks ... where can a vintage owner find these to purchase? The new one I purchased sat around for awhile before I got around to installing, and it turned crispy and shattered in a gillion pieces when I moved it.

ColoradoGlen · 09-24-2023, 08:40 PM

Vintage Trailer Supply has lots of tanks. I got one for my 68 Globetrotter.

RodgerRuthie · 09-25-2023, 09:44 AM

Thanks for the feedback. You given me a couple great ideas for a fix.

shannon · 09-26-2023, 02:27 AM

I think those tanks come from one original source and are sold through multiple outlets. My last one never got used. It sat waiting to be installed - for a long time, and apparently that sitting (in Texas heat), and when I was moving some things around where it was stored, something hit it and shattered it. Yup. Shattered shattered. That is slowing my buying process this time around. That and the price doubling.

AlbertF · 09-26-2023, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shannon

I think those tanks come from one original source and are sold through multiple outlets. My last one never got used. It sat waiting to be installed - for a long time, and apparently that sitting (in Texas heat), and when I was moving some things around where it was stored, something hit it and shattered it. Yup. Shattered shattered. That is slowing my buying process this time around. That and the price doubling.

UV exposure was probably the issue. I had the original waste tanks out of our 1975 trailer back in 2011, and I was very happy with their condition.