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Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Peter on September 24, 2020, 12:01:13 pm

Title: holes in floor of fuel tanks area 3 inch diameter
Post by: Peter on September 24, 2020, 12:01:13 pm
Good morning,
I have a 98 40ft U320 and have noticed there is 1- 3 inch diameter hole in the floor of each fuel tank compartment (one compartment also has the propane tank) Are they for ventilation or can I plug them up? I am worried about mice entrance during storage in winter time in Canada.
Title: Re: holes in floor of fuel tanks area 3 inch diameter
Post by: craneman on September 24, 2020, 12:03:32 pm
They should have a wire screen over them, don't seal them up. Fuel and Propane vapors can accumulate if you seal them.
Title: Re: holes in floor of fuel tanks area 3 inch diameter
Post by: wolfe10 on September 24, 2020, 12:10:57 pm
Correct-- you need to leave them.  BUT, be sure water can not get into the basement "sandwich". 

If right behind a front wheel, a good idea to built a "deflector" .  U shaped with the base of the U forward.  I use 1" aluminum box beam and cover the bottom of it with a piece of FG or aluminum (whatever I have lying around).  Retains the vent function, but water is not driven up into the screened vent area.
Title: Re: holes in floor of fuel tanks area 3 inch diameter
Post by: Peter on September 24, 2020, 12:35:53 pm
Thanks for the knowledge and advice.
I guess I will have to build a deflector and a screen to keep the mice out!
Title: Re: holes in floor of fuel tanks area 3 inch diameter
Post by: wolfe10 on September 24, 2020, 12:37:07 pm
And, may have to use some polysulfide caulk if there is any separation that could allow water into the basement sandwich.
Title: Re: holes in floor of fuel tanks area 3 inch diameter
Post by: John Haygarth on September 24, 2020, 03:15:31 pm
For the screen part just cut a piece and caulk it to the inside floor over hole and that will do.
Johnh
Title: Re: holes in floor of fuel tanks area 3 inch diameter
Post by: Cape Bretoner on September 24, 2020, 04:19:12 pm
I went to a cargo or toy hauler trailer dealer And Purchase the side vent on the enclosed trailers which were only about $15 and mounted it underneath the coach they are slope with a grill opening on one side and are designed to let the air flow out or in for ventilation and keep water out just look at the side of any in close trailer they are usually mounted on the top corner
Title: Re: holes in floor of fuel tanks area 3 inch diameter
Post by: dsd on September 24, 2020, 05:08:19 pm
Quote from: dsd date=1599361445 link=msg=401909] quote author=wolfe10 –
1877]
GET IT OUT OF THERE.

As I mentioned in a post about coach inspections, if the diesel works its way into the basement bottom it will melt the foam board insulation and as it evaporates, the insulation will reform in "globs".
 


In looking at my vents below the propane thank noticed one was loose. Pulled all three 3" vents out by hand. P.O. must of overfueled some time and fuel leaked into foam. Damaged back about 3/4 inch. Area cleaned up and reinstalling same vent tubes. I used RTV 157 Gray (Aerospace hi temputure, hi strength/adhesion to seal top and bottom. Tomarrow I will fill with fireproof spray foam applied thru 1/8 holes on top. After foam is cured will drill out foam holes and fill with RTV 157. Thank you Brett for bringing this to my attention.
Scott
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