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Fresh water tank

We have a leak in our fresh water tank. We pulled the tank out and found the leak right on a crease. Do you recommend mending or replacing the tank since we already have it out. If so, does anyone have a suggestion as to where Foretravel buys their water tanks.

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #1 –
Replace  the tank imo. Call FOT for where the tank was built.
Good luck.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #2 –
Year, model of coach?
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Year, model of coach?
2005 U270 according to profile page.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Malinda Van lith –
We have a leak in our fresh water tank. We pulled the tank out and found the leak right on a crease. Do you recommend mending or replacing the tank since we already have it out. If so, does anyone have a suggestion as to where Foretravel buys their water tanks.
A good plastic welder should be able to make it better than new in that spot. Check these on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=welding+plastic+water+tanks

I've successfully welded bumpers with a $15 HF welder. The expensive ones do an excellent job.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Malinda Van lith –
...does anyone have a suggestion as to where Foretravel buys their water tanks.
Check the dimensions in the diagram linked below to see if this matches the water tank out of your coach (Front view and Right Side view labels are swapped):

https://www.epi-roto.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/elkhart-plastics-water-tanks-207W.pdf

Plastic Water Tanks | Rotational Molding | Elkhart Plastics
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #6 –
In some of the 05 coaches they didn't use the 207w tank but one with a foot.  It is not uncommon for one of them to crack in the foot area. Some have been welded with success and others have replaced the tank with a 207.  I don't recall the tank mold number or manufacturer of these tanks with the foot. The last 207 tank I got for someone was about $1500 plus shipping from Indiana.  Here is a link to a thread where the owner had a new tank built like a 207w but in stainless. 05 Bulkhead and Water Tank Leak

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #7 –
Mike,

Excellent job finding that post about the stainless tank.  ^.^d    I completely missed it when doing my search on the subject. 
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #8 –
Thanks for all the imput. We eventually just had a new plastic tank made. This one is a little thicker so we lose a couple gallons but hopefully we get it in and it all works out. We also had to get a mold made so if anyone needs a tank this size they can let us know.

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #9 –
Mike I looked at the link and didn't see anything about how thick the metal was that was used.  Do you have any Idea of metal thickness?
Thanks
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Malinda Van lith –
We eventually just had a new plastic tank made...
We also had to get a mold made so if anyone needs a tank this size they can let us know.
It would be helpful if you could post the dimensions of the new tank.  Hard for anyone to know if your tank would work in their coach without some kind of diagram showing shape and size.

Did the tank builder provide a engineering printout or cad drawing of the new tank?

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Chris m lang –
Mike I looked at the link and didn't see anything about how thick the metal was that was used.  Do you have any Idea of metal thickness?

Not sure what thickness was used.  You might send Kathy a P/M, as she does visit the Forum, and ask her if it is in the paperwork.

Mike


Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Malinda Van lith –
Thanks for all the imput. We eventually just had a new plastic tank made. This one is a little thicker so we lose a couple gallons but hopefully we get it in and it all works out. We also had to get a mold made so if anyone needs a tank this size they can let us know.
Would be helpful if the supplier/ builder could be identified for future reference and cost of the replacement. More sales will help offset the cost of building a mold and storing it.
Great information thanks
Scott

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #13 –
Sorry, I don't remember the specifics on the tank and haven't located the order form for it. Langley Manufacturing in Nac built it. They did weld inside bracing.
No other Foretravel tank will fit and the tank with the "foot" is only used in the 270. 

IMO, it is a major design flaw for a plactic tank. Fill it with water and drive down the road, the side wall flexes, the foot flexes and the tank cracks at the 90 degree inside bend.
I simplified my replacement tank by removing the foot .
Kathy
05 36' U270

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #14 –
Mine did the same . I welded the corner.

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #15 –
I have added foretravels drawings of this tank. Maybe. :))

I think this tank shape is unique to this coach. When filling the tank you can watch the top of the "foot" bulge up, but the seam where it connects to the side of the tank can't move. This is where they crack.

MOT did try repairing mine but it was unsuccessfull and I did not want to ever repeat dealing with it.
Kathy
05 36' U270

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #16 –
Wow, I hope that's legible. I don't know what happen to those drawings.
Kathy
05 36' U270

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #17 –
I don't think it is your drawings - I noticed this morning when I expanded the thumbnail photos in other threads, they also look "pixelated".  Some goofy technical glitch...I'd probably blame it on sun spots.

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #18 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
I don't think it is your drawings - I noticed this morning when I expanded the thumbnail photos in other threads, they also look "pixelated".  Some goofy technical glitch...I'd probably blame it on sun spots.


I thought it was caused by small photo size? I know I don't know. Kathy sorry that you had to go threw this, glad it is resolved. I really like the plastic but it always ages faster than aluminum or stainless. All tanks have stress issues in the corners. I always attempt to brake the corners and weld on the flat part of the tank. Rarely do they fail. Plastic outgasses and aluminum releases aluminum into the water. Stainless is so expensive and heavier. Welds are still a corrosion issue. Hopefully when someone else crosses this same problem this will give more options. Thank you for following up with info
Scott

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #19 –
Our 2004 295 also has the fresh water tank with the foot. So far no problems. I like to have the tank full of water... just in case. If I know we are going somewhere with hook ups sometimes I lower it to half. Perhaps that will stress it less. Something else to keep an eye on.
Bruce & Linda
2004 U295, Build # 6268, ISL400 CAPS
2016 Ford Explorer Sport or 1985 Jeep CJ7

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #20 –
We built the exact same tank as the one Kathy put on the forum.  Its marine grade and they say it will not bulge. We had it done at Roto-Molding, Inc in Caldwell Idaho. We have the mold. The cost for the whole thing was over 2000.
 

Re: Fresh water tank

Reply #21 –
Quote from: Malinda Van lith –
We built the exact same tank as the one Kathy put on the forum.  Its marine grade and they say it will not bulge. We had it done at Roto-Molding, Inc in Caldwell Idaho. We have the mold. The cost for the whole thing was over 2000.

Could you post some details?  Is the tank plastic and the mold metal?  Did the company make the mold and the tank?  Is the mold you have available to be used by others?
Larry Rubin
2004 U295 38' build 6278
2014 Jeep Cherokee