Fresh W Tank “Slumps” Blows out Garage Wall

Greetings:

 

I have a ’11 Cameo 37CKSLS and recently kept noticing the side wall that is toward the front, inside the “garage” storage area was getting misaligned.  The bottom was protruding 4-5″ from where it was supposed to be.  Instead of the inside wall being vertical, the top had not moved but bottom had slid inward 4-5″.  I had been traveling a bit, and often on bumpy highways there is some serious bouncing going on so I thought perhaps the pressure was forcing the wall out of alignment.  I would use my foot and kick it back into place and go on about my business.

 

I have now discovered that the cause of this is that the water tank, when filled with water, is becoming deformed with a distinct “belly” on the side of the tank sticking out perhaps 6″ from where it would be if the tank retained the original rectangular cube shape.  The unit is now 9 years old, and likely has 100k miles on it, so it has had a great deal of use.  2 full tours of the USA at this point.  I searched the forums and believe this may be the first post about this problem.  At this point it has basically blown out the bottom of the entire wall from one side of the unit to the other.  So I’m hoping some others can provide some insight regarding this issue and potential remedies.

 

My intuition says that the tank has always likely had a tendency to bow out in the center, but that when the wall was newer it was stout enough to hold the tank back.  In time, with the significant amount of travel I think the pressure finally became too much for the wood framed wall to bear and it ripped out at the bottom.

 

Anyone know if these tanks begin to deform to a greater degree as they get older?  Any suggestions? Anyone seen this issue?

 

OT Sidenote:. I’m a true believer in the superior quality of these carriage units.  The amount of use of this unit with a truly minimal amount of problems is a testament to their quality.  I really doubt these flimsy 5th wheels I see rolling out of the dealerships these days would even have the half-life of the Carriage units.  I’m thinking about getting a Mobile Suites whenever I get rid of it, but they are much much heavier than the carriage and that’s a big negative.

 

Thanks for any replies.  Safe travels!

 

B.W.Gentry
Owner/Admin
2007 Carri-Lite XTRM5
Breckenridge, TX

Topic

[expired-memberBlockedTopics - 87Replies - 192Total - 279]

Any pic’s?? We had s 2008 Carri Lite that on a trip back from Mexico the plywood sidewall inside of the garage was pushed forward 4-5 inches toward the front.

It was caused by carrying too much water in the tank and a sudden stop pushed all that weight around.

I tried to move it back with a 10lb sledge and some plywood pads so as not to damage the wall, to no avail.

My local RV guy had more experience with the problem and got it sorted out for me. And it was a very cheap fix.

Moral of the story is to never travel with full or partially full tanks. Water is easy to come by, so leave enough in your rig to flush toilets, then fill up when you are parked for awhile.

[JohnD222ParticipantTopics - 8Replies - 520Total - 528]

M,

mine started doing this years ago, but I have had zero issues with the rear wall in the forward storage area.

nothing serious unless you spring s leak

I emptied the main storage area and removed the thin forward black wall panel.   I added a 2×2 across the top and I think there was one 2×2 across the bottom, but if not I added one. Also added vertical 2×2’s to the outer wall at each end so I had perimeter framing.  That did not hit a stud so it is mostly cosmetic.  Then I cut out  a 1/2 inch sheet of plywood to match the thin black wall panel. Ran a 2×2 horizontally along the middle of that plywood- actually a little lower than half way since the tank only goes up about 3/4 of the way, and a little shorter so it would fit between the outer wall 2×2’s.  Mounted that reinforced plywood to the new 2×2 framing with 1.5-inch screws – not longer.  Screwed the thin black wall panel to that

While I had it all apart I added a little water line and a good quality WATTS water pressure regulator and drilled out the skimpy OEM flow volume restricting inlet from shore to 5er (not the tank fill pipe), but also did add a bit of plumbing so I now fill the water tank via my hole house filter/softener.

I could maneuver in tight spaces a bit easier back then, but I find it not too difficult if you take <u>all</u> of the stuff out of the storage area versus trying to work around some of it.

unless I am headed off grid, I carry less than 1/3 of a tank of water- just above the 2nd sensor.  Phone flashlights make it easy to see into that dark cabinet

Good luck,

john

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

[moo2613ParticipantTopics - 14Replies - 43Total - 57]

Mine will bulge towards the rear if I fill it too quickly.  Some places have lots of pressure.  Sounds like about the same problem JohnD222 was having.  I am just careful when I fill it.  I almost always travel with at least a half tank.

[CLOC-AdminKeymasterKeymaster]

Thanks for all the responses!  For the record I leave my tank empty when traveling unless there is a specific reason not to.  This occurred while stationary.  Presently use the water tank because I travel for work a lot, away from the 5w, and it is in an area with freeze risk.  So when I’m there I just fill the tank, so the hose need not remain hooked up with potential to freeze.  Once it is warmer I will connect hose and just leave spigot off while away.  Not brave enough to leave hose connected and water on while away for extended periods.  Seen too many RVs with water pouring out of them because left unattended with water on for extended period.  Rebuilding the wall likely my best option.

 

Still kind of wondering if the tank bulges more because of its age.

B.W.Gentry
Owner/Admin
2007 Carri-Lite XTRM5
Breckenridge, TX

[expired-memberBlockedTopics - 87Replies - 192Total - 279]

The tank walls are only about 1/8″ thick so there isn’t much resistance to expansion even when brand new.

[Author]

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