Steel plate to protect grey tank? Yea or Nay?

[Richard in Georgia]

Epilogue (and a follow up question) A few weeks ago I posted a question about repairing a damaged grey tank. Ya'll provides some sound advice and inspired reply's and for that I thank you. I decided to pay a professional. Nearby is a good and expensive RV shop. I chickened out and let them do it. They plastic welded LAYERS of HDPE over the wound. Follow up question: What are your thoughts about mounding a steel shield over the grey tank? When I asked the shop, my guy said that it would be easy to do and wouldn't cost more than $250. Your thoughts?

[Donna D.]

I think steel is overkill. All you're looking to do is prevent a rock from puncturing the tank. I have some sheet aluminum, about 2-1/2' x 4' That's what I would use on the leading edge, a bit oversized. Think 'mud flap' rather than a box. YMMV

[Richard in Georgia]

"Mud flap" - good visual

[Upfisk]

Insulate the bottom of the trailer. The 2" of foam will save the tank. Either glue on sheet foam onto the tank, or spray if you are insulating the entire bottom. That is one advantage to the bottom insulation.

[Jim Bennett]

Personally, I would not do it. I have never had an issue myself, and if I did, well I guess I would have to deal with it. But, that's me.......

[Brian B-P]

I wouldn't use any kind of metal shield. Our Boler came to use with a split in the grey waste tank (which is similar to an Escape's tank and located in the same place); I repaired it an mounted a row of cut-down rubber truck mudflaps in front of it (on the crossmember which supports the tank in the that trailer). The point is to cushion it from flying stones.

Any insulation would probably also be reasonably effective, but depending on road conditions it may be chewed up and should be inspected occasionally.

[sclifrickson]

Another thought, putting a metal plate in direct contact with a tank might adversely affect tank freezing in cold camping situations.

[Greg A]

Richard,
If you're willing to tell for info purposes, what was the cost for the RV shop to weld the tank?

[padlin]

I've run over 1 hunk of 2x? and 1 road gator that slammed into the undercarriage of the trailer. I believe the foam insulation saved me from damage. Both caused pieces of foam to get torn out from the front of the tank, which I repaired while replacing one of the dump valves. Spraying the fronts with 2 or 3"s of foam might be worth considering.

[MyronL]

I've put a lot of dirt road mileage on, out them BLM roads, suffered no damage, though once a small rock did manage to hit and put a 1/2 inch hole through my orange front top curb side marker lens. That probably happened on the interstate, but I'll never know. If I was worried I'd go with the cheapest advice.

[Richard in Georgia]

Originally Posted by greg a

richard,
if you're willing to tell for info purposes, what was the cost for the rv shop to weld the tank?

$272.50

[Richard in Georgia]

Ya'll have given me some points to ponder. I am concerned about unintended consequences. So for now, I wil pass