For those that have worked on their fresh water tank...

[dstreight]

The fresh water tank on my 15A is mounted so it is loose, in all directions (side to side horizontally and up/down vertically have the largest amount of play...). Before I remedy the problem, as I can't imagine this is how it should be mounted, I thought I'd see how Escape mounted the fresh water tank in 17/19/21/23. Appreciate any and all replies!

 

[Centex]

On my 2021 5.0 there are cross-wise long wood 'spacers' filling the gap between the top of the tanks and the bottom of the shell. Not sure if the spacers are 'bonded' to the tank or shell, but poking at them did not yield any easy displacement. When empty I can move my FW tank a very small bit side / length-wise.

Yes, it does look to me like those unpainted / untreated wood spacers could rot given enough time.

Just FYI / FWIW.

 

[dstreight]

Thanks Alan. When I removed the tank to clean & modify, there was only 1 wood shim left and it wasn't bonded in anyway to the metal support channels.

My thinking: Make the tank mounting so that there is zero to minimal play.

 

[Centex]

My thinking: Make the tank mounting so that there is zero to minimal play.

I've read you regularly travel roads a lot rougher than many of us, minimizing 'fretting' of tanks vs 'hard parts' strikes me as sensible for all of us but especially you.

Confident it'll be good, I'm looking forward to seeing what you work out.

 

[dstreight]

Running short on time so I just added a couple strips of 12mm/1/2" birch plywood I had leftover from shelves project, between the rear side of the fresh water tank and the bottom of the trailer fiberglass.

Tightened the bolts that hold the rear side of the tank with the OEM angle iron to 'sandwich' the plywood the tank is now solidly mounted without play/slop.

 

[Centex]

Running short on time so I just added a couple strips of 12mm/1/2" birch plywood I had leftover from shelves project, between the rear side of the fresh water tank and the bottom of the trailer fiberglass.

Got it, when time is of the essence, ya do what ya gotta do.

I'm thinking that eventually I'll slip spacers / shims of synthetic (PVC) 'lumber' in there - I can get nominal 1x2 PVC at Home Depot and I've found the stuff runs through my thickness planer beautifully. Wood exposed to the environment under the trailer just 'bugs' me.

 

[GinoandLinda]

I'm thinking that eventually I'll slip spacers / shims of synthetic (PVC) 'lumber' in there - I can get nominal 1x2 PVC at Home Depot and I've found the stuff runs through my thickness planer beautifully. Wood exposed to the environment under the trailer just 'bugs' me.

Yep, that PVC board is amazing stuff. Pricey but super functional.

FWIW, those that have the spray foam underneath their Escapes probably will not experience this. I can't imagine anything moving around down that once that foam is applied.