Black Water Tank Disaster

[Coy Theobalt]

We own a 2015 Reflection. Our black water tank has fallen through the camper to the ground twice in three months. Has anyone else had a similar issue with any tanks. GD warranty folks were great but we are wondering if this an issue with other rigs. Maybe a design issue. Thank God we were parked both times it happened and not on a freeway. Please let us here from you.
Coy and Charlotte

 

[SWJewellTN]

Um, just damn. First time I've ever heard of such a thing.

 

[TucsonJim]

Coy - I did a pretty thorough search of the forum and can't find where this has happened to anyone else. Do you have any idea what failed and why? Do you know how it was fixed?

Jim

 

[Paul & Deb]

I have heard this before and while I think it may have been on another forum, I thought I had heard of one falling out of a Reflection. Hmm.

I remember on the tour these holding tanks are unlike tanks I've had in previous trailers. Previously the tanks I've seen had a lip on the top that held the tank between 2 braces. These tanks have a channel, if you will, molded into the sides lengthwise and 2 braces snug on each side to hold them up. It is very possible for these braces to be attached to the major cross beams too loosely. The braces are set and then self tapping screws are used to attached them to the cross beams. If someone isn't being careful it would be very possible for them to be too loose as it's not jigged with close tolerance.

I will be interested to hear from Coy where his failure was.

 

[zac808]

I have seen a few posts on the Grand Design Owner's Facebook page about their tanks falling through.

 

[Canyonlight]

Here is the one post I recall on this forum regarding this item from Brenda on their 337. If you look at her other forum posts you can read more on the resolution. http://www.granddesignowners.com/fo...n-Geound-We-Need-Help!!!!!!!?highlight=ground

It will be interesting to read what more Coy shares regarding why the tank fell (twice !)/resolution/any pictures ?/dealership/etc.

Dan

 

[Coy Theobalt]

It appears the real issue is with the tank itself. When 2/3 full or more it starts to buckle in on itself. The lip of the tank curls inward and then slips down between the angle iron supports. New tank is on the way from GD. We should be back on the road by Sunday.

 

[Coy Theobalt]

Will also put metal strip across all three tanks to prevent it ever happening again.

 

[Paul & Deb]

I wonder how a new tank will be different? Are they suspecting a defective tank?

 

[Cate&Rob]

It appears the real issue is with the tank itself. When 2/3 full or more it starts to buckle in on itself. The lip of the tank curls inward and then slips down between the angle iron supports. New tank is on the way from GD. We should be back on the road by Sunday.

Hey Coy,

This is the first explanation of root cause that makes sense. Would you be able to take any pictures ?
Putting metal strips across the bottom of the tanks is going to have to allow for the expansion/sag when the tanks are full.

Rob

 

[SWJewellTN]

If the tank design is the issue then are they issuing a recall on them? Does this tank only effect the 2015 models?

 

[Paul & Deb]

If the tank design is the issue then are they issuing a recall on them? Does this tank only effect the 2015 models?

I can only think of one other report of this in GD trailers so I doubt there is such a big problem it would warrant a recall of any sort. I have read of others from other trailer manufacturers.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[minnow101]

Hey Coy,

This is the first explanation of root cause that makes sense. Would you be able to take any pictures ?
Putting metal strips across the bottom of the tanks is going to have to allow for the expansion/sag when the tanks are full.

Rob

Don't see how expansion/sag of the tank would have any detrimental effect with an additional metal support across the middle of the tanks. A 1" wide piece of a flat straight steel bar from one side of the frame to the other underneath the tank would keep that tank secured. If anything, the additional support will help prevent the sag of the tank.

 

[TucsonJim]

Does anybody have photos of how all the tanks (fresh water, black and grays) are mounted in these rigs? I've been to the factory, but can't remember that detail.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Thebohs]

I saw one during my tour of the Solitude plant. The particular one I saw was supported by two lengths of square tubing running beneath. There is literally no was for it to fall. I'm quite certain however, that the tank location and security varies widely between models.

 

[Cate&Rob]

Does anybody have photos of how all the tanks (fresh water, black and grays) are mounted in these rigs? I've been to the factory, but can't remember that detail.

Thanks,

Jim

Hi Jim,

At the Rally plant tour (of the Reflection plant), they were showing us how they load the tanks to the frame from the top, before the floor goes on. The tanks are sort of T shaped and rest on lengthwise square tube supports, under the upper arm of the T. So, I asked how the tanks would be removed for service and they showed me that the square tube supports are bolted (not welded) in, so they can be removed to remove a tank. This is why the failure mode described by Coy makes sense (to me). If the top of the tank collapsed in, allowing the ends of the T to slip off the square tube, the tank would fall. I do not recall any support beams under the bottom surface of the tanks.

Rob

 

[Scott and Jan]

I was under our 337 most of the day Monday installing blue LED lights along the frame (looks cool now at night, ablue glow all underneath). I pulled the plastic under belly down to run wires, looked at tanks, no support underneath any of the three gray or black tanks. If this starts to be a more common problem I will add cross braces under tanks. Hopefully just a couple isolated issues.

Sorry to hear this happened, hope new tank solves this for you.

 

[grampscamper]

I think I will have a look at ours when I pick it up. I may add additional straps to support the tanks. We often leave our black tank until it's 2/3 full while travelling. It looks like it isn't a very common problem but could be very serious if it happened on a highway.
I wonder if Grand Design has taken any steps to prevent this from happening on newer units.

 

[minnow101]

If one knows where the tanks are, it would preclude having to drop to chloroplast which would be save a lot of labor/time. One could just run the strapping on the outside of the cloroplast from one side if the frame to the other. Of course the issue is knowing where the tanks are as each model is different.

 

[grampscamper]

If one knows where the tanks are, it would preclude having to drop to chloroplast which would be save a lot of labor/time. One could just run the strapping on the outside of the cloroplast from one side if the frame to the other. Of course the issue is knowing where the tanks are as each model is different.

Yes. Great idea! That would be much easier.