R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Possible Overfill of FW Tank?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedPossible Overfill of FW Tank?
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Message Reverse Sort Order
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
GlueGuy View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 15 May 2017
Location: N. California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2653 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Possible Overfill of FW Tank?
    Posted: 26 Aug 2017 at 1:29pm
It's probably worth it for most of us to crawl under our various 'pods and examine the way things are held up (or not). I know from having worked on aircraft that there were stringent rules for how things are fastened. On an R-pod you can pull over to the side of the road. In an aircraft your options are much more limited, and the consequences considerably more dire.
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
Back to Top
StephenH View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6326 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Aug 2017 at 12:19pm
+1
After reading a post about the loss of a black water tank, I checked ours. I saw screw threads between the rail and the frame, some of which were bent. I took it to the dealer where they were tightened. One was stripped at that point so a new hole and screw were used. After I got it home, I went to my local Lowe's and bought stainless steel bolts, washers, and lock nuts. I replaced one screw in each bracket with a bolt, washer, and nut. My tanks are not going to fall off.

The black and gray water drain valve suspension is another point of failure. I had the black water drain drop down when the nut (not a lock nut) dropped off the machine screw holding it up. I wasn't happy about that. It was less expensive for me to repair it than for me to tow it to the dealer to fix, so I ordered a new output pipe and cap since the valve was still good. It got a lock nut this time around and will probably be reinforced before our next trip as I have seen some pictures of the hanger where it rusted through and failed also.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
Back to Top
mcarter View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 6:26pm
Keith n Dar - it wasn't about overfilling tank. It was about the weakness of the rail attaching sheet metal screws. I personally bolted mine thru frame rails. One rail on every tank is secured by short sheet metal screws. Mine had pulled and were not secure. There is documented loss of tanks. I took precaution of making sure that didn't happen.
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
Back to Top
Tars Tarkas View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Location: Near Nashville
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1447 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 6:06pm
Originally posted by furpod

If you look at the fill point, see that little screen at the top, above where the hose goes? If you block up or somehow prevent water from coming back out the regular fill inlet, it WILL overflow out of that vent/screen.

Yeah, I guess you're right.  I always figured that was more for making sure a vacuum isn't created in the tank.

TT
2010 176
FJ Cruiser
Back to Top
clickscrazy View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 09 Aug 2017
Location: FL
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 106 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 5:50pm
Man you can learn so much from this Forum just by scanning the posts every so often.
2018 R-Pod 171
2014 VW Touareg TDI
Back to Top
Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Location: Mayville, WI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1447 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 5:37pm
I never understood the thread about overfilling the tank and having it fallout of the pod.  I never could see how that could happen.
Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150
Back to Top
mcarter View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 4:36pm
+1 to Furpod, when my water pump check valve failed and the city water was filling my FW tank, the water came out that vent screen. That's how I discovered the FW tank was full.
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
Back to Top
furpod View Drop Down
Moderator Group - pHp
Moderator Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 8:04am
Originally posted by wthoms2000

So.... Quick question: Dry camp without a full FW tank, you really are dry camping?

Being an engineer, makes absolutely no sense to design something that is not capable of sustaining travel when full..

Enjoy!


"Dry Camping" in today's lexicon, means no hookups. It means you are self supporting, using only the on board systems. Battery, water tanks, cook top or stove, etc .
Back to Top
furpod View Drop Down
Moderator Group - pHp
Moderator Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 25 Jul 2011
Location: Central KY
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 8:01am
Originally posted by Tars Tarkas

Originally posted by furpod

nope, it has an overflow.

What does that mean?  "it has an overflow"?  It sounds like you're saying there is some sort of device that prevents overfilling. When I fill my tank I stick a hose in it and let it go until water is running out the fill-opening on the ground. 

I wouldn't say a bucket has an overflow.  I'd say I fill t until it overflows.  I don't mean to be coming across as picky, though I fear I am.  I really wonder if there something I don't know about.

Anyway, no, there is no reason to be afraid of overfilling the tank. As far as know it's not possible.  I agree, towing with a full tank isn't the best idea.

TT


If you look at the fill point, see that little screen at the top, above where the hose goes? If you block up or somehow prevent water from coming back out the regular fill inlet, it WILL overflow out of that vent/screen.
Back to Top
4Papa View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 31 Jul 2017
Location: MA
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 62 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 7:09am
Thanks all. Confirmed my suspicions. Still, that bulge only inches above the ground gets your attention. It appears to hang about as low as the black tank hose tube.  Will do this only if/when destination water availability is suspect. 
2017 180
2010 GMC 1500 Hybrid
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz