Don't look under your water tanks.

[Eric]

Earlier this week I had a leaking hose fitting where it connects to my bird. I
discovered the leak because water was dripping out the curb side of the bus. I
fixed the leak. Tilted the bus to dump the water and decided to open the curb
side cover that conceals the water tanks and let things dry out. Only once
before did I have a water leak bad enough that caused water to run out the curb
side.

Just for fun and because I like laying on my belly in the gravel, I decided to
look under the gray water tank. (The only tank I can get a glimpse under.) To
my horror I see how BB had supported the tank and what time and water had done
to the supports.

BB put a piece of 3/4" plywood under the tank. To get a pitch to the tank they
cut two pieces of 3/4" plywood 4" wide on curb side and about 1" wide on the
street side and laid these on edge. Any water in floor of that compartment gets
wicked up between the plys. After 14 years one of the pieces is nearly
completely failed in the foot I am able to inspect. There are large plys of the
plywood laying under the tank. The other piece shows signs of delamination but
it looks like it could still support some weight.

I have no idea how extensive the problem is because I can only see in about a
foot or so. It looks like a springtime project for me. There is no question
that I have had leaks in the wet bay. Probably a dozen or so in the 6 years I've
owned this bus. I've even hosed that area out a couple of times.

My question is: Have any of you pulled your tanks and seen delaminated plywood
supporting your tanks? I'm really hoping not to pull those tanks but perhaps
slide some tapered pieces of mahogany or other type of wood that can deal with
water in there.

Any guidance, thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.

[Eric]

Sorry, forgot to sign the above post.

Eric Perplies
96' PT-42
currently in Fredericksburg, TX


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Eric" wrote:
>
> Earlier this week I had a leaking hose fitting where it connects to my bird.
I discovered the leak because water was dripping out the curb side of the bus.
I fixed the leak. Tilted the bus to dump the water and decided to open the curb
side cover that conceals the water tanks and let things dry out. Only once
before did I have a water leak bad enough that caused water to run out the curb
side.
>
> Just for fun and because I like laying on my belly in the gravel, I decided to
look under the gray water tank. (The only tank I can get a glimpse under.) To
my horror I see how BB had supported the tank and what time and water had done
to the supports.
>
> BB put a piece of 3/4" plywood under the tank. To get a pitch to the tank
they cut two pieces of 3/4" plywood 4" wide on curb side and about 1" wide on
the street side and laid these on edge. Any water in floor of that compartment
gets wicked up between the plys. After 14 years one of the pieces is nearly
completely failed in the foot I am able to inspect. There are large plys of the
plywood laying under the tank. The other piece shows signs of delamination but
it looks like it could still support some weight.
>
> I have no idea how extensive the problem is because I can only see in about a
foot or so. It looks like a springtime project for me. There is no question
that I have had leaks in the wet bay. Probably a dozen or so in the 6 years I've
owned this bus. I've even hosed that area out a couple of times.
>
> My question is: Have any of you pulled your tanks and seen delaminated
plywood supporting your tanks? I'm really hoping not to pull those tanks but
perhaps slide some tapered pieces of mahogany or other type of wood that can
deal with water in there.
>
> Any guidance, thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.
>