Hole rubbed in fuel tank

[RVTRKN]

The tank cost $682. It had a hole about 3/8 dia. with a crack starting. Know exactly how it happened. The shield was full of gravel. We replaced the tank and decided the best way to keep it from happening again was to fill the area between the edge of the tank and shield with that expandable spray foam insulation. I think that will work, might not keep everything out, but most of it. After we swept it up it was almost 3/4 cup of gravel. Anyway, it is fixed and I don't have to worry about it or the DOT. It might be a good idea for people to drop their tank and check it every now and then.

Hey EB, it's been awhile since I've read any posts from you, how's business for you?

I hauled a bunch of pea-gravel a couple of weeks ago, and when I cleaned up my truck, I inspected my tank always remembering this thread. I did find pea-gravel caught in the plate, but I had a full tank. So now that the tank is empty, how do you remove plate/guard without the tank falling with it?

 

[B.G. Smith]

Old thread but worth reading. Has an old favorite of mine on there, H. Barlow. bg

 

[EB]

The only way to do it that I'm aware of is to drop the tank. Have help if possible and make sure the tank is as empty as possible. A floor jack or two make it much easier.

Business is up and down but I'm about ready to hang it up, one more yr at the most.

 

[jelag]

I pulled a tank on a chevrolet while volunteering at a wild life refuge... drilled a hole, installed a bolt coated with the tank repair kit I bought from OReilly auto parts store.... 5/16" bolt, 2 fender washers, the fiber glass mesh from the kit and the epoxy from the kit... now 3 years later the hole is still fuel tight....

BTW it was drilled/punched by a bad guy to steal the fuel.... I opened it to 5/16 to do all this coating both the inside and outside with the epoxy... let it sit for 36 hours to be sure its hardened.... I had long enough arms to reach in through the fuel pump/gauge port on the top of the tank....

 

[NIsaacs]

Has an old favorite of mine on there, H. Barlow. bg

Yup, I agree.

Nick

 

[RVTRKN]

I'm not going to get in a ******* contest about HSmartass, but he was an expert on RV towing and some DOT regulation. It's the other subjects he talked a lot about, but didn't really know. Countless times I had to go over and beyond to prove his criticism that my posts were accurate. He was fun to post with until he perceived you were wrong, then all hell would break loose. I personally don't miss it, but I realize many members here likeed him.

Back to my tank, I looked at a 2017 C&C W/O a bed and the nice thing is the nuts are welded on top of the cross members that the bolts for the plate bolts into. I'll be dropping it this weekend, now that my low fuel light is on with only 70miles remaining on the overhead.

 

[RVTRKN]

I was to able to remove the pea gravel without removing the entire plate. here are some pictures of my home made tank support. I supported the rear of the tank and removed only the rear bolts to the plate and pulled it down enough to allow me to wash out the pea gravel then reattached the plate.