How to tilt our van's water tank?

[annahendrickx]

Hi! 

We have a fresh water tank in the back of our campervan and bought it this way. Because it is laying flat, water comes back out while driving through the see through ventilation pipe. We want to tilt the tank (the side of the pipe upwards) so less water comes back out, but we don't have much tools because we are traveling around in the van. We were wondering how someone would tilt the tank without building a complex construction. 

Thanks in advance! 

 

 

 

[EricL]

Hello @annahendrickx 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's marvellous to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about tilting your campervan water tank.

Tilting the water tank should be relatively easy, but it all depends on the tools you have on hand. In order to raise one side of the water you need to cut a timber branch about 25mm to 35mm in diameter. Once cut and cleaned off you simply use this as a wedge under the tank. 

However, the next issue is to stop the tank from sliding out of its cradle. I propose finding another branch that is roughly the same size and anchoring it to the front timber lip of the water tank. If you have spare screws in the caravan, I suggest using those to fix the branch in place. You'll need a handsaw and a screwdriver to make the modifications.

If you are nowhere near any materials, one other method you can try is to roll a tea towel and place it under the water tank. I suggest using a light duty ratchet strap to hold the towel in place. The other straps you can possibly use are a belt or shoelaces. 

If you happen to pass by an area with a Bunnings store nearby, I suggest using an Adoored Large Dark Timber Door Wedge to lift up the tank and a small timber off cut which you can get from the timber yard to act as a lip for the front of the tank to prevent it from sliding.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @JoeAzza for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @annahendrickx 

Love the question And two answersish come to mind.

First Id follow @EricL's idea with the stick/timber offcut/wedge. To secure it once raised you could use an ocky strap/rope/stocking attached at the front timber then over diagonaly like a seatbelt for the tank to stop it moving.

Second idea Could you just clamp the clear pvc pipe while driving so it compresses flat much like a squashed hose? Then When you are near a Bunnings/plumbing place or pool shop you may find a tap you can put inline so you can turn it off before driving? Even A peg could work for a period.

Dave

[JoeAzza]

Hi @annahendrickx @both great ideas from @EricL and @Dave-1 

Another thought, just simply pull the venting clear hose back towards the tank and set the hose higher than the tank, as high as possible, so the water  can’t rise above the tank. Hopefully there is enough hose to do it, if not, you may need to buy extra hose to extend the original one. Happy and safe travels😀

[annahendrickx]

Hi! 

Thanks for your answer! We decided not to tilt the tank, because there would be a lot of water staying at the bottom of the tank not able to get out. We now have a system to close the clear tube at the end, which helps for now. But we noticed there is too much pressure building up in the mountains which cannot get out when there's water in the tube. 

We're going to try to rise the hose so there won't be staying any water inside it blocking the air from getting out.

Thanks for all your answers!!