[cycle61]

Approaching time to commit to an installation method for the water tank in our van. The tank is a NW Conversion 36 gallon over-wheel tank, dimensions are 48*16*16". The current idea is to hold it in place with a pair of 1000# rated ratchet straps, which are connected to D-rings bolted to the van walls in the thickest areas I could locate, at least 2-3 layers of sheet metal each, with flanged bolts fed through from the back. The tank will have a cabinet around it that will also be secured to the wall. As with the batteries, my primary concern is making sure this 300# object doesn't become a projectile in the event of a major accident. Does this setup seem reasonable? What else should I be considering? The sides of the tank will be supported to prevent the straps from collapsing the corners, and to help minimize bowing from water pressure.

 

[kenryan]

If (in addition) you had a perimeter on the floor of something like 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 wood that is tight to the tank and well secured to the floor, that would add a lot of resistance to motion for very little effort/cost/space.

 

[cycle61]

If (in addition) you had a perimeter on the floor of something like 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 wood that is tight to the tank and well secured to the floor, that would add a lot of resistance to motion for very little effort/cost/space.

I did something similar for the batteries, that's a very good idea.

 

[Gallaher]

I have a similar NW Customs over the wheel tank in the opposite spot, behind right side wheel. I boxed mine in with 80/20 and built a couple of drawers over the top. Bolted to the van in a half dozen places.
Your straps should hold but you may want some redundancy. What stops the tank from sliding forward?
I tried to envision my van rolling multiple times at 70 mph. Of course the rollover is not likely but easier to prepare than to react in the moment.

 

[cycle61]

My thinking is for the tank to come forward, it would have to deform around the wheel well, at which point it's probably blown apart and once all the water comes out, it's a mess but not an impact hazard.

 

[INEEDAVAN]

I did something similar for the batteries, that's a very good idea.

View attachment 185342

This would also help the water tank from sliding forward or back in any way that could potentially cause the wheel well to rub a hole through the tank...but I overthink everything

 

[Gallaher]

This would also help the water tank from sliding forward or back in any way that could potentially cause the wheel well to rub a hole through the tank...but I overthink everything

The wheel well really does not touch the tank. On mine there is a lot of wasted space between wheel well and tank. Hopefully, NW Conv has adjusted the space.
Also, NW is proud of their tanks but for sure they are high quality heavy plastic tanks.

 

[cycle61]

The wheel well really does not touch the tank. On mine there is a lot of wasted space between wheel well and tank. Hopefully, NW Conv has adjusted the space.
Also, NW is proud of their tanks but for sure they are high quality heavy plastic tanks.

They changed the cutout shape, moving the tank from 32 to 36 gallons within the same exterior dimensions. It's more rounded now, and definitely fits closer to the wheel well. I don't have exact measurements though.

 

[timreg2]

They changed the cutout shape, moving the tank from 32 to 36 gallons within the same exterior dimensions. It's more rounded now, and definitely fits closer to the wheel well. I don't have exact measurements though.

The new 36 gal tank is designed to fit multiple vans, and specifically the Sprinter, which has larger wheel wells. There is at least 1-2" of clearance around the wheel with the tank sitting on the van floor. So there will be more clearance if the tank is raised up by a finished floor.

 

[gregoryx]

Nick's setup with the older version of that tank:

Finished will include additional framing over the top of the tank. Bottom rails bolted through the floor, back rails bolted into the wall, bed covers the whole thing anyway.

 

[nealcallan]

We have the NW conversion 22 gallon version. Cabinets are framed with 10 series 8020 and used these to brace the tank vertically and horizontally. Important that any method to secure the tank can be removed in case the tank ever needs to come out.
Tank Framing:

Final install:

 

[cycle61]

Nick's setup with the older version of that tank:
View attachment 185379

Finished will include additional framing over the top of the tank. Bottom rails bolted through the floor, back rails bolted into the wall, bed covers the whole thing anyway.

Two things:

1) I would love the extra interior space of an EL van, but we couldn't park it at home.
2) My name is also Nick and it catches me off guard every time you post about this other guy. LOL

 

[rf17830]

My NW Conversions wheel well tank is secured by the passenger side bench seat. I didn't strap it down. The wheel well cavity of the bench seat fits tight to the tank. This way there is no wasted bench storage space.

I have the older tank which has extra room around the wheel well. I used that extra room for a tank heater, water level gauge sensors and insulation. But I like the newer design that fits tighter and has a greater water capacity.

 

[cjdudley]

I have 1" XPS and 3/4" birch floor, so I cut the tank outline out with track saw and pulled that area, leaving a nice constraint for my tank. Then used some 3/16" steel bent and 3/8-16 rivnuts in the wall and thru bolts in the floor. Doesn't seem to go anywhere.

 

[Gallaher]

I have 1" XPS and 3/4" birch floor, so I cut the tank outline out with track saw and pulled that area, leaving a nice constraint for my tank. Then used some 3/16" steel bent and 3/8-16 rivnuts in the wall and thru bolts in the floor. Doesn't seem to go anywhere.
View attachment 185631

Excellent work, that’s not going anywhere

 

[cycle61]

3/16 steel is beefy. I'm not going to cut mine into the floor, since I don't want to lose the insulation value, but agreed, your setup looks plenty strong.