FE Water tank delima

dspizzle · 02-25-2018, 01:03 PM

I'm working on finding a place for my water tanks. Planning on having a 100+ gallon fresh in the back under the bed (inside so it wont freeze). But I'm having a hard time finding a place to the grey.

Option #1: Mount underneath behind the rear axel and gas tank.

Option #2: Mount in underbelly storage on one side of the bus.

Option #3: I found some space today while looking under the bus. I think there is room for a ~40 gallon tank underneath in the middle of the bus on top of the driveshaft.

Wondering if anyone has done this. Option #3 is the best location as it is closest to the shower and sink drains.

The drive shaft does not look like it has any up/down leaway at this point. That connection is a little further back towards the differential.

Thanks for the advise!

o1marc · 02-25-2018, 01:27 PM

Put your gray tank closest to the drains as you can, the less plumbing the better.

dspizzle · 02-25-2018, 01:30 PM

For sure. And that would be located in the center of the bus between the frames on between the floor and the driveshaft.

Is this a safe place of the tank?

Robin97396 · 02-25-2018, 03:52 PM

Most people try to mount the grey tank close to the fresh water tank so the shift in weight is minimal as you use up your fresh water supply.

dspizzle · 02-25-2018, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robin97396

Most people try to mount the grey tank close to the fresh water tank so the shift in weight is minimal as you use up your fresh water supply.

That would be Option #1. But the problem with that is my gray would be really far away from my shower and sink drains. Not worried about the distance with clean water because of the pump.

Twigg · 02-25-2018, 07:56 PM

Put the fresh water tank where it's convenient, and put the grey water tank close to the drains.

In a 20000 lb vehicle, a couple of hundred pounds here and there will make no difference. Bear in mind weight distribution, but don't let it rule your layout.

dspizzle · 02-25-2018, 08:00 PM

Have you heard of anyone putting their tank between their floor and driveshaft? Thats the best placement if its a safe place.

Twigg · 02-25-2018, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dspizzle

Have you heard of anyone putting their tank between their floor and driveshaft? Thats the best placement if its a safe place.

The driveshaft doesn't move up and down much, so if there is room ...

You need to allow room for the plumbing required to drain the tank too. That needs to go on the driver's side.

dspizzle · 02-25-2018, 08:12 PM

Thats what I want to hear! Yea. Should be plenty of room to the side of the driveshaft to run plumbing. Planning to shoot it out on the drivers side between underbelly storage and rear wheel. Just have to make sure its far enough from the exhaust not to melt. Should be enough space though.

Twigg · 02-25-2018, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dspizzle

Thats what I want to hear! Yea. Should be plenty of room to the side of the driveshaft to run plumbing. Planning to shoot it out on the drivers side between underbelly storage and rear wheel. Just have to make sure its far enough from the exhaust not to melt. Should be enough space though.

Well the driveshaft moves by the maximum suspension travel of the rear axle, but only at the axle end. At the gearbox it doesn't move at all, and halfway along it moves by half the travel.

You can attach string to the top of the trans joint, and move it up and down at the axle end to check the clearance.

dspizzle · 02-25-2018, 08:19 PM

Ill double check clearance. May also mount a gopro under than and take it for a spin just to double check the movement. Thats a perfect spot though because its directly under my shower and pretty close to my sink. PUMPED!

Tarheel Travelers · 02-25-2018, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dspizzle

I'm working on finding a place for my water tanks. Planning on having a 100+ gallon fresh in the back under the bed (inside so it wont freeze). But I'm having a hard time finding a place to the grey.

Option #1: Mount underneath behind the rear axel and gas tank.

Option #2: Mount in underbelly storage on one side of the bus.

Option #3: I found some space today while looking under the bus. I think there is room for a ~40 gallon tank underneath in the middle of the bus on top of the driveshaft.

Wondering if anyone has done this. Option #3 is the best location as it is closest to the shower and sink drains.

The drive shaft does not look like it has any up/down leaway at this point. That connection is a little further back towards the differential.

Thanks for the advise!

I have a FE Thomas bus and I mounted the 100 gallon tank under the bed similar to what you’re planning and a 60 gallon grey water tank on the driver side next to the frame and the driver side wall. I had about 28 inches to work with. With the size of my tank, I was able to mount it where you can’t see the tank from the side and still had room to do the plumbing on top.

I hope this helps!!

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miltruckman · 02-25-2018, 10:47 PM

I managed to install a 110gallon waste tank in the center behind the rear axle. And a 110 gallon fresh tank on the left side just in front of the rear tires.

The generator is going on the right opposite the tank to offset the weight.

I solved the drain problem by pumping everything except the shower to the waste tank. Each sink has a separate 24vdc pump like those used in sailboats. They are quite cheap on ebay, are very small in a plastic sump style pumps and pump like crazy. Faster that the faucet can run. They are available in 12vdc too.

Bill

2martins · 02-26-2018, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dspizzle

I'm working on finding a place for my water tanks. Planning on having a 100+ gallon fresh in the back under the bed (inside so it wont freeze). But I'm having a hard time finding a place to the grey.

Option #1: Mount underneath behind the rear axel and gas tank.

Option #2: Mount in underbelly storage on one side of the bus.

Option #3: I found some space today while looking under the bus. I think there is room for a ~40 gallon tank underneath in the middle of the bus on top of the driveshaft.

Wondering if anyone has done this. Option #3 is the best location as it is closest to the shower and sink drains.

The drive shaft does not look like it has any up/down leaway at this point. That connection is a little further back towards the differential.

Thanks for the advise!

Should this actually read RE for rear engine or are we talking about fresh something water tanks. I can't figure out what FE means. They can't be iron tanks, right?

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o1marc · 02-26-2018, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2martins

Should this actually read RE for rear engine or are we talking about fresh something water tanks. I can't figure out what FE means. They can't be iron tanks, right?

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FE= front engine. Hard to mount anything behind the rear axle on an RE.

dspizzle · 02-26-2018, 11:52 AM

Correct. FE= Front engine. Relevant becuase of the placement of Water tank dependent on drive shaft.

2martins · 02-26-2018, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o1marc

FE= front engine. Hard to mount anything behind the rear axle on an RE.

I didn't read the post because I was stuck on the FE tank. I guess I've just mostly seen talk of engines or RE because there are more in the front. And then it was an "FE tank" which just completely confused me. But really it meant water tank in front engine bus. Won't be the last time I'm totally confused probably!

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Tango · 02-26-2018, 07:44 PM

Just bear in mind that any "outdoor" tank can freeze solid under the wrong circumstances. Lots of folks put their freshwater indoors under the bed to avoid that problem.

o1marc · 02-26-2018, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2martins

I didn't read the post because I was stuck on the FE tank. I guess I've just mostly seen talk of engines or RE because there are more in the front. And then it was an "FE tank" which just completely confused me. But really it meant water tank in front engine bus. Won't be the last time I'm totally confused probably!

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Now you're confusing me. You say " RE because there are more in the front."? RE means "rear engine", nothing is behind the motor.

2martins · 02-26-2018, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by o1marc

Now you're confusing me. You say " RE because there are more in the front."? RE means "rear engine", nothing is behind the motor.

God knows what all is on my bus! It will be very interesting to see it again having learned a tiny bit about them since I bought it.

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