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Old 07-28-2011, 02:07 PM   #1
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2,000lbs behind the rear axle?

I'm contemplating holding tanks and ideally I want to have six 30 gallon plastic barrels strapped under the rear part of the bus behind the rear axle. 2 for fresh water, 2 for grey water, and 2 for extra veggie oil fuel. I think this will amount to 1,500lbs-2,000lbs if all are full. Of course two of them should always be empty since fresh water transfers to the grey water tanks. The underbelly space in the front/mid part of the bus is already spoken for with 125gal main veggie oil tank, generator and propane tank. Man, that's a lot of weight! I think it should be okay, but just wanted to put it out there for other opinions.

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Old 07-28-2011, 02:58 PM   #2
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Re: 2,000lbs behind the rear axle?

I would figure the number of passengers that were behind the axle x 200lbs... and see what it comes too. So my rig probably around 1600-2000lbs for people load so I think you would be fine although I am far from an expert...
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Old 07-28-2011, 03:27 PM   #3
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Re: 2,000lbs behind the rear axle?

yup, water being the heaviest of the 2 , water & veg. oil.
water weights in at 8.3 lbs per gallon, but as you say it will be transferring to the grey tanks depending on use........
and the VO will be going down too as you use it.....
the way I see it you'll only be around 1000 lbs max with everything full except the grey of course.
water 8.3 lbs X 30 GALLON = 249 LBS X 2 = 498 LBS in water along.....
VO being lighter will be less....
You should have no problem hauling that with your bus, engine in front I take it?
Should balance out the weight and make it ride & handle better....
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Old 08-10-2011, 02:37 PM   #4
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Re: 2,000lbs behind the rear axle?

Here is a related question: How much weight can a galvanized pipe hanging strap hold?
You know, these things: http://tinyurl.com/4yxygj4. I'm thinking of using these straps to mount my 30 gallon holding tanks. And if anyone knows of another heavier duty strapping that is readily available, I'm all ears! I'm also going to be mounting a 125 gallon aluminum WVO tank by the same method.
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Old 08-10-2011, 03:28 PM   #5
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Re: 2,000lbs behind the rear axle?

I was also pretty dubious about those little straps, but do want to find the same type of thing but just more heavy duty. You've seen those straps that hold diesel tanks onto the big rigs, right? Those are basically just metal straps, just a larger dimension. They only use two of those to hold a 75 gallon tank. So I'm thinking a smaller strap size just means more of them per square foot of tank. But even with multiple straps, I have to agree that these little plumbing straps probably aren't quite up to the task. Surely there is a place where I can find some heavier strapping in a bulk roll? Anyone have any ideas?

Edit:
Hey, look what I just found: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/SIGNOD ... Pid=search
This is 1/2" strapping (.017" thickness) and has a breaking strength of 1,275lbs. There is also 3/4" strapping (also .017" thickness) with 1,900lb breaking strength: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/SIGNOD ... Pid=search. Now if I can find this in a smaller roll, I'd be set!
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Old 08-10-2011, 03:46 PM   #6
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Re: 2,000lbs behind the rear axle?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Iceni John
...I suggest you build (over-build?) the beefiest supports you can devise, attach them to the frame or similar structural members (not just to the floor!)...John
Actually, while I'm thinking straps for the round 30gal drums, I was originally thinking of something different for my large WVO tank since it's rectangular and therefore the weight would be concentrated on the corners of the straps. My plan for the rectangular tank is to use angle iron and threaded rods to connect to the vertical surface of the floor joists (not just the bottom lip). The smaller strapped tanks will also be attached to the floor joists.
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Old 08-10-2011, 06:57 PM   #7
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Re: 2,000lbs behind the rear axle?

Class C's 21 gallon ABS fresh water tank held up with two straps screwed to the flooring. Bounced it 1700+ miles out here... full. Bounced it the 800 miles down to and back from Corpus Christi... full both directions. Gotta have water when you are wallydocking! Has 3 straps.



We will strap the tanks on the skoolie probably using the metal straps attached to the metal floor supports. Key to strapping tank up with metal strapping is to make sure the metal strap is protected from cutting into the tank or the box surrounding the tank. The Class C's tank used some metal channel that extends ever so slightly past the box the tank sits in.
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