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Old 04-22-2019, 01:41 PM   #1
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Weight distribution help!

Hi,
Love the forum and all the help provided! This is my first post.
We have a 29' Thomas dog-nose that we are converting and I am in the process of laying out where the fresh and grey water tanks will be located. I have decided to locate them underneath the bus instead of inside due to space.
My question is will the structure be able to handle a 70 gallon tank (600lbs) that is put to one side, and if the structure can handle will it ride in a way that is less than ideal or bad for the bus/tires?
I not so much concerned about the cage that holds the tanks moreso the weight distribution of one tank being full on one side of the bus and the other being empty on the other side.
Here is a photo of the space I have underneath in the rear of the bus. I have found tanks that will fit, one on each side.
Any info is appreciated 👍


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Old 04-22-2019, 01:50 PM   #2
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We did no consideration for weight distribution in our bus and it is so far out of wack I don't see how it don't just flop over on its side. I see no issue driving down the road at all. Just got back from a 800 mile trip thru the smokey mountains and see no issue going around curves. Maybe its just me but my two cents.

One thing you want to keep in mind in keeping that water supply under the bus is freezing. You wont be using this bus in any weather that gets below 32? Busted pipes and tanks are no fun. Rocks thru the bottom or side of the tank is no good either.

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Old 04-22-2019, 04:48 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by NauticalNomads View Post
Hi,
Love the forum and all the help provided! This is my first post.
We have a 29' Thomas dog-nose that we are converting and I am in the process of laying out where the fresh and grey water tanks will be located. I have decided to locate them underneath the bus instead of inside due to space.
My question is will the structure be able to handle a 70 gallon tank (600lbs) that is put to one side, and if the structure can handle will it ride in a way that is less than ideal or bad for the bus/tires?
I not so much concerned about the cage that holds the tanks moreso the weight distribution of one tank being full on one side of the bus and the other being empty on the other side.
Here is a photo of the space I have underneath in the rear of the bus. I have found tanks that will fit, one on each side.
Any info is appreciated 👍

600 pounds is like 6 (kinda scrawny) high school kids. It would be like having two benches in the back full and the two on the other side of the aisle empty - a bus isn't going to take any notice of a situation like that.

Your fresh water's gonna freeze, though, unless you insulate around the tank and add a heating element.
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Old 04-22-2019, 04:56 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by musigenesis View Post
600 pounds is like 6 (kinda scrawny) high school kids. It would be like having two benches in the back full and the two on the other side of the aisle empty - a bus isn't going to take any notice of a situation like that.

Your fresh water's gonna freeze, though, unless you insulate around the tank and add a heating element.
an old motorhome I have vents some of the heat from the furnace into the insulated box that holds the fresh water tank - I plan to use a similar setup for my conversion ( perhaps the same furnace and vents even - lol )
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Old 04-22-2019, 06:20 PM   #5
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It will be helpful if the tank has baffles, but if you are really concerned, is there any way you can mount the two tanks between the frame rails, in the middle of the bus? That way your left to right cog will not change with use. What are the tanks made of?
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