Access to fresh water tank to replace sensors

[tintin]

On my 1986 Fleetwood Southwind Eagle the grey and black water tanks are easily accessible from underneath the coach, however I am not able to see the fresh water tank.  It appears to be built into the coach when the unit was built and goes across the chassis above the lower compartments. Any ideas how and where I could get access to replace the sensors?

[Rickf1985]

That is a real good question. I have the pressure fill tank on mine and the over flow tube is just to the rear of the entry on the passenger side, the fill is down very low at the bottom of the level of the compartments on the drivers side. There is no evidence of the tank at all from underneath, (I have spent enough time under there working on drive shafts, I would have seen it). And contrary to what anybody has said in the past, THERE ARE NO DRAINS!!! I am going to have to look into where the sensors are and also how the tank comes out if need be.

[TerryH]

In my case it is under the bed on top of the floor, which keeps it somewhat warm in winter. As I am single I change the rear corner double bed to a twin. At the same time I removed the bed base/platform - it wasn't designed to be easily removable. The original was very similar in construction to a hollow core door. I replaced it with 1/2" plywood with a 48" 'door' that is hinged one side. It is shorter than the length of the bed. I added 4" sides to stop the mattress from sliding, 1 1/2" x 1/4" closed cell foam under all pieces, slide pulls to keep the door closed tight to the foam and recessed ring pulls to raise the door. With mine I can raise the door with the mattress in place. Gives me access to the tank, a lot of plumbing and electrical, the rear engine heater, fresh water pump and storage for some items that I don't need regularly.
If something similar worked for you, you could keep the original mattress, eliminate the 4" sides and remove it to access the door.
Not sure if it suits your needs, but works well for me.

[tintin]

Hi Rick & Terry,


Thank you so much for your feedback. When I have a chance I will try and remove the top of the bed platform to get to the floor area  and see what's under the carpet. Hoping that there will be some kind of utility door...


Question, do you know who makes these sensors and where I could find them?


Thanks again!

[Hobbes]

One more place to look: my coach has two fresh water tanks, one under each dinette bench.  Rick, I would think yours would be the same.

Sorry I can't help on where to buy new sensors...

[Rickf1985]

I have nothing visible under any of the closets or dinettes. I would assume it goes straight across from where the fill is to where the overflow is across the chassis. But it is going to be between the floor and the underside of the chassis. The water pump and hot water tank are right above where the overflow is on the opposite side from the fill, another reason I believe it goes straight across.

[Rickf1985]

I just got some engineering drawings for mine and it looks like the tank "May" be on the passenger side in front of the water heater under the coat closet floor. I say "May" be because I was under there before doing plumbing work on my water heater and water pump, (that is where the pump is by the way) and I do not recall the tank there but I was not looking for it either. The drawings I was looking at were electrical drawings and they show the tank sensors being on the heater side of the tank. Now this is on a 31 foot 1989 Chieftain so take that all into consideration.

[BrianB]

That is where my tank is. Between passenger side door and wheel well, under the closet. Above the floor. 86 Chieftain, 31 foot.

[dickcarl]

God, I miss my old Class "C".  Tanks were all easily accessible under the bed.  I looked under there the other day, and it's all linens, makeup and jewelry.  #happywifehappylife

[Elandan2]

Try lifting the floor of the closet. They are usually laid in there with a friction fit.

[Rickf1985]

Check the doors under the coat closet, I just noticed the other day I have removable panels in there but somewhere along the line they had spice racks put over them. I am going to take the racks out and see what the panels cover. I am sure one will be the water pump which should also access the tank sensors.

[TerryH]

I would suspect it depends on model, year, layout and coach manufacturer. In my case, 27RC, 1992, the dinette was passenger side. Rear most seat went over 1/3 of the wheel well. the next 1/3 was under the first half of the coat closet. That second 1/3rd and the last third is accessible by removable bottom panels. Given the shorter length of mine everything under the panels is storage only - no infrastructure.
Suggestion would be follow your fresh water tank feed point - not the city water inlet. Filling the tank from the feed means fighting the air that is in the tank - hence a vent which exhausts the displaced air. Generally the inlet will be as close as possible to the tank. City water connection does not rely on your fresh water tank - it is already pressurized.
I am very interested in hearing of where yours is located.
As for sensors - many owners have given up on relying on them. More so with grey and black water tanks, but also with fresh. Seems that their propensity to giving inaccurate readings suggests that experience with usage works better.

[CapnDirk]

On my Suncruiser, (a basement type) black and gray are on left side just behind the rear wheels.  Fresh water is under the floor, on centerline.  By that I mean under the floor in the area of the rear bed, but not under the bed.  If you open either of the rear most basement doors you can see it.

[Rickf1985]

Don't like that idea! Putting all of the water weight behind the rear axle? Not a brilliant design idea.

[CapnDirk]

I had not thought of that,  gray and black tanks are right behind the axle, and the fresh tank behind them. 


You have me curious now, I'm going to check the tank size and how far behind the axle it is.  I believe its behind where the P30 chassis would end.