Urgent Safety Issue T@B 400 Plastic Storage Tub Screws Sheared Off! (2019 T@B 400)

[Deleted User]

I just accidentally bumped the plastic storage bin on the front today and it moved several inches. Upon closer look, I found that two of the three screws that attach the plastic tub to the frame were totally sheared off!  The entire tub and propane tank were literally only hanging on by one screw!!!  First, I can't believe only three not very big screws are all that attaches the tub (80+ pounds counting the tub, tank, and mounting frame) to the frame in the first place!  Of course part of the screw is still screwed into the hole, so that has to get drilled out to repair.  My concern at this point is I don't want to simply replace the screws.  I think I need bigger and more screws!  Please go out and check your screws!! If this thing comes off the frame, I hate to think what could happen.   I emailed NuCamp about this serious matter.  I will repost when I hear back from them. I tried to attach photos but I can't get them sized properly and I finally gave up. 

rh5555

Doesn't the tub get mounted by the dealer?

falcon1970

When I was doing some "improvements" on my storage tub (the boondock metal tub rather than the plastic tub) I also noticed that it was attached to the frame with four rather small self-tapping sheet metal screws.  I replaced them with 1/4" hex-head bolts and nylon lock nuts.

ChanW

In our "320", the tub was screwed to the frame, and the propane cylinder 'rack' was bolted to the frame separately.

Is the 400 different?

falcon1970

@ChanW
In my 400 the propane bracket is welded to the tub.  With a plastic tub it probably is screwed into the frame.

N7SHG_Ham

As @rh5555 notes, the tubs are installed by the dealer. Local dealer actually did not secure one before towing to a local RV show here a year ago or so, bad things happened when it fell off.

I too have noticed pretty small self tapping screws, why they don't bolt though is probably it takes longer.

[Deleted User]

Yes, I just heard from NuCamp and the tubs are installed by the dealer.  The steel propane support bracket is attached only to the plastic tub and only the tub is screwed into the frame.  I think they were supposed to drill through the metal support frame into the trailer frame.  I will call my dealer now.  They are 3 hours away from me though, so this will be a self-fix.  Just trying to figure out the best size screw since I can't get my hand inside the frame to secure a nut.  

[Deleted User]

One thing I'm wondering that someone might know....are the screws supposed to first go through the metal propane tank support bracket, then through the plastic bin, and then into the trailer frame?  Mine has the metal propane support bracket attached only to the sides of the plastic bin, and then the plastic bin is attached to the trailer frame.  The metal support frame itself it not attached to the trailer frame at any point. It seems to me the screws should also go through the metal support bracket first, and then through the plastic bin, and then into the trailer frame.  

ScottG

TabbyShack said:

One thing I'm wondering that someone might know....are the screws supposed to first go through the metal propane tank support bracket, then through the plastic bin, and then into the trailer frame? 

...

That's how it is on my 2015--you can see the arrangement in this photo. The tub wraps under the bracket and the bracket is bolted to the trailer frame in four places. IIRC the tub is also riveted to the bracket in a few additional spots.

However, I don't know to what extent this applies to your 400.

[Deleted User]

I just went back out for another look (and better lighting) and I do see now that the screws did go through the metal mounting frame first and then the plastic. I missed it at first because the screws are gone! I wonder what caused them to sheer off in the first place!

Marceline

I have a 2013 Clamshell. By the time the trailer came into my possession a few years ago the tub was self-destructing and unsalvageable. I was lucky and got my hands on a boondock tub to replace it. If I had a trailer with a plastic tub that’s still in one piece I would reinforce the heck out of it and through-bolt it onto the frame with giant fender washers. Maybe even fabricate some kind of HPDE reinforcement at the bottom to spread out the stress. Be sure to round off any corners so there aren’t stress risers to invite cracking. 

[Deleted User]

Thanks Marceline. I'm going to see if there is any way to get my hand underneath to start a nut on the underside. I think I dont have access to the underside of the trailer in that location but I like the idea of reinforcing it.  What is HPDE?

Marceline

High density polyethylene. Like cutting boards. It’s available in different thicknesses and it’s easy to fabricate. It doesn’t rot and it doesn’t splinter. You could also use wood. Someone tried to reinforce my old tub at the bottom with a thick piece of aluminum but they didn’t round off the corners and just made matters worse. My intuition is that it might be better to make the backing out of something with a little bit of give so it’s not stressing the plastic of the tub. But I there are people around here who are better engineers. @Dalehelman

[Deleted User]

I love the HPDE idea. I will definitely look into that. 

Marceline

TabbyShack said:

I love the HPDE idea. I will definitely look into that. 

I buy from TAP Plastics but I don't know how much they want for shipping if you're out of their service area.
https://www.tapplastics.com/