Closeup view of propane tank mount on slideout models

**ShrimpBurrito** · 03-12-2009, 08:27 AM

Does anyone have some closeup photos of the propane tank mount on a later model with a slideout? A unit with the tanks mounted below the tongue....mine are mounted on top of the tongue. I am thinking about building a storage area either right at the bottom of the tongue, or perhaps a few inches lower similar to how the tanks on the new slideout models are stored, and want to get an idea of how it is designed and welded to the frame.

Thanks,
Dave

**Bill** · 03-12-2009, 11:12 AM

Dave -

Does this help? Better pics can be taken if needed, but this will start. As you can see (I hope) there are two L-shaped crossbars welded to the bottom of the frame members, one at the rear of the tanks, and one towrd the front. The tanks rest on those.

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ead.php?t=3665

Bill

**ShrimpBurrito** · 03-12-2009, 11:41 AM

Thanks alot, Bill. Are they L-shaped cross bars or U-shaped? Each bar is welded to both sides of the tongue, right? Do you know about how long of a weld joint there is?

An additional picture or two would be great if it isn't too much of a hassle.

Thanks,
Dave

**Bill** · 03-13-2009, 12:43 PM

Dave -

Here are photos from slightly better angles. I pulled out the driver's side propane tank so the structure would show a little better.

The first photo is just a stand back and get oriented photo. You can see the two crossbars that the tanks rest on - one at the back of the tanks, and one at the front. The L-pieces are 1.56 x 1.56 outside x 0.17 inches thick.

The second photo is a closer view of the ends of the two crossbars.

The third photo is the weld at the end of the rear bar. The vertical part of the "L" is butt-welded to the frame member, and the horizontal part of the "L" is lapped under the frame member and lap-welded.

The fourth photo is the weld at the end of the front bar. You can see that the vertical member of the "L" is simply butt-welded to the frame member, and the horizontal part of the "L" simply waves in the air.

Hope this helps.

Bill

**ShrimpBurrito** · 03-13-2009, 03:17 PM

Thanks alot, Bill. Very helpful. I can't tell for sure from the photo, but it looks like they added some additional metal under the frame where the L-pieces are welded to enable the tanks to hang lower...is that right? The frame on my tongue is about 5" tall x 2" wide. If they just added another piece that is the same size, that would make yours maybe 10" tall x 2" wide where the tanks are. Looks like the top of the tank is about flush with the top of the tongue, right?

I want to get an idea of about how low I can mount something without interfering with ground clearance. Just playing around with some ideas. I want to create storage space, but also don't want to add too much weight, either, since it's only a 3,500 lb axle.

Dave

**Bill** · 03-13-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShrimpBurrito

I can't tell for sure from the photo, but it looks like they added some additional metal under the frame where the L-pieces are welded to enable the tanks to hang lower...is that right?Dave

Dave - I don't have anything to compare it against, but yes, there is an extra piece of frame material in the area of the tanks, and the frame in that area is about 10 inches tall. If you don't have those extra pieces on your frame, you could simply make a shallower basket snugged up under your existing frame, or make a deeper basket that hangs as much as 5 inches below the existing frame.

Bill

**ShrimpBurrito** · 03-13-2009, 10:52 PM

Thanks, Bill.

Dave

03-15-2009, 12:01 AM

well they do make an SL option on the older 3023. I just bought the one that was listed on here last week and the ad wasnt bogus after all. He special ordered it from the factory in 2004.