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Fuel tank straps
Mark Allanson - 6/4/04 at 09:57 PM

I need to anchor my fuel tank to the chassis, I know that steel straps are normally used. How are these fastened and tensioned at the rear?

I have welded in lugs at the front for bolts welded to the straps to be tensioned with a nut from underneath Rescued attachment Inner Rear Panel.jpg
Rescued attachment Inner Rear Panel.jpg

britishtrident - 7/4/04 at 05:56 AM

Use the M6 "J" bolts use for retaining sheets of roofing

Hornet - 7/4/04 at 06:58 AM

I used rivnuts into rear of chassis Mark (5mm) and brackets at front same as you.
Tank is solid and will not move.

Tigger - 10/4/04 at 10:07 AM

Another method is to bolt them down at the front but at the rear, use a strong pair of springs (one each side).
This method is used on the older Westfields.

Jasper - 10/4/04 at 12:03 PM

Much easier to do b4 rear ali is in place

Mark Allanson - 10/4/04 at 12:14 PM

Thanks for that one, Jasper

M@Triton - 10/4/04 at 12:20 PM

Put mounting lugs underneath the tank so fixing and removing is less of a problem once your panels are in place.

britishtrident - 15/4/04 at 03:07 PM

quote:
Originally posted by M@Triton
Put mounting lugs underneath the tank so fixing and removing is less of a problem once your panels are in place.


Welding brackets on is likely to cause fatigue cracks in the tank, the tradditional way to mount tanks is steel straps right around the tank cushioned by rubber to prevent chaffing. The straps are tensioned by thredeaded tensioners -- usually a long bolt with a hook at one end.

Tanks get quite heavy when full --- even if only 5 gallon locost sized, all that fuel sloshes around as the tank wall material is quite thin it causes tank wall to flex quite a lot hence fatigue cracks at seams and any welded brackets.

[Edited on 15/4/04 by britishtrident]

James - 18/4/04 at 10:26 PM

So then Mark, you've had a week- what'd you come up with?

You can tell what bit I'm doing right now can't you... ?

James

Mark Allanson - 18/4/04 at 10:38 PM

I'm dealing with the other end at the moment, I am going to make 3mm small plates which I will rivnut to the inside of the rear tube and weld some threaded bar to this. The straps will be 2mmx 30mm stainless, with a 90 degree at both ends with a hole in them, add nuts and tighten

James - 19/4/04 at 10:50 AM

Would 2mm ali straps be ok? Or not strong enough? Only ask as I have some kicking around and it'll be easier to bend than steel!

Cheers,

James

britishtrident - 19/4/04 at 11:08 AM

Really better in to be steel aluminium alloy has no real yield point. You could however could you use a bit of aluminium alloy windscreen style channel or angle or even stel RHS across the top and very long threaded rods.