I was prepping my
Bigfoot 25RQ for a
dry camping trip. When ever I do that I always pre-rinse the holding tanks (a slight obsession) and chlorinate the fresh water tank and empty. I don't like to drive with full tanks. Well, I noticed leaking under the trailer. I initially thought that my fresh water tank had an issue because the leaking occurred at the same time I was cleaning it. The other 2 had been filled and emptied.
Distraught, I crawled under but couldn't find the source of the leak.
However, I did notice that the coroplast on the black appeared to be drooping. I removed the coroplast and found something very disturbing.... besides water; the black tank had dislodged completely from the front angle iron and dropped to just above the front
axle. It was just hanging there held in by the drain attachments. The toilet connection was the source of the leaking as it had partially dislodged. I don't know how long it had been this way or when it happened.
In any case, the one thing I would advise all
Bigfoot owners to do is to physically inspect their tanks. My
Bigfoot 25RQ is a 2008. But the kicker to all this is....... there were ZERO safety holding straps under the tanks! Zero! If a tank comes loose due to contraction, shrinkage, age, etc., it can drop to the ground! I don't know if the newer Bigfoots are built more securely, but I would definitely ask no matter what year you have.
I was lucky. Someone here may not be so lucky. Take the time to inspect and see if your coroplast underbelly has any drooping or bulging. This problem is not specific to Bigfoot as many of the manufacturers don't use any strapping or may use inexpensive nylon, etc. that can and will break over time. You can do some queries and determine for yourself the modifications that may be needed to further secure your holding tanks. It's a project you can do, just takes a little time. I've found that most are using plumbing strapping to secure. You can decide what's best for you.
On a side note, Garry Grochowich at Bigfoot was amazing help! Kudos to him for taking time out of his day several times to assist me.
Be safe and never assume!