[a/s] fresh water tank woes

[Raymond B Baggs <Raymond_Baggs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Help!  Our 16-month-old 30' Airstream Classic dropped its fresh water tank. We
have only used the unit for a total of 9 weeks, and usually carry only 10
gallons of fresh water for use while in transit.  While driving through
Indianapolis this past weekend, we had the very unpleasant experience of having
cars come up beside us, and the passengers waving their hands and shouting
"you're dragging something".  By the time we could safely get off the interstate
the damage was done.  One entire side (curbside) of the metal shield, the tank,
and all associated plumbing had dropped completely to the pavement.  The handy
little drain valves for the water system, and the white plastic drain valve for
the tank itself, had been ground off, plus a fair part of the metal shield and a
corner of the plastic tank.  I thought these tanks were supposed to be attached
with straps or something solid- there was nothing there that I could see; just
the tank dangling by the now broken plumbing connections.


Then the fun began. By having some wood blocks for tire changing and leveling,
we were able to drive one side up onto the blocks enough to crawl under and wire
the tank and metal shield up enough to continue on our way.  We then thought
that since we had purchased an emergency road service policy from Thor that we
would use it to find what was covered.  Well, it took three hours of cell-phone
messages, some very unpleasant operators, and the end result that since we had
managed to get ourselves back on the road, they didn't feel that they should
even help find a place to effect a more permanent repair.  We were within 200
miles of Jackson Center, but Airstream factory repair only works Monday-Friday,
and had taken July 3 off.

So now comes the help part.  Has anyone else with a recent Airstream had this
problem?   This unit has not seen that much service.    The guarantee is for one
year from date of purchase- so no joy from the dealer from which we purchased
the unit.   Any ideas?

Thanks

Ray in Rochester