Hey everyone I'm getting a 250 gallon tank with stand the tank is 8' long I currently live in a single wide trailer does anyone know if the floor will support the weight I currently have a 150 gallon tank there and doesn't seem to have any problems
Floor support for 250 gallon tank
- Thread starter cocovalentin
- Start date
That's going to be a close one not sure I would tiny all the trailers would vary how there made so it's tuff to say yes or no best advice I could give would be fill it slow lol good luck let us know how it goes
You just need some friends to stand around your tank you'll need like 4 or so 200 pound people. If they fall through the floor with the tank then I definitely wouldn't advise putting a 250 there. Lol don't do that. But you kind of get an idea
To be conservative, I've read to plan on 10lbs/gallon (not sure if this is still the standard). So you'll have ~2500lbs. This is not to mention your tank stand and/or if you plan to include a sump or filtration under your stand. This could end up being up to ~3000lbs+.
I wouldn't want to guess if your floor could support that with the information we have, but just to put the weight into perspective as you're planning this out.
I wouldn't want to guess if your floor could support that with the information we have, but just to put the weight into perspective as you're planning this out.
Hello; I installed carpet and vinyl flooring for a small company, often in trailers. It was common for the flooring to be some sort of pressboard, OSB or such. The newer stuff being better than the older. We often had to replace the sub flooring before we could install new carpet or vinyl.
Trailers usually have a steel under frame type skeleton. I have no idea how to judge the load capacity of such a frame.
If you own the trailer then it's on your dime. If you rent then get some renters insurance and be sure it covers large tanks.
good luck
Trailers usually have a steel under frame type skeleton. I have no idea how to judge the load capacity of such a frame.
If you own the trailer then it's on your dime. If you rent then get some renters insurance and be sure it covers large tanks.
good luck
I can't speak to trailer construction or strength but when we put in the fish room at my old house we put jacks underneath the room to support the weight and never had a problem. It may be worth looking into reinforcing the area where the tank will be.
My friend lives in an older trailer. The subfloor was plywood and the framing is comprised of huge steel I-beams underneath. It's really easy to peel back the skirting and check it out underneath. I'd imagine it would be relatively easy to do some structural modifications under there. I think a lot depends on where you live. Up north here the trailers sit on footings that are 4 feet underground to get below the frost line. If you add a structutal support and it isn't properly anchored you may end up having it heave upwards during a freeze, causing catastrophic damage.
If it were my trailer, and i were single, i would peel back the carpet and subfloor and weld in some heavy guage square tube stock to bridge the gap between the Ibeams.
Of course if the tank happens to be sitting directly over a structural beam you may be able to get away with it assuming the subfloor is in good shape.
I'd consult a contractor. I've found that actual contractors have a better knowledge of structural elements in homes than some engineers or inspectors. I work around engineers almost every day, more times than not, the guy with the high school diploma on the floor has a better understanding of what does and doesn't work.
If it were my trailer, and i were single, i would peel back the carpet and subfloor and weld in some heavy guage square tube stock to bridge the gap between the Ibeams.
Of course if the tank happens to be sitting directly over a structural beam you may be able to get away with it assuming the subfloor is in good shape.
I'd consult a contractor. I've found that actual contractors have a better knowledge of structural elements in homes than some engineers or inspectors. I work around engineers almost every day, more times than not, the guy with the high school diploma on the floor has a better understanding of what does and doesn't work.