Cross beams

[JandC]

Was under the Monte today placing a couple jack stands under the main I-beams toward the front. I noticed the two smaller cross I-beams that come across between the two main beams having some sag to them. Each one is probably sagging down an inch or so. More toward the curb side. Since the underbelly is enclosed I can't really tell what could be resting on these cross beams. Is there a history of these small beams bending or failing, do they support holding tanks or what?

[Wheelhouse]

You better car Keystone and let them know what you see. They may ask you to send pictures to visualize what you see. Last thing you need is a tweek in the frame and something fracturing somewhere else with the stress it may cause. Be specific on what you describe. Good luck.

[oldelmer1]

Are they really I beams, or L brackets?

I have L an bracket going across under the holding tanks on the outside, and when I over filled my black tank, I noticed this L bracket had bent down cause of the weight.

I think this L bracket was Keystones "fix" for no support under the holding tanks.

[pineranch]

I believe they have a dual function;
1. Quasi support for black & grey 1 tank.
2. Keeps bottom cover from sagging.
Mike

[nailbender]

If what you are looking at is 2" wide and 1" high channel iron, that is the supports for the black and gray tanks. Sagging down is normal, our is also like that.

[oldelmer1]

I just went out and looked at mine and yes, its as described above, 2" wide and 1" high channel iron.

I put my floor jack under it and bent it back up after I fixed my black tank.

[DQDick]

One of the reasons to go to the Fall National Rally or to drop by Keystone when they are doing tours is to see how the Monty's are built. Watching them build them helps you to visualize what you are seeing and also to let you know what's in there or under there when you are doing modifications. Watching what little is holding the tanks in explains why they sag when the tanks are full.

[1retired06]

I removed both front crossbeams in order to drop the belly so I could replace my dump cables. I found exactly what is described above.

[JandC]

Thanks for all the info. I feel much better and will probably start thinking of a way to reinforce both channels after I straighten them. I was crawling all over my suspension looking for cracks and failing I-beams! Previous owner may have bumped down some roads with fairly full tanks or something.

[DQDick]

That's quite possibly true. Few people think about the weight of water (and other things) that are in the tanks. An extra 1,000 pounds down there is a good thing when you're parked and high winds are coming, but not so good going down the road.