The surge tank on many Beaver coaches in the late 90's to the 2002 or 2003 age range is a Ford tank that cracks often. The Ford part number is F6HZ-8A080-B and it measures app. 3 1/2" deep, 6" wide, and 27" long. At the Indio rally there were 3 coaches with cracked tanks. My 2000 Marquis uses this tank, and I have had to replace it twice with the last one lasting only 2 years.

Since my coach had a 13 pound pressure cap on the tank, and the coach never reaches a temperature that would boil coolant in a 7 pound system, I changed my pressure cap to a 7 pound cap to reduce the likelihood of another tank failure.

Gerald

We had to replace ours as well in our 2001 Patriot.  We found one at Northwest Supply in Oregon.  I don't know if they have any left, but good to know the Ford part number, we may buy one and keep on board as a back-up as it sounds like this may happen again.
Thanks,
Roger

If you have a 13-15 pound pressure cap now, and replace it with a 7 pound pressure cap, I think your tank failure rate will be minimal.

Gerald

I replaced my tank 18 months ago.  I was told by a small Ford car dealer that the Ford depot in Phoenix had 32 on the shelf at that time.  The Ford truck dealer in El Paso had 3 until I bought one of them.  It sounds like they turn these over pretty fast.  

I don't know that it would be a part that I would carry with.  I think you can get them overnight from most Ford dealers and probably off the shelf at a Ford (now Sterling) Truck dealer.  When mine failed it seeped.  I am sure that the pressure was not where it should have been with the leak but the coolant loss was minimal and I drove hundreds of miles with it like that.

Just know that you can get them from Ford and do not go through Monaco for double the price and a possible three week wait.  

I was asked by a local Ford dealer the amount of $214.00 for this surge tank. Is that the going price?? Seems excessively HIGH for this item. THANKS!!!

George,
Since I see that your coach has a Cummins engine instead of a Cat, I would measure the tank to be sure that it is the same.

Two and a half years ago I paid $100 in Texas for the tank. Six months ago I paid $146 for the same tank in California, so I would say that your dealer is probably high on his prices.

You may check online for the part number and see if Ford has increased the price that much. I just ran a search and found them online from $120 to $130.

Gerald

Thanks, Gerald!! I'll check for those online.

George,

We have a ISL Cummins 370HP and I just purchased the surge tank from Beaver Coach Sales for $199 + shipping.  Our tank is of a more rectangular shape (about 15" H X 12" W X 10" D) and it turns out that BCSales says that Monaco will not release the manufacturer of the tank to sell directly so therefore the high price.  I have not installed the tank  yet (we are currently in CT and I want to wait to get home to change it out) however the new tank although the same dimensions as the old one is of a much heavier construction although it is still plastic.  Good luck.

Paul

Paul,    My tank is the same size as yours, as Gerald suggested. Mine has not yet cracked or leaked, but I was going to get a spare juest in case. Thanks for your info!!  GH Wall