Hi everyone! This is my first post and I am not sure I am in the right place, but I am looking at getting a 40 foot c320 that has been flooded and sat for a year. This is my first motorhome as well. My question is have any of you taken on a project like this before and how extensive it was? No water made it into the coach only in the basement. I know the generator is shot and has some surface rust on the slide trays, not sure how it has affected the aqua hot system, wiring, and so on. Any info. would greatly be appreciated. ty
Sounds like a insurance total to me, Don't touch it, rear end will be shot as well as all brakes and bearings.
I believe you mean U320, not C320.
+1 on what Fredi said.
A lot of complex, costly systems are located in the bays. You might also look at Don's (Acousicart) story of structural rebuild after discovering a bulkhead issue.
Salt water or fresh water?
Run away fast, all kind of structural and mechanical issues to be addressed.
I suppose you mean the one that was on eBay. NOT suitable for a first motorhome unless you are very, very skilled and experienced at doing your own work -- sometimes with very expensive components. It has a salvage title for a reason. Expect even an un-distressed motor home to have all the problems of a high tech cottage PLUS all the problems of the sophisticated truck beneath it.
Don't consider it at any price.
thank you all for your input. as far as I know it was fresh water but it sat for a year. It has no visible structure damage and I am skilled in most of the areas to rebuild it myself. It is an insurance total. I was just trying to find a DIY project when i ran across this. I figured my wife and I could use it and if we like traveling in it than we could sell it and buy what we really want. How would the salvage title affect me selling it even if I go through it with a fine tooth comb and drive it for about a year first. Thanks again for your input.
I will repeat don't buy at any price. It is extremely likely that the basement grid system has been saturated for a year. Those 1/8" thick walls on the box beams will likely be highly compromised. You won't know it until it fails, as the beams are covered top and bottom with FG.
Yes, look at Don's experience with a coach that was not submerged! And the basement structure we are talking about is the lowest part of the coach (basement floor)!
Buy (or save for) what you really want now, not a headache of a money pit that might not be salvageable except for parts.
Bulkhead Separation - Planning for the Worst (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=23330.msg181095#msg181095)
2000 U320 rear bulkhead thoughts (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=18850.msg130855#msg130855)
yet another stupid bulkhead question (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=18406.msg126229#msg126229)
Progress Report and Question about FW Overflow/vent (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=18193.msg123875#msg123875)
Don starts buttoning her up (split from What did you do to your coach) (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=17450.msg116510#msg116510)
Before, During, After (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=16653.msg107642#msg107642)
Chassis construction photos from Don and welding on your FT (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=14530.msg92576#msg92576)
Another Bulkhead Separation Story Part II (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=14266.msg82261#msg82261)
Yet another Bulkhead Separation Story, Chapter 1 (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=13602.msg75864#msg75864)
These are just the "highlights" of what Don and Tys went through, and that is "just" the structural that the flooded coach on eBay (and many classified sites) may be facing, nevermind the electrical and mechanical issues that likely resulted from the flood damage.
Listen to Brett.
I could use some spare parts. If you want to buy and part it out ^.^d
Thank You for your great advise! I think that I will find another DIY project to work on.
Wise move
very informative compilation, Michelle :thumbsup:
Thanks - it's all Don, all I did was search for his posts on the subject....
Seems like another lifetime as I look at those threads and those pictures... like it happened to someone else. All I can say, is I am sure glad that I am here now, and not there then ::)
If it feels like that to me, just imagine how Tys feels! :dance:
Don
I remember reading Don's posts and looking at the photos and wondering how he found the time to take pictures and post descriptions. If anyone understands what it takes to rebuild the basement storage bins it's Don. But anyone who reads his posts should know enough to stay away from it.
On the plus side, when it's done you'll be a damn good welder! :P
Craig
Not only you be a good welder, you'll be a better person having learned humility, perseverence, and the value of blood sacrifice.