I have some serious issues under my Battery Box. I noticed the under panel dropped. Anyway I opened it up today,cut out all the old rusted battery support, The side rail is still in good shape the first chassis crossmember between wet bay and big bay has cancer. I think it;s savable with rust prep and xtra support. The Middle box tube going front to back also has cancer but I'll inspect more tomorrow I think it's savable. UGH I don't want to get into a complete undercarriage rebuild, But? More Exploring tomorrow,Drinking Now!!! ^.^d It's always better with Beer!!
Do you think there might have been a battery leak sometime in the coach's life? Pictures?
Stump,
Drink a few more beers and take some pics. Probably some welding involved. Everything on our coaches is fixable and I'm sure one of the experts on the forum will give you the right advice on how to proceed!
Jerry
The old style ferro resonant battery chargers had a bad tendency to boil batteries. I changed the charger out on my 90' model to a newer 3 stage switching mode charger---- stopped the problem, but like what you have, some welding was involved. Foretravel chassis shop did mine for a very reasonable price. I got rid of the 8 D house batteries and went with two sets of golf cart batteries instead.
Stump, my 88 had some of the same rust.. you AR much more talented that I was when I could see good.
Couple pieces bolted and welded.. probably all she needs.. mine was an Oshkosh
Do the rolock bolts that go across the bottom panels hold anything above them or are they just to hold the underpanels up? I am having to remove them trying to locate some good metal,so far nada. I just don't want to take too many loose and have a upstairs issue?
Yes, the Roloks that are lined up side to side hold the basement metal box beams to the box beams of the vertical "basement section dividers.
Don has done a great job of documenting the structure:
Chassis construction photos from Don and welding on your FT (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=14530.25).
Don starts buttoning her up (split from What did you do to your coach) (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=17450.0)