Looking at a 94 U300 today with my wife that was located close to home...... Wife fell in love with the interior, as I. The wood well cared for, hardwood looked great, "Pink front seats"!!! I had not expected for this kind of interior quality.....We own a 2000 U320....and we both liked interior and layout better.
After looking at bulkheads...1/4" -1/2" separation due to rust jacking both front a back...... The "new' tires as described on the phone were only 14 years old fronts, and 15 year old in the rear...Whew..... ...... Quote #1..... these big heavy coaches will move quite a bit at the joints .... explaining the bulkhead gaps..... Quote #2...... Drove her to the beach twice this year, and not any problems with those tires....... Someone is looking after this fellow.
Wife was teary eyed as I explained to the seller it was more repair work then I was looking for. $25,000 and firm, I saw no hope for this one. The wife was searching searchtempest on our way home for similar coaches......gotta be a clean one somewhere out there......
david spillman
Must be the one in Clover ,SC
So what happens if both bulkheads completely fail?
Basement drops out.
OR ...... it resembles a pot bellied pig! :o
If you are talking about just the front and rear bulkheads completely failing, the basement floor will sag (depending on the load)but shouldn't fall out as it is supported from the other basement bulkheads.(the divider bulkheads) The basement doors that are adjacent to the front and rear bulkheads may not stay shut as the door latches may not engage. You will be able to see the space between the basement doors and the tire fenders is widened more toward the bottom than the top just walking up looking.
I have seen a '98 U-320 42' that had both the front and rear completely fail (had pics at one time) that was located in the North East. It was driven back to Nac. and had a complete basement floor installed. This coach is still on the road today.
Pamela & Mike
Complete bulkhead failure (as experienced by Foreforum members) is very rare-- most are smart enough to identify a problem before complete failure.
But, in front, the heavy diesel tank falls down/out and can hit the ground. In fact I recall one poster asking just that-- why did my diesel tank fall down and how do I fix it.
In the rear, cracks up the side of the coach and movement of the whole rear structure rearward-- rear wheels no longer "centered" in the wheel wells.
Any idea what this kind of repair a 40 footer would cost at a repair facility that has done this before? I have seen it done by DIY members here, but I don't have that kind of time to perform or direct.
david
David,
A recent "complete basement floor replacement" in Nacogdoches ran $30k.
Repairs to rear only $1,500 - $3,000 Full basement repair in NAC (2 that I am aware of) were both eventually covered by insurance Your mileage may vary. Complete replacement rare, even the ones done in NAC that I saw could have likely been patched for far less $$ Unless coach operated in highly corrosive environment complete replacement not likely needed Do you have issues:concerns with your bulkheads?
Just dreaming of what it would take to get the 94 I looked at "original post" back on the road if entire basement was unrepairable. I cleaned/treated/repaired my rear bulkhead..... my front is clean!!
David
Economically unfeasible if you're paying a NAC shop $100.00/hr. If you can do it yourself, a few hundred dollars and lots of time.