I am new to the forum and a new owner. Purchased my 1999 u320 from an estate. It has been stored in an aircraft hangar for about 10 years. After getting new batteries it started up and was able to take to my location outside. A strong wind came through a couple days ago and took both AC Penguin covers. New ones were delivered today. We had golf ball size hail today and it broke through both outer and inner skylight over bathroom. I have searched the forum for what to replace it with and the one recommended from Lowes is no longer available. Has Anybody recently changed theirs out and if so what and where did you get it? I have been studying the manual and trying to learn all the systems. Also have read about the dreaded bulkhead repair. I am not quite sure what it looked like from factory or if this is a repair but mine has a 3" angle iron bolted from side to side just ahead of the rear wheels. Another thing I do not have is the manual slide out crank/winch for retracting slide in case of emergency. Where can I obtain one? Thanking all who respond in advance and looking forward to more enrichment.
Ndnflyr (Indianflyer)
Have you called Foretravel Parts yet? Young man's name is Brad and he's has been good to return my calls over the years. First talk to Beverly and sign up for the Mortorcade club and receive a 10% discount . Do a search here for Bulk Head issues and Repair and you will find extensive information. Also enter your coach model and basic info in your signature. Welcome.
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new RV.
Here is some info on skylight replacement from a 97.
It is from Beamalarm, a former Foretravel owner , Barry & Cindy Beam, who dedicated a lot of time and effort to put this info online
Hope it helps.
Replacing Shower Skylight (https://web.archive.org/web/20200111053852/http://beamalarm.com/Documents/replacing_shower_skylight.html)
Here is the homepage to Beamalarm.
https://web.archive.org/web/20191218121353/http://beamalarm.com/
When I bought the replacement for our 93 it came form Lowes.
Wasn't in stock, they had to order it.
Welcome to the forum.
Welcome to the Forum. Since you mentioned the Lowes skylight, I assume you saw my long thread on skylight replacement, but if not:
Shower Skylight Rebuild (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=34769)
Towards the end of that thread, I mentioned seeing some skylights at Home Depot that looked like they would work on our coach. It seems they are still available. To save a lot of work and hassle, I recommend that you reuse the original factory metal frame base. In that case, you need to be sure whatever replacement dome you buy will fit into your existing frame. Remove the "hold-down" portion of your OEM skylight frame to expose the flange on the original plastic bubble. Measure the outside dimensions of the flange, and the width of the flange. THOSE are the critical sizes that you need to match. Link below to the Home Depot unit, if you are interested:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sunoptics-Prismatic-2-ft-x-2-ft-Fixed-Curb-Mounted-Pyramid-Skylight-SUN-R2020-PYL-TGZ-50CC2-800MD-BZ/203271017
Thanks to all who replied. Great information. I have joined the Motorcade Club and was in contact with tech department before starting the coach for first time in many years. I agree with finding a replacement bubble only, not having to disturb the Aluminum flange and frame work as described. I guess it is time to go shopping. BTW I also just finished putting a new flapper in the porcelain throne! Quite a piece of engineering.
I am not sure how to add a signature at the end. My coach is a 1999 U320 40' with slide build #5573. I would much rather a 36' but glad to have this for the moment.
So long for now.
Dan
Abandon ship on that Microphore next time something needs work, it's cheaper and easier to just replace it with a Dometic 320.
Easy.
1. Click on your forum "name" IE Ndnflyr. Takes you to your profile page.
2. Under the "Modify Profile" tab, click on "Forum Profile".
3. On the "Forum Profile" page you can add a avatar (or a photo), enter coach info in your signature, stick your location pin on the map, etc.
4. When you are done editing the page, scroll all the way to the bottom right corner and click "Change Profile".
That is some luck to take a coach out of storage and get the fury of wind, rain & hail.
Thanks Frank & Daisy, for finding our detailed writeup on replacing sky light. The skylight is still holding up fine.
To set the story straight, Barry & Darlene were the owners of BeamAlarm's wonderful Fortravel blog. We are Barry & Cindy, friends of Barry & Darlene, and used to post our many repair stories with photos on (the other) Barry's web page.
Dan can you tell us about the toilet flapper replacement? Specifically the source for the parts, cost and level of difficulty?
Welcome Dan, we are about 50 coaches ahead of you ours is build number 5523. this Forum is a treasury trove if information
Chris
Go to EZ tops worldwide and get a Lexan indestructable skylight,they will have your size,much better then Home depot or Lowes.
You can hit it with a hammer and will not break and they have install videos,make sure you measure the exact perimeter dimemtions of your old one and the height.
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your coach. At least buying it. I guess I was lucky enough to get my skylight from Lowe's or home Depot two years ago and I had to replace mine. You do a search on the forums. You'll find my thread on it. My recommendation would be as John 44 stated. The one that came from home Depot or Lowe's wasn't that great Anyway. Many of them when I went to pick it up. We're broken in the boxes. If I remember correctly. The actual work is pretty easy.
I don't have a slide so it can't recommend where to get parts for that. If foretravel doesn't have it, then maybe HWH? Not sure since I am slideless lol.
The slide out winch is basically a come along with a nylon strap instead of a cable. I would think a sturdy rachet strap with hooks on each end would do the job. Something like this:
2" X 12' YELLOW Ratchet Strap w/ Double J Hook (https://www.uscargocontrol.com/products/2-X-12-Yellow-Ratchet-Strap-w-Double-J-Hook)
Hopefully you'll never need it.
George....we recently purchased a couple of flapper gaskets and cam from https://mullaney-associates.com. The gaskets were $16 and the cam was $24.50. Nice people to talk with and will answer your questions.
Replacement process is pretty simple for the flapper gasket, have not had to replace cam yet.
I do agree with Elliott though, next time we have issues it's out with the crapper and in with a direct drop.
I starting reading this thread for Skylight information. Yesterday we had the good fortune of golf ball size hail that took out the bubble on the skylight. Everything else appears to be fine. The Icon A/C covers I just installed have some dimples, but really nothing major and the MaxAir covers we put on look like new. Thanks John....going to EZ Tops today to order a Lexan bubble.
RV Skylights, Square, Rectangular & Round. (http://www.eztopsworldwide.com/rvskylights.htm)
I think I'm going to cover my Koolmatic cover with Eternabond tape as a preventive measure. The hail that has been coming through the Black Hills this year has been weekly and it's only a matter of time before a big one takes that cover out. Any thoughts on covering it with Eternabond?
https://youtu.be/jcTPPchYsuI
This utube just popped up.
Look for the following
1. Removal method
2. Screws used
3. New sealant used.
4. Note what he shows about Silicone and other products. Mot used silicone on my roof. I didn't even think about future or what was on roof. As I cant get on roof.
He has many great videos. Helpful for us Foretravel owners as many of his work is done on coaches very similar to Foretravels. All might enjoy his videos on his new personal coach the Beaver!
I have a new unused replacement I got from Foretravel, still in the box, would be happy to sell it it,
If you are interested send me a PM
David