Re: Old Town Motorhomes ?Phone Problems? Reply #25 – September 03, 2017, 11:00:11 pm Quote from: Barry & Cindy – September 03, 2017, 09:45:37 pmOur best choice for this type of repair is a shop equipped for frame repairs, and only place in Nac is really equipped for this work.Which shop in NAC is equipped for this? Thanks, Trent Quote Selected
Re: Old Town Motorhomes ?Phone Problems? Reply #26 – September 03, 2017, 11:25:21 pm The below quote says it well and truly. Each situation is different, but a consensus seems to have been building that to fix the issue for the long run, inspecting the condition of the metal frame in the affected area is necessary. This means opening up the area by cutting away some of the bottom skin, or if you are extremely lucky, peeling from the bulkhead joint forward until you no longer see signs of degraded metal (often 18" to 24", sometimes much more). I happen to agree with this philosophy, having come to it through painful experience. I feel like I am expert in certain aspects of the care and feeding of our coach, but I won't say that I am "qualified to tell everyone how to work on theirs." However, I have been contacted numerous time by folks who were facing the bulkhead 'monster under the bed' and in each case I just try to answer questions the best I can "based on my experience", but I always say that it depends on the individuals life experience and how well they know what is within their capabilities to assess, plan. and execute the needed repairs. I have only fixed one bulkhead joint in my entire life, and with any luck, that will remain my grand total!DonQuote from: Barry & Cindy – September 03, 2017, 09:45:37 pm...Bulkhead is a serious repair often with each coach needing different solutions. Quote Selected 6 Likes
Re: Old Town Motorhomes ?Phone Problems? Reply #27 – September 04, 2017, 12:17:41 am Ditto what Don and Barry said.....and me too...it depends what is needed. Once you know that, then see who has the experience and tools, etc. to do that type of repair. Until recently, when people spoke of "I need my bulkhead repaired" it seemed when I, an inexperienced owner, heard this, it did not mean tubing frame repairs but rather was simply working directly on the bulkhead joint, i.e. meaning new bolts or such.Knowledgeable people on the forum and others said there were two ways to do that type of repair, in Nacogdoches FOT and Xtreme. They, I was told, used different good ways to pull the joint back together and fasten it. Then entered what seems very recently what seemed a new discovery ---such damage that tubing repair is needed. If there is a frame shop in Nac, that knows FTs and how to do this, that could be an option. Maybe that is FOT? At least one other shop besides FOT, if FOT does framing repairs, has developed a process option and maybe others have too. I as Don, and I know another, have simply tried to answer inquiries. My answers are/were based only on my having spent several coach bucks and monitoring our project and about five other jobs! That is not presented as expertise. Quote Selected
Re: Old Town Motorhomes ?Phone Problems? Reply #28 – September 04, 2017, 09:00:55 am Unless the repair Wayne does has changed since his days at Foretravel (I do not know either way), he used huck bolts (think very large/strong rivet) to replace broken Rolocks. That is much easier to do, as you do not have to access the back of the box beam (drill through FG floor). BUT (bit BUT) that concentrates the force on a very small area in the center of what is likely already a structurally compromised box beam. Particularly true when compared with the use of the "full height" steel washer that spread the load to both top and bottom profiles of the box beam. Quote Selected
Re: Old Town Motorhomes ?Phone Problems? Reply #29 – September 04, 2017, 09:45:13 am Am sure you right Brett....I asked a tech at lunch few days back how or what difference was in Xtreme and FOT bolt replacement. Rolok was mentioned, as you explain, but there was something else too i heard few years ago beyond the bolts....wish i could remember that technical part about how they aligned or pulled the metal parts into place. This bulkhead topic became a big surprise to us. Been sensitive to it before we found our significant problem, in fact it even was inspected six months before by another shop as said ok....so I keep up with this latest way to identify and tube repairs.Living here in Nac I enjoy having technical discussions with a variety of pros. Great resources . Too, problems beyond FTs. Unbelievable problem as rear axle fell on SOB, and how to manage that.In trying to keep up, one question was windshields. One shop had stopped replacing them some time back. I wondered if that still the case. It was. So I could respond accurately to an inquiry.Also a shop here is doing residential refrigerators and has begun that a couple of years ago, did an Amish type...I was asking latest status of that refrigerator. Friend curious.Similar, what are you tech guys seeing as pro and con of different AC replacements....i figure that coming along one day for me. Friend went with Atwood, tech opinions?Always learning....that learning curve Don Hay warned me of is not so steep now as when we began but still upward. Now am learning about the mini gen for his speedometer.But when you and Richard last month began reviewing DD and Cats of older models it is like a new language, french maybe. Pretty but only understanding some words....need to hear more lessons to grasp more basics! Quote Selected
Re: Old Town Motorhomes ?Phone Problems? Reply #30 – September 04, 2017, 09:57:39 am I thoroughly enjoy reading the Forum. While I have met only a very few of you I have come to think of you as knowledgeable and concerned people who have experienced many, and, across the full spectrum, probably all of the problems that come up with Foretravel Motor Coaches. I know pretty much which way a certain contributor is going to jump on a certain problem or question based on this lurking over the years. When the DW and I arrive at a park that requires us to back in I har her direct me rather than trust someone else. Basic reason is that she has a vested interest in getting us in safely. The same goes for the Forum, kind of. Unless "X" or "Y" or "Z" are willing cover any ill-effects caused by my taking their advice it is just that: a suggestion. Usually i am directed to the solution and that's fine but with no vested interest...Love all you guys and will always continue to lurk and contribute but always take the advice with a grain of salt. Quote Selected 6 Likes
Re: Old Town Motorhomes ?Phone Problems? Reply #31 – September 04, 2017, 10:20:44 am I scratch my head when I see all the talk on this "Bulkhead" issue and the various ways it has been repaired ( or supposed to have been).Having met Don a few times and spent time with them I have first hand knowledge of his work and repair methods. One thing I can attest to is he is a "perfectionist in the first degree" and way more so than what is required to repair /replace the problem he is working on. That is Don, and to his credit he does not waver from this work ethic once ounce! So, having said that I would listen and learn from him because he does know about what he talks!We could not afford his labour bill for a fix on our Coach's, but for sure it will never come apart again, that I know.Having said all this I will return to the problem of the rusted frame and it's miriad of repairs.For me there is only one way once you notice broken Rolocks and /or seperation at the Angle iron. Pull or cut that Filon skin and see how far the rust etc has travelled. Cut out all the effected metal and replace. Before joining new open ended tubing to original I would coat the new parts with protection before welding back to the old and definitly use an extra backing bar welded to the first tube that is bolted thru. 100% coverage of the rear of this tube so that bolts have a good base to hold and strength is transferred along the whole tube once bolted up. This repair is not complicated, just awkward and does need some skills for sure. As mentioned before any welding frame shop can do it but many would bawk at it because it is a Motor home and they may worry about many other issues arising and not want any possible headaches. Replacing the Filon and sealing up the job is important, and the materials used to do it should not be the regular items like silicon etc.Don's article on his fix is to me a "must read" if you find yourself looking at having to do this repair so that you have the necessary information needed to be able to ask who ever is going to do yours about what they will do to fix it--not patch it up.JohnH Quote Selected 3 Likes
Re: Old Town Motorhomes ?Phone Problems? Reply #32 – September 04, 2017, 11:54:23 am Like Larry, I read or "lurk" on the Form a lot. Have bookmarked many posts and have come to know many members forte. We all came from professions other than working on our coaches. We have A/C professionals, electrical, computer gurus and the list goes on. I personally have benefited from posts on air bags, fuel lines, Aqua Hot and many other issues. Don's post on led tail lights I also copied. My opinion is to benefit from the members who have experienced the problem you are having. Quote Selected 4 Likes
Re: Old Town Motorhomes ?Phone Problems? Reply #33 – September 05, 2017, 02:48:10 pm Adam is not at Infinity. Issac Anderson is. Quote Selected 2 Likes
Re: Old Town Motorhomes ?Phone Problems? Reply #34 – September 05, 2017, 09:46:09 pm Thanks Juanita I removed other post. Thinking Issac who I have used multiple times and typed Adam. Quote Selected 1 Likes
Topic: Old Town Motorhomes ?Phone Problems?