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Topic: Bulkhead pictures (Read 940 times) previous topic - next topic

Bulkhead pictures

Here are 3 pictures. One is at the rear bulkhead about a foot  in length under the wet bay. About 3/4ths of a penny. The other two are the underbelly near the rear on both sides.
Any comments?
Thanks
Rick & MJ Berry
1998 U320 40'
Ohio

Re: Bulkhead pictures

Reply #1 –
That may need some attention real soon.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Bulkhead pictures

Reply #2 –
Rick this is  a design flaw. Should of had a actual barrier layer to prevent water intrusion either from the outside or inside. So allowing to drain at this point would be beneficial. Completely sealed is the goal. Water leaking from inside into structure is ponding and can do existence damage quietly unknown. At some point you will need to know the extent of your damage. Brett has a good read on the subject Bulkhead Repair-- A Comprehensive Look
To speculate your damage without hands on would be impossible. Even hands on may be short of actual damage once opened up. It didn't happen overnight and probably will end up being a bigger job than what you will desire. If it strictly a  delamination  issue it may not be as bad. Address the cause then the damage. Good luck
Scott

Re: Bulkhead pictures

Reply #3 –
Since I bought it I keep the wet bay area dry.
Who in my area could I take this to to look at it.
In the meantime I won't drive in the rain and can I seal that hole up with something.
I'm in northeast Ohio. I've never driven it snow and I don't think the previous owner did. It was always kept under cover.
Rick & MJ Berry
1998 U320 40'
Ohio

Re: Bulkhead pictures

Reply #4 –
Quote from: 18360 –

Who in my area could I take this to to look at it.


A good fabrication shop can do the repair, especially if you can help with the non-fabrication fiddly bits such as removing the bottom, floor bay wall covering and tanks.  Everything else is cut and weld readily available steel square tubing.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Bulkhead pictures

Reply #5 –
Rick,

Use the Forum search tool (top right corner of every page).  Type "bulkhead repair" in the search box, and you will get 17 pages of hits.  Read as many as possible to get a good idea what is involved in diagnosing and correcting bulkhead and bottom frame damage.  You will see that every case is different.  Some are very serious and require professional help.  Some are less serious and can be handled by the "average" owner with good mechanical skills.  Welding will usually be required to make a proper repair.  The repair process is almost always time consuming, so the cost of professional "shop time" can be a big factor.

You want to be fairly confident that the place you select to do the repair work is, in fact, qualified to complete the project...whatever it entails.  Once you start removing the bottom skin from the coach (a necessary first step in diagnosis) then you won't want to be making any long drives until it is buttoned up again.

Many Forum members have successfully dealt with this problem.  By reading their reports, you can benefit from their experience (good and bad).

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Bulkhead pictures

Reply #6 –
These are pics of my 98 U320 rear bulkhead.
There is minimal separation but the plastic covering is warping, which indicates some rusting and water retention below.
Although I do not consider it super critical it is on my list of repairs shortly
Peter
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Bulkhead pictures

Reply #7 –
Quote from: dicksop –

..... it is on my list of repairs shortly.

Peter

GOOD.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Bulkhead pictures

Reply #8 –
Quote from: dicksop –
These are pics of my 98 U320 rear bulkhead.
There is minimal separation but the plastic covering is warping, which indicates some rusting and water retention below.
Although I do not consider it super critical it is on my list of repairs shortly
Peter

That's really ugly! Be sure to get it checked very soon--and be prepared for a substantial repair bill!
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Bulkhead pictures

Reply #9 –
Make sure you check your front bulkhead.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
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Re: Bulkhead pictures

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Lon and Cheryl –
Make sure you check your front bulkhead.

Agree. But, given how the damage is concentrated on the driver's side/wet bay side, suspect this was an issue of water from the wet bay leaking down into the basement structure.

Were this road water/salt, you would likely see worse damage on the passenger's side (more salt and more water on side of road than center.

Said another way VERY PREVENTABLE-- just needed previous owner to use better "house keeping practices"!
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020