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Topic: shop to repair nose delamination? (Read 1863 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: shop to repair nose delamination?

Reply #25 –
Scott

The template your speaking of must be of the 3/4 dash plywood. As Brett mentioned, I wouldn't take that out and replace it unless it's rotten. It's structural to the firewall and front of the coach. I love our foretravel but the original connection of the dash to the font of the coach was destin to fail the way it was done. The dash vinyl was lapped over the plywood and the nose of the coach was glued to the vinyl and a small ribbon of plywood.    Bad idea.    It held up for years until it may have gotten damp (not waterproof glue) or been stressed. So much great design and craftsmanship in these coaches, but that was a screwup.

  What I've done is build a piece of plywood ( 3 piece ) to underlay the existing dash. Scraped all the insulating foam off from the front of the coach to the defroster ducts. They are fragile so I didn't mess with them. Glued with 5100 and screwed to the existing dash. That formed one part of the solution. The other part was to remove the grab handle plywood backing and replace them with a much larger piece of plywood reaching from the V of the nose all the way over to the wiper motor backing. I wanted the wiper motor backing to be separate from the repair.      Then the dash underlay and the larger grab handle backing was connected with 5 large corner braces re bent to about 30 degrees. ( I think that was the angle, did this last July ). May have over caulked the process but wanted plenty on there, and then undercoated everything with black undercoat. It does flex a trace, but it sure ain't loose anymore. I can tell the there's flex because couple small areas where the undercoat ( overtop of white 5100 ) has hairline cracks. And that's ok because it's fiberglass and wood. I don't think rock hard would be good. Used to be able to push down on the dash, not now.

  I'll add that our GV has the removable front, prolly made the job a lot easier.  Sorry if this is too wordy but take a good look at what the problem is. Especially if your going to pay someone to fix it and they are telling you it's temporary. I believe there is a permant fix.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: shop to repair nose delamination?

Reply #26 –
That comment you mention from FT does not sit well with me!!
So, if you have an older GV it was not made to drive much but sit at your home and look at??? Wow, if I owned one I would sure be upset at their statement as the reason most like these coach's is because of their longevity (or so we thought) of life.
Boggles the mind to say the least, and anyone  thinking of buying one may now have second thoughts, or at least a valid reason to offer low as the factory is stating they are not meant to be driven!!
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: shop to repair nose delamination?

Reply #27 –
John.
 I had to do a double take also but if you own one, you know different.

Can't help the people who are shopping for one other than to say, do your homework and the conclusion should be obvious.

 Just drove ours 250 m today from Tucson to Yuma. What a cruiser !!
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: shop to repair nose delamination?

Reply #28 –
Yeah, I know I'm always shocked to find that motor vehicles wear out when you drive them a lot. It's safer not to buy a motor vehicle.
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)
 

Re: shop to repair nose delamination?

Reply #29 –
Quote from: RRadio –
Yeah, I know I'm always shocked to find that motor vehicles wear out when you drive them a lot. It's safer not to buy a motor vehicle.

Hahahaha,  A continually well used one is better value for money than a vehicle that has sat around for years,

A little old granny drove it to church once a fortnight, Good buy, No it isnt, The first hard drive and it will disintegrate, oil seals will be shot for a start, Ive seen that happen,.
EX Taxi is a good buy, It will rattle, but it will last you,
Cheers, Brian,
1989 Foretravel Grand Villa, 36 foot ORED, 300 HP Catapillar and Four Speed Allison Auto,
Right Hand drive, two Mid doors, Makes a good flow thru ventilation in hot weather,
Located in Melbourne, Australia,  The Land Down Under,
Honda Blackbird, 1100XX.    2002 Gemini 105 MC Catamaran,