Another Bulkhead Repair Done

Topic: Another Bulkhead Repair Done (Read 1118 times) previous topic - next topic

Another Bulkhead Repair Done

August 30, 2017, 11:32:30 am

A few pictures of Matt, our Austrian friend's 1998 U270. He stayed a few days with us. We spent most of that time on our back's under his coach. He had minor separation of about 18"'s across and a few broke off bolts on the passenger side. He drilled out 10 new holes. Cut small holes for the nuts, and sucked her back together with 3/8" # 8 bolts and lock nuts.You could tell he had really good steel to bolt to, the way it drilled out.
He cleaned out the crack 1st, and removed what was left of the thin metal that holds the fiberglass up.Sealed the top and bottom with caulk. Before he sealed it up, he poured some mystery oil he brought with him from Europe from above. I think it was like shellac. I cleaned it all with soap and water, then with xylene and we sealed it up with foil tape. As hoakie as the tape sounds, it seals it really good. Mine has been done for 5 years, and it's still perfect.
Cheers

Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Done

Reply #1 – August 30, 2017, 12:20:18 pm

Looks good.

Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Done

Reply #2 – August 30, 2017, 01:47:09 pm

Maybe seal the top, but NOT the bottom because any water that gets into that joint cannot drain if the bottom is sealed. Water can get into that joint from your water tank. I did not seal either top or bottom on mine. I did not purchase one coach which was sealed on the bottom with rust jacking after only a couple years.

Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Done

Reply #3 – August 30, 2017, 02:06:26 pm

I see your point of view, but what he used is awesome stuff. It flowed through the whole thing over night, then hardened. It kills and stops rust.Then sealed it.We even painted the small gap with rust converter to boot.
Mine is sealed top and bottom, wouldn't have it any other way. Mine is as tight as it can get. Matt and I discussed this lengthy.He is a pretty smart cookie.
I don't let any water from the over flow run out. I shortened a panel in the wet bay, use a flash light on the other side below the water heater, and watch my water tank as I fill it. I stop 3"'s from full.The wet bay is also tight, even my lower access door has been re-worked to seal tight. The coach is also heavily sealed at the water tank bay all across, so there is no reason for water to get in.Maybe in a different coach environment, that could happen.
Thanks
Chris

Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Done

Reply #4 – August 30, 2017, 03:07:30 pm

Looks like you did a thorough job - by keeping it dry there will never be a problem again.
Well done.

Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Done

Reply #5 – August 30, 2017, 03:18:15 pm

Wyatt hit it right on the head!
When I designed machines and holding fixtures my philosophy was: If I can't keep the chips/coolant out, then make sure they could get out...and not build up and cause problems.

Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Done

Reply #6 – August 31, 2017, 03:09:36 pm

Quote from: nitehawk – August 30, 2017, 03:18:15 pm

Wyatt hit it right on the head!
When I designed machines and holding fixtures my philosophy was: If I can't keep the chips/coolant out, then make sure they could get out...and not build up and cause problems.

So what you are saying is, if my boat leaks, I should drill a hole in it to let the water out? Just razzing you

. I agree with you both also. I had a shop with a slab floor. The truth of the matter is,it was built too low for the area. Every heavy rain, the carpet got soaked. So we raised the whole floor with pressure treated 2 x 4' on edge, covered with plywood. new carpet, never had an issue again. No smells either.
But back to the FT. I would rather seal the bottom good. Why? There is so many places that water coming from below would get in and cause damage. Matts fiberglass was de-laming and falling down. Even with all the rust treatment in the world, left unsealed it would start rusting again in area's un-treated .If water still came in the top, and could get out the bottom, it would still cause rust and rust jacking, because it would be wet all the time.It also could cause freeze jacking.
I think on this topic, there is no wrong answer or opinion. All I know is mine is sealed tight as a drum. Those reading this post now have choices they can make.
Cheers Chris

Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Done

Reply #7 – August 31, 2017, 03:14:10 pm

You were right, Chris. Just like I said. If you can't keep it out, let it out. Your way keeps it out so you don't have to let it out. But keep in mind how insidious water and rust are. One never can tell when or where they will manifest themselves.

Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Done

Reply #8 – August 31, 2017, 03:33:24 pm

Quote from: nitehawk – August 31, 2017, 03:14:10 pm

You were right, Chris. Just like I said. If you can't keep it out, let it out. Your way keeps it out so you don't have to let it out. But keep in mind how insidious water and rust are. One never can tell when or where they will manifest themselves.

These 20 year old + coaches already have it going on under all that. All we can do is watch them closely, and maintain them.They will still last longer then the motors or we will
Thanks for your great input.
Cheers

Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 10, 2025 ...

Another Bulkhead Repair Done

August 30, 2017, 11:32:30 am

Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Done

Reply #1 – August 30, 2017, 12:20:18 pm

Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Done

Reply #2 – August 30, 2017, 01:47:09 pm

Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Done

Reply #3 – August 30, 2017, 02:06:26 pm

Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Done

Reply #4 – August 30, 2017, 03:07:30 pm

Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Done

Reply #5 – August 30, 2017, 03:18:15 pm

Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Done

Reply #6 – August 31, 2017, 03:09:36 pm

Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Done

Reply #7 – August 31, 2017, 03:14:10 pm

Re: Another Bulkhead Repair Done

Reply #8 – August 31, 2017, 03:33:24 pm

Affiliate Notice