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Topic: Bulkhead question (Read 1945 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #25 –
The trip to Nac., - about 650 miles+/-, might be a good opportunity to visit Nac and see the sights.
 
I would guess that Tenn. RV can get the job done, but if it were mine and I were that distance from MOT, i would go there.  I believe that they have the most experience with this situation. 

The repair will probably take a week +/- to complete.  If you have other FT type concerns they can be addressed then.  I would guess that you could book an appt.  Figure one day at MOT, 3 to 4 days at the welding shop then one to two days back to MOT to put it back together.  Nac is a nice East Texas town and has a few good restaurants and other interesting things to do.

Good luck in your adventure and would be interested in seeing updates.

BTW - Welcome to the forum.  ^.^d
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #26 –
After looking at the pics, I'd agree with Scott.........."Go to 'CBC' (coach buck city)".  b^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #27 –
Absolutely crazy to drive more than just a few miles to your local welding shop. That's what they do for a living every day. It's not rocket science. Don did a better that factory new job on his coach right at home in his driveway.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #28 –
While Pearce's post is absolutely correct, it ASSUMES that either you or the welder has done the homework to know what to open up and how.  Which electronics to disconnect before welding, etc.

Said another way, I would not want my coach to be the guinea pig for even a good local welder who had not worked on a Foretravel bulkhead without my CLOSE SUPERVISION.
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 question

Reply #29 –
Most of the members of this forum joined because they wanted to know more about how their coach is designed, all of it's components, and how others have solved problems as they have cropped up. Naturally, I would expect someone requiring repair on their bulkhead to have done all the research on what might be encountered in doing the repair and to have all needed material from previous posts on our forum when selecting a welding shop to do the repairs.

Don went into the repair cold turkey. He encountered just about every problem possible in repairing his bulkhead. I can't imagine anyone on this forum who would be as you describe, a guinea pig and leaving their coach to be repaired without first bringing themselves up to speed on procedures others have used in previous repairs. Secondly, a proper repair can only be done by working closely with a welding shop so they are knowledgeable in all facets of the repair process. This includes interviewing shops ahead of time to make sure they will be able to do a quality repair including arming yourself with photos and documentation from posts like Don's to insure that both you and the shop are on the same page.

There are a lot of bright people on this forum. I don't think I'm overreaching in assuming that everyone here requiring this kind of work would not do their homework before assigning the repair job to a shop. There are lots of shops that restore cars to better than new condition. You see these in car shows all the time. They are absolutely up to speed on the latest restoration techniques in primers, sealers, paint, welding, etc.

When I had my seats done in Mexico, I did the research on shops there, chose the best material, carefully explained exactly what I wanted and then inspected the work on a daily basis. As you have seen from photos in my previous posts, the end product was first class exceeding what had been done at the factory.

So, if you don't have both unlimited credit on your card and lots of time to drive a lengthy distance to a shop in another state (twice), and DO have the willingness to explore options close to home, a quality repair can be done while you monitor the process and expense.

Pierce


Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #30 –
Indeed there are two groups, not just here, but in general-- those who DO and those who PAY. Applies to doing yard work, washing vehicles, maintaining vehicles, maintaining homes-- most facets of life.

Having done a lot of mechanical inspections on coaches and interacted with a lot of buyers and owners, I can tell you for a fact that there are a large number in the second category. Just a fact.

As Pierce said, many here are in the first category-- the DOERS.
 
Not right or wrong, but what one can competently do/supervise IS different.
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 question

Reply #31 –
adding to Brett's thoughts, I would like that a Keith Risch was involved, especially on the supervision and the closing back up of the job. While these repairs are not insignificant, most are in the $2-$5K range, (some more and some less) at MOT, and with those repairs and well maintained these amazing coaches can be going strong at 50 years old.

and as for Don's work vs. the average local welder,  I take Don's work every time, so I am not sure that is a good proxy for "if Don can do it in his driveway, surely your local welder can do this job".

That being said, local welder is an option, especially if you are distant from a knowledgeable and experienced  shop, but if the distances are manageable, there isn't likely dollar savings significant enough to offset the added risk of taking this to someone who is doing this job for the first time.

Poorly done, the bulkhead repair could reduce the value of the coach, not increase it.

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start - home of SureStart soft starters TCER Direct - home of Generac Approved Aluminum and Copper TCER Composite cable generator-gas-prod - home of X-Riser Gas Risers for PE installation Call me at 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #32 –
sadly, I am a payer, finding it easier enjoy ownership in that "bucket" - I am a "doer" on my airplanes - I like the size of the components I am dealing with, at 66 I still find them easy to work on, have the tools, facility, prior experience and local knowledgeable resources to feel comfortable (and most importantly safe) with this approach.

Put me down as a "payer" on the U-320

Quoting Dave Metzger (RIP) "Do what makes you happy"

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start - home of SureStart soft starters TCER Direct - home of Generac Approved Aluminum and Copper TCER Composite cable generator-gas-prod - home of X-Riser Gas Risers for PE installation Call me at 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #33 –
"if Don can do it in his driveway, surely your local welder can do this job".

You have to have seen "Don's driveway and have watched Don work in his "driveway" (or any place for that matter )
It really was not "on the driveway". It was on an inclined soil next to driveway. 15 feet farther was a a a small canyon (estimate 500 feet to the bottom)

PS, Don is a pleasure to watch @ work, slow but well thought out before he starts 
1993 U300, 6v92
build 4366
USAF retired, Flight Engineer, C124, C130
 ATP, A & E.  & ex AI

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #34 –
I agree with Brett and would rather pay some one qualified on bulkhead repair then hoping the guy knows what he is doing. Myself it would be a choice between the factory and MOT. I being a payer have been burned on several occasions and the sick feeling in your gut does not disappear.
John
1998 U270 34'

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #35 –
I think you can end up with a poor job at a shop that is unfamiliar with our setup or does the work without your presence. In my case, both bulkheads were repaired by Extreme in Nacogdoches. The job on both was awful and had to be completely redone at Motorhomes of Texas.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #36 –
Lots of variables. 
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #37 –
Quote from: jor –
  had to be completely redone at Motorhomes of Texas.
That pretty much says it all.........John KNOWS these coaches!  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'
 

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #38 –
I can attest to Pierce's point that a quality local repair can be obtained with diligence and FT owner references. Mine was done locally with top-quality work and at a substantial savings.
1989 Foretravel U300 Grand Villa
Build #3410