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Topic: Front Bulkhead Rusted Panel (Read 585 times) previous topic - next topic

Front Bulkhead Rusted Panel

We had a hydraulic fluid leak in one of our fan motors so we paid a visit to a shop in Nacogdoches.
Immediately, they saw that our fuel lines were in dire need of replacement.

While removing the fuel tank, they discovered major rusting to the front bulkhead panel just forward of the fuel tank.  :o

See the pictures below and discuss  :)
2000 U320 4010 WTFE #5609
2017 Ford Explorer toad
Current RVSA Certified RV Technician
Previous 2001 Forest River Windsong 340

Re: Front Bulkhead Rusted Panel

Reply #1 –
Shoot a picture from underneath to show the bulkhead area (angle beam to white fiberglass belly).

How is rust on the rest of the coach-- engine room, generator area, drop down door in wet bay, etc?
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: Front Bulkhead Rusted Panel

Reply #2 –
Here are some pics I tool along the entire length of the front bulkhead.

There is a some rust in the large joeybed bay but normal (for a coach this age) amounts elsewhere.

Guy
2000 U320 4010 WTFE #5609
2017 Ford Explorer toad
Current RVSA Certified RV Technician
Previous 2001 Forest River Windsong 340

Re: Front Bulkhead Rusted Panel

Reply #3 –
It looks like now we will have to look at the fronts too.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon
 

Re: Front Bulkhead Rusted Panel

Reply #4 –
Quote from: John S –
It looks like now we will have to look at the fronts too.


Has always been true.  But, from inspections I have done over the last decade, for every bad front bulkhead (not talking about a couple of broken Rolocks that need thru-bolting but ones needing significant work) there will be 25 rears that are bad.

WATER, or worse salt water from sea shore or salt on icy roads coming up from below AND water from the wet bay are the primary causes of most bulkhead issues.  The wet bay (immediately in front of the rear bulkhead) is a prime cause of rear bulkhead damage.

The third picture in Reply #2 (with the 90 degree bend in the generator exhaust) shows the power of RUST JACKING. Quite likely over 1/2 those grade 8 Rolock bolts in that bulkhead will be broken.
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