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Topic: Stiffeners in my Grand Villa (Read 2096 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Stiffeners in my Grand Villa

Reply #20 –
Quote from: Mr B3 –

I went down to Paynesville for the Fireworks and Bands, New Years Eve.


Brian,

Neat area.  We enjoyed our time there summer of 2019-- especially the ferry to Raymond Island and the Kola walk.  Nice to see humans and Kolas existing side by side.

Re: Stiffeners in my Grand Villa

Reply #21 –
I will try again with the piccys,
This is my drive way, Its 1 in 3 at the top.
Yes it does twist my Coach,

Re: Stiffeners in my Grand Villa

Reply #22 –
Its working again, So here's a few more.

Re: Stiffeners in my Grand Villa

Reply #23 –
And where we went, Lakes Entrance,  Bass Strait in the distance,  Very wild and violent ocean at times,
I will be coming thru that entrance in about a months time on my boat to sail thru the Gippsland lakes on my way to the Kimberlys,
About 6000 miles by sea,

Our round trip on the weekend was about 700 Kays,
Its Grouse to be driving my Coach again, Its Magic to drive and ran perfectly,

Re: Stiffeners in my Grand Villa

Reply #24 –
Brian,

I lived and worked for 10 years in Indonesia for Mobil Oil, and visited  friends of ours living on a 48 Ft Motor vessel and sailing like you around Australia, although they turned back from the Kimberley's to Darwin. As a matter of facts they sold their vessel to the owner of a marina in Darwin.

I still have his video of the huge tidal differences and man eating crocs.

I always liked the Australian East coast,  it is like England with good weather.

Happy New Year

Klaus

Re: Stiffeners in my Grand Villa

Reply #25 –
For those who don't know, the reason Brian had to do the stiffener route was because his coach front end kept distorting, enough that the windshields either broke or came out of the window openings--a lot.
The plywood forward of the lift-up portion of the dash is glued to the front fiberglass cap. This is what keeps the front cap from flexing, which causes the windshields to break or come away from the cap.
Deterioration of the adhesive or plywood causes separation.
Twisting of the frame then manifests itself when the glass goes "west".
If you have a GV you must guard against water running down the inside of the windshields and going under the dash to the adhesive.
Check your front rubber seals for leaks and remove condensation from the inside of the glass, with a squeegee and towels up against the glass. Water will rot the plywood over time.

Re: Stiffeners in my Grand Villa

Reply #26 –
It cant hurt to also make sure that the roof and body is well glued to the front and rear caps. In my case I removed the screws retaining the trim and  added structual glue and rivits to attach the  cap.

Re: Stiffeners in my Grand Villa

Reply #27 –
Mike,

Past my pay grade to know the structural "twist" dynamics between center structure and caps, but there MAY be some built-in flexibility that might be better being retained.

Either Foretravel, MOT or Xtreme might be able to shed light on this design issue. If anyone finds out anything, please post what you find.
 

Re: Stiffeners in my Grand Villa

Reply #28 –
My bus rides a lot quieter and the glass doesnt squeak.  Screws holding the caps are fine, until the holes get loose.  They come with some sort of caulk. 3M 5200 gets it done and I'm sure cost way more than FT wanted to spend .  Caps coming loose cant be good.
 I did my entire coach, all the way around the trim  junction.  Much better  now.
 It made it 30 yrs so they picked an acceptable method . IMHO .