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Topic: A lot of rust behind the scene (Read 1045 times) previous topic - next topic

A lot of rust behind the scene

Hello All,
Yesterday I was wondering what could get wrong with regards to buy a new to me FT and suddenly I thought that one issue could be RUST, especially if looking at 6 year old coach or even older. As I am looking at 2000-2001-2002 models, well this could be a big issue.

Looking at the pictures on the internet, it often happens to see aged FTs for sale apparently in excellent conditions, very well cared for but what can be done to verify if this nice show hides some big not seeable problem.

I would like to ask if anyone found himself in such occurred situation once having bought a coach or if something can be done as to verify if the one you are interested in has covered with rust, or if 2000-2002 FTs ever had this problem in certain specific part of their chassis.

Does anyone have something to say or had any (bad) experience?

Steve

Re: A lot of rust behind the scene

Reply #1 –
Steve,

Rust is very easy to identify, particularly in the critical bulkhead areas.  Probably easier than on most other brands. Yes, it involves crawling under the coach to look-- part of a competent mechanical inspection.

If you know what you are looking at, there are really no "hidden" rust areas-- one of the great things about the single piece fiberglass "bottom" from front bulkhead to rear bulkhead.

Brett Wolfe
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: A lot of rust behind the scene

Reply #2 –
Steve. Yes! I bought a 1995 U 240, used a number of years ago when I was less educated, more naive because I wanted a wide body coach. It looked great, ran well and overtly appeared in good condition. It passed a "competent" PDI. Soon afterwards I began to have system failures, one after the other. To make a long story short, it had been driven on salted highways or in the surf and plumbing and wiring were rusting out nearly everywhere vulnerable. I did get a very favorable trade in on a 99 U320.
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,