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Topic: On a U320, What Holds the Rear Axle to the Coach? (Read 688 times) previous topic - next topic

On a U320, What Holds the Rear Axle to the Coach?

Dreaming Again (as I tend to do), I saw a '97 U320 that looked like a diamond in the rough.

97 Parts Export Foretravel U320 450HP Cummins Florida Qualty Diesel Pusher |

It had a hard year. It was REPO'ed and then it was in an accident on the way back from the auction. The title will always be marred, but I would love to get it back to the road on the cheap. Not to profit from, just to use and enjoy.

Aside from the Doors getting ripped off, the Rear tire appears to have taken the hit. It would require a new wheel and a tire. The inner tire would need to be replaced since it is probably damaged from supporting the weight meant for two.

I'm sure that some of the damage around and inside the compartments could be bent back into place. I recently saw a U320 somewhere that is being parted out. The side panels could be sourced from that.

My main concern is that the airbags seem to be off-set slightly due to the accident. I suspect that the rear axle is attached to its own free-floating truck assembly (like on a train car). I also suspect that the truck is attached to the monocoque frame near the four rear air bags.

I can't imagine that the airbag is all that holds the Truck to the Frame. It could be a giant U-bolt, Pin or some piece of hardware that would bend easily if the rear axle was hit.

My question: Is it a cheap repair that a person with basic mechanical skills could handle?
Bob and Pam Brumbaugh
Ernie (English Bulldog)
2000 U320 WTFE 40' Build # 5740 (former)
Xtreme "Lights and Paintjob"
Motorcade# 18659
Souderton, PA
Towd: 2021 Ford Ranger
Quickee Mini Golf Cart (former)

We Are....Penn State!

Re: On a U320, What Holds the Rear Axle to the Coach?

Reply #1 –
While the weight of the coach is supported by the airbags, the axle itself is located front to back by upper and lower trailing arms. The lower arms are attached to shackles which are secured at the bulkhead joint to a heavy duty angle iron which in turn is bolted to the basement subassembly. Since the axle has been moved off-center towards the rear on this coach, I would bet that the bulkhead joint has been separated which is prone to happen anyway if there has been corrosion or rust present there. As far as the difficulty of the repair goes, it would depend upon your skills and how determined you are and how much time you're willing to devote to it. If you're prepared to remove all of the wet tanks, the fuel tank, the propane tank, and anything else that is attached to the basement floor, you could then drop entire basement down and rebuild that frame. It would not be easy however, since doing it off of the coach would require some jigs to align the frame and get it all on the same plane and symmetrical. Of course, that is all just my opinion, others may differ...
Don
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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: On a U320, What Holds the Rear Axle to the Coach?

Reply #2 –
Thanks Don!

Trailing Arms... that makes perfect sense ^.^d

I got a vivid picture in my mind based on your description. Reattaching the bulkhead joint would be quite an undertaking :o I'm guessing that the Factory techs are the only ones who could repair and re-align this one.

This fix is way out of my league :-(
Bob and Pam Brumbaugh
Ernie (English Bulldog)
2000 U320 WTFE 40' Build # 5740 (former)
Xtreme "Lights and Paintjob"
Motorcade# 18659
Souderton, PA
Towd: 2021 Ford Ranger
Quickee Mini Golf Cart (former)

We Are....Penn State!

Re: On a U320, What Holds the Rear Axle to the Coach?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Bob_B –
Thanks Don!

Trailing Arms... that makes perfect sense ^.^d

I got a vivid picture in my mind based on your description. Reattaching the bulkhead joint would be quite an undertaking :o I'm guessing that the Factory techs are the only ones who could repair and re-align this one.

This fix is way out of my league :-(

You are wise to be very cautious with this one. Frequently there is damage that goes far beyond what is obvious. Unless the price on this one is extremely good, and unless you have lots (and lots) of time on your hands, and unless you have lots (and lots) more money than you initially estimate, then it would be a really good idea to very quickly walk away!
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: On a U320, What Holds the Rear Axle to the Coach?

Reply #4 –
Nope.  Way too much damage and that's just what's showing.  I repaired mine from blowout damage, very labor intensive.  Used replacement parts are very hard to find, new parts are pricey. 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: On a U320, What Holds the Rear Axle to the Coach?

Reply #5 –
Bob, where is that 320 that's being parted out? I'm looking for a 50 amp manual hose reel. Thanks.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: On a U320, What Holds the Rear Axle to the Coach?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: jor –
Bob, where is that 320 that's being parted out? I'm looking for a 50 amp manual hose reel. Thanks.
jor

Its one piece so far
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: On a U320, What Holds the Rear Axle to the Coach?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: jor –
Bob, where is that 320 that's being parted out? I'm looking for a 50 amp manual hose reel. Thanks.
jor

http://en.visonerv.com/cgi-bin/md/M11936/s1.pl
Bob and Pam Brumbaugh
Ernie (English Bulldog)
2000 U320 WTFE 40' Build # 5740 (former)
Xtreme "Lights and Paintjob"
Motorcade# 18659
Souderton, PA
Towd: 2021 Ford Ranger
Quickee Mini Golf Cart (former)

We Are....Penn State!

Re: On a U320, What Holds the Rear Axle to the Coach?

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Bob_B –
Thanks Don!

Trailing Arms... that makes perfect sense ^.^d

I got a vivid picture in my mind based on your description. Reattaching the bulkhead joint would be quite an undertaking :o I'm guessing that the Factory techs are the only ones who could repair and re-align this one.

This fix is way out of my league :-(

For 10 to 15 Grand, You can buy a good going Grand Villa with every thing working, and nothing more to cost you for any thing, You live in the USA, Their Local, Hahahaha

But then your financial limitations might enter into it also,

$5,000-00 plus repairs and parts, Another $10,000-00. Perhaps, Add these up, Two Tyres, Two Rims, Maybe bearings  in the diff,  and a bent axle, Possibiltys,
With out going into a bent Chassis,

Add up all the spare bits you need to buy before you buy any thing, Those 50 dollar parts mount up exceedingly quickly,

How much to freight it to where you want it to be stored, while you fix it, Rent, ??????????? Add it to the list,

$100-00 an hour for tradesmen to come and fix things you cant,  Add to the list.  WOW, thats some cost there,

Some times, its better value for money to buy an existing going one rather than restore one,

Cheers,
Brian,

Toys, 1989 Grand Villa, 36 foot, ORED with 300 Hp Cat. 2002 Gemini 34 foot Sailing Catamaran, 2006 Honda Super Blackbird 1100XX, 2002 ZR7 750 Kawasaki,
25 HP Chinese tractor and Backhoe,

Re: On a U320, What Holds the Rear Axle to the Coach?

Reply #9 –

Quote
http://en.visonerv.com/cgi-bin/md/M11936/s1.pl

Thanks, Bob. This one has been noted before. I guess you have to show up. I've tried to contact them through their site and by phone to no avail.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320