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Topic: Be aware of 1996 U270 For Sale in Florida (Read 2461 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Be aware of 1996 U270 For Sale in Florida

Reply #25 –
Tim, nice photos. They ARE worth a thousand words.

The area between the big angle iron and the tin bulkhead wall/rectangular tubing is a magnet for water and any chemicals that happen to be in it. I was astonished how much rust was behind our angle iron on our otherwise clean undercarriage. Tough to seal the area as the two vertical members that are welded to the angle iron are always a potential source of moisture even if a coating is applied to seal the problem area. Bottom line is, if you have ever driven your coach in the rain, you ARE going to have rust behind the angle iron.

After looking at our fastener failures and rust, it would seem that after forcing the angle iron out perhaps a quarter inch (easy to do with a chisel and single jack after removing a half dozen Roloks), removing majority of rust behind it with a Sawzall and then using a chemically resistive primer, it would then be easy to place galvanized washers between the angle iron and the bulkhead. This would leave a small air gap to allow rinsing and subsequent drying of the area. At the same time, installing a much more appropriate fastener in place of the Rolok. Unless there is damage to the rectangular tubing, this is a easy but time consuming DIY project.

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

Re: Be aware of 1996 U270 For Sale in Florida

Reply #26 –
With that much rust, hard to imagine that the box beam would not be compromised.
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: Be aware of 1996 U270 For Sale in Florida

Reply #27 –
My friend named "Lucky". He did the bolt through with washers, it lasted a year. Then he found this. You can see the bolts are still holding.
1999 U270 40' His coach came from Alaska originally.
The bolts mostly broke on ours, but the steel was intact.The PO owner used 2 come along's to pull the front to the back together.
He then cut the fiberglass belly cut back about 4"'s. Then stitch welded a strip of steel across.
He sealed the belly with foil tape. No leaks, looks clean.
They un-hooked everything electrical possible.
Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Be aware of 1996 U270 For Sale in Florida

Reply #28 –
Ever wonder what C.M. Fore would have thought about this common rust/quality problem?
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Be aware of 1996 U270 For Sale in Florida

Reply #29 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
With that much rust, hard to imagine that the box beam would not be compromised.
Yes, it's too late for any PM and a major repair is in order. I was speaking for "clean" bulkheads where the belly looks good. My remedy is to help avoid at least some of what the photos above show. Driving in winter conditions or internal water leaks will compromise other areas as they whole undercarriage area of our coaches is susceptible to moisture damage.

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

Re: Be aware of 1996 U270 For Sale in Florida

Reply #30 –
So I guess the inquiry I made to one in St. Pete Florida. May not be worth a flight. Looked at one ored online at major rv dealer in Houston, called and ask questions and was told

The 2005 tires looked great

The coach came from Canada and one leveling ram was leaking and they didn't think it could be rebuilt as it so corroded that they could not find a part #

End of conversation.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Be aware of 1996 U270 For Sale in Florida

Reply #31 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Yes, it's too late for any PM and a major repair is in order. I was speaking for "clean" bulkheads where the belly looks good. My remedy is to help avoid at least some of what the photos above show. Driving in winter conditions or internal water leaks will compromise other areas as they whole undercarriage area of our coaches is susceptible to moisture damage.

Pierce


When I was a tech, when repairing Aqua Hot fuel pumps right and left, some had leaked fuel so bad, the diesel got below the fiberglass, and was eating up the foam below. We took the AQ out of one, and rebuilt to fiberglass and foam.I flushed a lot of them out with soapy hot water.
I have also seen this in the fuel tank area.The seems need to be kept sealed up good. I lay paper towels down, and wash out any split diesel on the spot, which always happens no matter how careful I am.
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348