Bulkhead question

Topic: Bulkhead question (Read 1945 times) previous topic - next topic

Bulkhead question

July 10, 2018, 01:08:05 am

Hi everyone. Looking for some feedback. Here are some photos of the bulkhead area in a 1999 U270 that I'm looking to purchase. Both the seller and I are curious as to whether this is bulkhead separation or something more serious. Thoughts or feedback welcomed. Thanks in advance.

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #1 – July 10, 2018, 06:35:22 am

You don't have missing bulkhead bolt heads missing. They can be checked by applying 250in-lbs of torque. You definitely have serious corrosion likely caused by unaddressed water leakage. A section of the belly pan is going to have to be removed to determine how much of the basement floor must be replaced.

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #2 – July 10, 2018, 07:35:02 am

Look at the fiberglass skin underneath. Can you see "printing" of the steel structure in the belly skin? That was the best indication of extent of degradation in my recent repair. We ripped The entire skin off to see and it extended just beyond this display in the skin.

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #3 – July 10, 2018, 09:25:24 am

You DO have bulkhead damage. The gap and rust you see in the fiberglass is caused by rust jacking and once open like that allows more water into that area.

Look at how far forward the "printing" is (beams more pronounced because of rust jacking) than further forward. That will give you an indication of how far forward the beams are compromised. Also, look around the drop down door in the wet bay for signs of rust or rust jacking.

The only way to give an accurate estimate of the extend of the damage is to open it up/drop the fiberglass skin off the bottom.

Yes, torquing the Rolock bolts will tell you some of the story, and you will have broken bolts. But, the visible damage is even more telling.

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #4 – July 10, 2018, 10:39:38 am

Thanks everyone for the replies. We are new at this and everyone has been very thoughtful and helpful.

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #5 – July 10, 2018, 11:40:17 am

Don't want to give a too optimistic picture as you never know what is hidden, but I've seen a lot worse just looking at your photos. Brett is correct and you will have broken bolts when you try and torque.

Pull the bottom off and take a look. After cleaning and possibly replacing/repairing some tubing, replace the bolts with either 316 stainless, grade 8s with Nylocs or hot dipped galvanized. Rolocks are not the proper fastener for this application.

Pierce

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #6 – July 10, 2018, 11:43:52 am

OP doesn't own the coach in photos - he is just "looking to purchase". May be limited in how "deeply" he can investigate.

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #7 – July 10, 2018, 12:41:00 pm

The damage is there as is the potential for extensive work needed. Just how extensive is a question that can't be answered without some invasive inspection. At the minimum, the asking price would need to drop about $5 coach bucks before I would look any closer at the other condition based considerations to determine a fair purchase price. At $5k, you could come out slightly ahead if paying for competent repairs to the area, but you could also be way under if a full basement replacement was warranted. Not too likely, but others have chosen to go this route for peace of mind.
Don

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #8 – July 10, 2018, 12:49:39 pm

where is coach located now? what State?

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start - home of SureStart soft starters TCER Direct - home of Generac Approved Aluminum and Copper TCER Composite cable generator-gas-prod - home of X-Riser Gas Risers for PE installation Call me at 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #9 – July 10, 2018, 02:48:01 pm

I know mine is bad, and doesn't look anywhere near that bad. You may also pay attention to the area around the sewer drop down. As others have said the bottom will have to come down to really access the extent of the damage. The 5K number is about the avg cost so I here. As well as a trip to Nacogdoches Tex for repairs.

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #10 – July 10, 2018, 09:18:15 pm

Yep, bulkhead repair in the near future. Not necessarily a deal breaker but recommend you take a good hard critical look at the level of rust/corrosion on other parts as well. Some surface rust is to be expected, but layers of exfoliating metal = walk away.

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #11 – July 10, 2018, 09:30:32 pm

You also need to factor in the lost time on your "new" coach while it is being repaired. That to me is worth quite a bit.

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #12 – July 11, 2018, 01:10:54 am

The easy way might be to: Walk Away.

If you are in love with her ask the current owner to repair the corrosion area(s) and then you will buy if everything else checks out. You could have someone like Brett do an inspection as a condition for purchase along with the corrosion work.

Coach location - pics?

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #13 – July 11, 2018, 02:31:18 am

I would take a grinder and cut back about 1' from the bulk head fiberglass area ( only about a 1/8th" through the fiberglass.)
I would do this along the front and rear bulk heads.
Peel the 1' panel off and get a good look. Most damage will be in this area of the belly.
You can buy some fiberglass panel at Home Depot and glue and screw it on to replace the fiberglass you tore off.
If you want to strip the glued in insulation panel out to see the entire beams you can score it with a razor and then chip it out. I found spraying it with carb cleaner melts it out ( don't be underneath the dissolving dripping foam insulation when you do it).
The seller should do this for you. Even if everything checks out all the bulkhead bolts should be replaced with a bolt and nut on the front and back bulkheads. You can be almost guaranteed that the rolock bolts that are there now from the factory are goners.
The bolt replacement will be way less than a full frame replacement.

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #14 – July 11, 2018, 08:26:22 am

either walk away or get the coach to Brett Wolfe or MOT or someone who can drop the basement floor and give you a firm cost to repair.

If you would say where the coach is, members of the forum would potentially be able to direct you towards one or two qualified repair facilities

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start - home of SureStart soft starters TCER Direct - home of Generac Approved Aluminum and Copper TCER Composite cable generator-gas-prod - home of X-Riser Gas Risers for PE installation Call me at 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #15 – July 11, 2018, 08:38:49 am

Quote from: Lon and Cheryl – July 11, 2018, 02:31:18 am

The seller should do this for you.

If you went to a typical seller and told him he had to perform this "operation" to make a deal, he would tell you to get lost. Then he would try to find another buyer who was less knowledgeable (not a Forum member).

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #16 – July 11, 2018, 09:16:22 am

This ended up being my coach - which was currently located in VA. After several days of research and hours of hearing the opinions of many knowledgeable people, the buyer and I were able to agree to a conservative price reduction that would cover anything but the most extreme catastrophic repair.

You're right, I would have been "better off" telling Chuck to get lost! - but if we couldn't come to an agreement then I was going to hop in the coach on Friday and drive it down to MOT. The alternative wasn't really an option for me - at least not if I wanted to be able to sleep at night.

It was a little tough to come to terms with what we found (and what most were saying in this post), because the last time I was in Nac for service I had it checked, and everything looked pretty good. But, at the end of the day, it is what it is - and Chuck is a great guy that clearly had done his research about every last important aspect of the coach. I sincerely hope that, after the repair, he comes out well on top and gets to invest those extra CBs in some more tangible goodies.

Chuck is a great guy, good conversationalist, and has some excellent stories under his belt. I hope you all get a chance to know/meet him through this forum, should he choose to be an active member. And thanks to everyone else for their objective feedback on this post, and to those who took time out to talk through our inquiries over the phone and via personal message. Cheers!

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #17 – July 11, 2018, 09:37:15 am

Quote from: Blinded04 – July 11, 2018, 09:16:22 am

Chuck is a great guy, good conversationalist, and has some excellent stories under his belt.

Your buyer sounds just like me, except I never talk to anybody, and the only thing under my belt is some excess weight.

Glad you guys were able to strike a deal!

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #18 – July 11, 2018, 09:58:44 am

"Your buyer sounds just like me, except I never talk to anybody, and the only thing under my belt is some excess weight".

Thought it was you !!!

NOBODY can spend 4 years @ VMI and 7 year as a pilot in USAF and not have stories to tell !!!

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #19 – July 11, 2018, 10:03:47 am

Quote from: Bill Chaplin – July 11, 2018, 09:59:52 am

NOBODY can spend 4 years @ VMI and 7 year as a pilot in USAF and not have stories to tell !!!

True, but since this is a "G" rated, family oriented Forum, mums the word.

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #20 – July 11, 2018, 11:13:23 am

I guess the bottom line on this scary thread (it could happen to any of us), would be to post pics of the re-do and (gulp), tell us what it cost! Good luck.

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #21 – July 11, 2018, 11:16:02 am

Quote from: Bill Chaplin – July 11, 2018, 09:59:52 am

"Your buyer sounds just like me, except I never talk to anybody, and the only thing under my belt is some excess weight".
Thought it was you !!!
NOBODY can spend 4 years @ VMI and 7 year as a pilot in USAF and not have stories to tell !!!

I thought I had some great flying stories to tell but Bill puts me to shame. The Flight Engineer is only part of his story. He owned a flying service and I got to go through the previous King Air as well as the new $5.5M King Air. A very accomplished pilot!

Pierce

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #22 – July 11, 2018, 11:22:55 am

Long thread but it does show pics of before and after and lots of comments.

Rear Bulkhead Repair

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #23 – July 11, 2018, 11:35:39 am

When the time is right to sell coach, I will consign it at MOT.
Prior to putting it on the lot, i will have them drop the basement, document the conditions and repair as needed.
I will also make sure tires and chassis batteries are within 4 years old.
Both parties in a subsequent sale will feel good about the transaction. Might cost me a few dollars, but might accelerate sale. In any case, it will feel better to me, simplify my life and reassure the buyer.
Not a recommendation to anyone else, just my thoughts as a post script to this thread.

Re: Bulkhead question

Reply #24 – July 13, 2018, 01:22:35 pm

Thanks everyone for the replies and advice. As the seller James mentioned we were able to negotiate a deal and the motorhome is currently parked in a campground across the street from the house we are renting east of Nashville TN. James is also a great guy and after 35+ years as a cop I believe he is an honest man. Now my judgment has been wrong in that respect in the past but I don't think so this time and I believe he sincerely hopes we come out ahead after we complete the required repairs. Time will tell on that one. Even though James is currently Foretravel less I hope he continues to monitor the forum and respond when he can help out. NOW on to bigger fish to fry where to get it inspected and repaired. I am only about 150 miles west of Tennessee RV and a lot of you who responded to my first post gave them great reviews but I'm wondering if MOT would have more experience and therefore expertise in the bulk head inspection and repair or is there another shop out there that would do a great job? Advice and opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for all the help.

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