Bulkhead Inspection

Topic: Bulkhead Inspection (Read 1162 times) previous topic - next topic

Bulkhead Inspection

August 02, 2020, 08:37:37 pm

I was looking at a coach today and the bulkhead looked pretty bad to me, but being new at all of this I have no reference. Please let me know how bad you think this is. Thank you!

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #1 – August 02, 2020, 08:43:38 pm

it's starting that's for sure. Do s search for basement floor. You will get some threads showing what's inside there.

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #2 – August 02, 2020, 09:46:44 pm

Personally unless you can fabricate and weld, run don't walk from this one.

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #3 – August 02, 2020, 10:03:44 pm

Unless it's cheap and you are going to DIY, look elsewhere. A shop is going to charge a lot, and it's a lot of work even if you do it yourself. Check the forward bulkhead too. I sense trouble here. Spend more for a nice coach now and less down the road.

Pierce

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #4 – August 02, 2020, 10:15:59 pm

DIY fix the bulkhead is way beyond regular people's reach.

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #5 – August 02, 2020, 10:35:42 pm

But I have Gorilla Glue. :-) Thank you for your input!

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #6 – August 03, 2020, 04:27:30 am

Maybe I could go in the foretravel bulkhesd rebuild business. I have a pretty good handle on how to go about it... get out of this trucking stuff.

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #7 – August 03, 2020, 05:41:14 am

Quote from: stump – August 03, 2020, 04:27:30 am

Maybe I could go in the foretravel bulkhesd rebuild business. I have a pretty good handle on how to go about it... get out of this trucking stuff.

Necessity is the mother of invention. I think you may be on to something Stump.

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #8 – August 03, 2020, 09:24:40 am

Quote from: jiaxinxi – August 02, 2020, 10:15:59 pm

DIY fix the bulkhead is way beyond regular people's reach.

I respectfully disagree jiaxinxi, if you're willing to put in the time a community college welding class will teach you what you need to know and a good GWAW or MIG welder is a small fraction of the cost of having the work done for you. Although if you can split the labor with a good fabrication shop you can cut down on the bill for outside labor. After all, the fabrication shop doesn't need to pull the tanks, walls and flooring.

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #9 – August 03, 2020, 10:25:05 am

Clearly, the metal for that first compartment forward of that rear bulkhead (under the wet bay) needs a complete rebuild.

You can tell from the "imprint" of box beams (caused by rust jacking) how far forward the damage is likely to have progressed. Compare the imprint of the box beams in the center section of the coach where water intrusion/rust jacking is very unlikely with that further toward the bulkhead. This will be a guide only. Pulling down/opening up the fiberglass coach bottom is the only way to know for sure.

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #10 – August 03, 2020, 10:38:10 am

Quote from: Old Toolmaker – August 03, 2020, 09:24:40 am

I respectfully disagree jiaxinxi, if you're willing to put in the time a community college welding class will teach you what you need to know and a good GWAW or MIG welder is a small fraction of the cost of having the work done for you. Although if you can split the labor with a good fabrication shop you can cut down on the bill for outside labor. After all, the fabrication shop doesn't need to pull the tanks, walls and flooring.

We agree on other things besides the Fiat.

Yes, it takes some planning and learning a new skill but it's just putting one foot in front of the other and planning ahead. Remember the nightmare Don originally got into on his beautiful coach? A smart guy, he figured it out, learned how to do it and rebuilt his basement without a big shop but instead in a challenging driveway. And much better that it ever was from the factory.

Steel is not that expensive and you can learn how to weld with a wire feed much faster and better than stick welling and MUCH faster than gas welding. Head to HF and buy a 64 1/2" steel cutting band saw, grinder, wire feed welder, welding magnets, etc and away you go.

On the other hand, best to buy a coach that has a good bulkhead/basement to begin with and start enjoying it from day one. A '90s vintage coach would have to be discounted at least $10K with damage like the photos above. If the rest of it is not in good shape , it's going to have to be really cheap. Not true on every northern RV but if driven on treated roads, the road spray residue may be working on other areas of the coach.

Pierce

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #11 – August 03, 2020, 10:48:03 am

RUN!!!!!!

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #12 – August 03, 2020, 11:35:25 am

My advice is to find something that isn't broke to start with, find an ORED, end of bulkhead issues. If the underneath is rotted out it would be likely to point to other lack of maintenance problems, say from the roof on down. There are plenty of good Foretravels out there before you need to "restore" the junk.
On the related subject, if buying tools and a class at voetech is the way to go check the posts on retarder mounting brackets.

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #13 – August 03, 2020, 12:17:14 pm

Trading trucking for basement repair would be a toss up Stump.. I was darn tired of trucking after 40 yrs.. may would consider basement repair instead.. Decide to do it Let me come up with a name for your new gig.. Back to OP.. I probably wouldn't buy one knowing of the need. At the same time I wouldn't let possible basement: bulkhead issues steer me away from FT.

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #14 – August 03, 2020, 01:11:27 pm

It's easy to spend time and money driving or flying to inspect a Foretravel and afterwards, be tempted to throw caution to the wind and rationalize why it would be a good buy even with the faults. I've done that several times in the past. Don't! The right coach at the right price is there. Just can take a while.

Pierce

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #15 – August 03, 2020, 01:53:31 pm

Quote

The right coach at the right price is there. Just can take a while.

The other side of the coin is don't spend your life looking for the perfect coach. Tick, tock.
jor

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #16 – August 03, 2020, 02:10:51 pm

Or spend your life making it the perfect coach.

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #17 – August 03, 2020, 04:27:10 pm

Quote from: craneman – August 03, 2020, 02:10:51 pm

Or spend your life making it the perfect coach.

And "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." The only person it has to please is you and your better half.

Pierce

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #18 – August 03, 2020, 05:52:40 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – August 03, 2020, 04:27:10 pm

And "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." The only person it has to please is you and your better half.

Pierce

From a cosmetic standpoint I completely agree.

From a mechanical/structural standpoint, I would HATE to see the average buyer, particularly a first time buyer apply THEIR novice standards and have them think they are "good to go"!

That would likely lead to a lot of "side of the road" incidents and could, as we have seen a couple of times a year when a bulkhead completely fails, a coach in more than one piece.

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #19 – August 03, 2020, 06:28:05 pm

Quite right Brett and I'm the last one to suggest buying a salt coach. Usually (but not always), a damaged bulkhead is only one of other items to give trouble through the years. I was just responding to Cranemans comment about making perfect coach. Some may want a upscale paint job, projector headlights, etc while others may be happy with a coach they gradually improve to fit their needs over the years. Nice to upgrade items, not uprepair items you can't even see. It's not what the neighbors think, it's what you think when you come home to your coach.

And bulkheads don't normally get like the photos above without driving on treated roads. Does not take many miles. We drove our RAV4 to Detroit during one winter. Took the northern route and hit Yellowstone on the way. The new trailer hitch on the back and the chrome ball were rusty when we got home. U300 stayed home as I won't drive on treated roads.

Wet bay leak may also damage the bulkhead but usually on one side and only in the rear.

Pierce

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #20 – August 03, 2020, 09:37:37 pm

In my opinion after what I found with my coach. The reason for this happening is the fresh water tank overflow and no protection on the structure steel. As far as I am concerned this floods the rear bulkhead plate and leaches in everytime you turn left. With spray flaps in front of rear tires the issue is not caused by road spray. I extended my overflow down below the rear bulkhead totally eliminating this concern. Also all the new metal is coated with rust bullet. And my replacement steel was..625 wall vs .500. This will never be a issue in this ares on my coach again.
This is just my opinion. My recommendation is get that fresh water overflow below the bulkhead.

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #21 – August 03, 2020, 10:03:11 pm

I'm trying to recall just how many folks have actually reported an incapacitating bulkhead failure here on the forums. Actual bulkhead failure resulting in separation of the joins rendering the coach unusable. Anyone know? I recall some folks who had some emergency welding done to get home, iirc after driving extensively on unpaved roads.

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #22 – August 03, 2020, 10:14:05 pm

Quote from: Chuck Pearson – August 03, 2020, 10:03:11 pm

I'm trying to recall just how many folks have actually reported an incapacitating bulkhead failure here on the forums. Actual bulkhead failure resulting in separation of the joins rendering the coach unusable. Anyone know? I recall some folks who had some emergency welding done to get home, iirc after driving extensively on unpaved roads.

I can't remember all Chuck but one failed on paved highway when the coach started swerving as I remember. There were photos also. Anyone else remember the incidence? Think it was a U280 but it was a long time ago.

I had a few Roloks break but I've pulled another motorhome up over a bank with a chain after it went over the edge. I popped the front lower cover off and pulled it up in reverse. No noises or anything.

I think there are owners who have no idea of what is under the coach and will drive it until something fails.

Pierce

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #23 – August 04, 2020, 12:37:35 am

I remember that post also! Been quit a few years ago.

Re: Bulkhead Inspection

Reply #24 – August 04, 2020, 10:48:02 am

Also had a rear bulkhead failure near Corpus Christi as I recall causing major separation visible on the side of the coach .

And a front bulkhead failure that allowed the fuel tank to fall out.

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