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Topic: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum (Read 3753 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #50
Looks great! I think I would of layed my FRP panels smooth side up, easier cleaning and will not hold in the dirt.
I considered it, but decided the textured up in the wet bay would help wick moisture from under the fresh tank. The larger dry storage bay all gets carpet anyways so that didn't matter.
Len Barron
1988 GV36 U280 3208T(250hp)/MT643
1972 Jeep Commando LS2/4L65e
2000 Chevy Express Hightop Campervan
LBZ Duramax /6sp Allison

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #51
As long as you have it all open make a fill sized catch pan for the wet bay and have everything inside of it to catch any leaks.  It can drain out through the bottom.  Wet bay leaks seem to be the cause of most rust issues.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #52
Outstanding work Len!

As long as you have it all open make a fill sized catch pan for the wet bay and have everything inside of it to catch any leaks.  It can drain out through the bottom.  Wet bay leaks seem to be the cause of most rust issues.
Yes, I agree with Roger.  I made stainless steel pans with drain holes but any material that has sealed flanges will work.
I also did not put a single screw into the new floor which is another leak path inside to the foam and structure.  I mounted things to the walls or let them float on top; for instance the water pump is held well enough by the water lines connected to it.
I also used 3M 5200 to caulk the joints between the new floor and walls.  The factory used silicone but it doesn't last and once the tanks are in, it's impossible to see the condition of it let alone reseal it.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #53
I'm humbled by the outstanding work shown on this post. Great examples for others to follow.

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

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #54
Outstanding work Len!
Yes, I agree with Roger.  I made stainless steel pans with drain holes but any material that has sealed flanges will work.
I also did not put a single screw into the new floor which is another leak path inside to the foam and structure.  I mounted things to the walls or let them float on top; for instance the water pump is held well enough by the water lines connected to it.
I also used 3M 5200 to caulk the joints between the new floor and walls.  The factory used silicone but it doesn't last and once the tanks are in, it's impossible to see the condition of it let alone reseal it.

I have wet bay envy, wow!
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #55
Very nice John. 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #56
I'm right there with you John.  Fewer holes in the floor.
  John , you know that 5200 stuff is FOREVER. I used it on our dash to front cap repair and nothing up there even budges now.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #57
Kinda like Shoe Goo. :))
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: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #58
Floor is back in (for good this time). I must have done something right because all the  bolts (all 49 of them) went in without any drama.  I was also very grateful to have used aluminum, this thing got pretty heavy by the time it was insulated/paneled and sealed. I still have a lot of edge/fastener sealing to be done so what you are seeing is not a finish product. I did include a picture (rv31) of the aft bulkhead where I trimmed the 16ga. sheet up 2" and welded it to the angle. It seemed foolish to me to have that continue down to the bolted flange, it is now fully welded across the width of the coach. I'm using "body plugs" to fill the fastener access holes, they'll do double duty as fastener access and drainage/inspection ports if the need ever arises.  I'm also going with a much larger open pass through for my shore power and sewage connection, and I'll be rerouting my fresh water overflow to dump out there as well (eliminating another hole to be drilled).
I'll be out of town for a few days for Christmas but will have some time next week to start repopulating the bays.
Len Barron
1988 GV36 U280 3208T(250hp)/MT643
1972 Jeep Commando LS2/4L65e
2000 Chevy Express Hightop Campervan
LBZ Duramax /6sp Allison

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #59
Love the FRP board.  Tough stuff and very user friendly!  Beautiful job on your rebuild as well.  Quality and professionalism shows!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #60
Very impressive, this forum never ceases to amaze me! We're blessed with many talented folks.
Bill and Marsha Kuykendall
1999 Foretravel U320 36' CAI
Build Number 5446
2006 Lexus GX 470

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #61
Looks fantastic, nice work on a difficult job. I can't wait to see it all come back together. Thanks for all the great pictures! Have a great Christmas :)

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #62
Keep the pictures coming, I love looking at great work.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #63
Finally got to working the project that started this whole mess; new sewer dump setup and new battery tray and cables.  I'm making a two piece aluminum expanded metal grate cover for the opening and some remounting/reconfiguration of the drain valves...fresh water tank overflow will also run to this opening.
Len Barron
1988 GV36 U280 3208T(250hp)/MT643
1972 Jeep Commando LS2/4L65e
2000 Chevy Express Hightop Campervan
LBZ Duramax /6sp Allison

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #64
Also, part of my plan was to just replace the water heater, I had/have the old Atwood GH6-4E which is Propane and has the Engine Heat Exhanger option...it had "issues"
Len Barron
1988 GV36 U280 3208T(250hp)/MT643
1972 Jeep Commando LS2/4L65e
2000 Chevy Express Hightop Campervan
LBZ Duramax /6sp Allison

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #65
Turns out Atwood/Dometic have discontinued all the versions of the GH6 (-4 thru -10) and even the propane only versions are out of stock everywhere...changing to a different model would have required an outer cover change and on my coach the paint stripes run right across that...so I decided to pull it apart and attempt a mini "refurb". I hydro'd the tank (which thanfully was good). Then the "heat exchanger" which is just an aluminum tube (that was corroded through in about 5 spots). I cut off the existing aluminum heat exhanger tube and welded on a new one (bought from mcmaster carr...forgot to get a pic of it). I cleaned up the face panel and all the parts, installed new temp switches and thankfully google how to install new swage rings (it's not hard if you bevel the tube and have a proper sized sleeve to drive them on).  Also replaced the old cardboard and fiberglass insulation with the molded styrofoam.  Overall, I'm happy with it, I've got about $100 in materials and probably more hours than I should but it works...and it no longer leaks.
Len Barron
1988 GV36 U280 3208T(250hp)/MT643
1972 Jeep Commando LS2/4L65e
2000 Chevy Express Hightop Campervan
LBZ Duramax /6sp Allison

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #66
Len, all of that fabrication and labor, yet here I am complimenting you on the water heater restoration:  Nice job!
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #67
I am also in awe of Len's water heater refurb.  I didn't realize such a thing was even possible.

Our '93 U280 is still operating with the original factory installed water heater.  I have always assumed it must be getting close to end-of-life, but now there is a glimmer of hope that it could be saved!

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #68
nice work on everything you have done
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #69
I am also in awe of Len's water heater refurb.  I didn't realize such a thing was even possible.

Our '93 U280 is still operating with the original factory installed water heater.  I have always assumed it must be getting close to end-of-life, but now there is a glimmer of hope that it could be saved!


I was happy that it lasted from 88 until now (and still made good hot water) and would have been good with retiring it had I been able to find a replacement that didn't require changing the outer panel.  I found that a lot of tanks had been replaced due to poor winterizing so the parts support to do the work was there. I was also pretty surprised at just how simple the "heat exchanger" was...I had thought it must be a coil inside the tank or at least something more elaborate than just a tube welded to it...I guess simple saved the day on that..
Len Barron
1988 GV36 U280 3208T(250hp)/MT643
1972 Jeep Commando LS2/4L65e
2000 Chevy Express Hightop Campervan
LBZ Duramax /6sp Allison

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #70
Quote
I found that a lot of tanks had been replaced due to poor winterizing

Also, lots of problems if the tank isn't flushed regularly. Here's the original from my 95.
jor

93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #71
Jor,  Do you have an album of all of the parts of your coach?  You seem to have a picture of every part of a coach.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #72
Forgot to post up that I completed the project(s), new basement floor from the bulkhead just behind the fuel tank all the way to the aft most bulkhead (10ft), converted the remaining floor to through bolt configuration, cleaned and POR15'd the remaining floor, refurbed the water heater, replaced the tank/sewer dump system, new battery mount tray, replaced the chassis battery (house batteries new from PO), replaced all the battery cables and added HD Blue Sea disconnect switches.
Total budget (materials only since I provided the labor) was $1970. Could have been done for about $300 less in steel.
Coach is back in service and we had it out a couple weeks ago..
Len Barron
1988 GV36 U280 3208T(250hp)/MT643
1972 Jeep Commando LS2/4L65e
2000 Chevy Express Hightop Campervan
LBZ Duramax /6sp Allison

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #73
Len,

You set a high bar for those of us who try to do our own work on our coaches.  AFAIK, only Don (Don & Tys) has attempted such a complex floor reconstruction project using mostly his own skills and not employing a "professional" RV repair shop.  You show us all what is possible.  Congratulations on a awesome project well done! 


1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Basement Floor Bulkhead Repair Aluminum

Reply #74
ENJOY !!
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH