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Topic: Bulkhead picture (Read 1090 times) previous topic - next topic

Bulkhead picture

Can anyone tell me if this bulkhead is bad? I know it's hard to tell from one photo but I'm wondering what your first impression of this is.  This is a photo from the coach that I'm looking at.  I am going to get more photos later and will post those up.  This is the front and rear bulkheads.  Thank you.
2001 Foretravel U320.

Re: Bulkhead picture

Reply #1 –
Another photo after cleaning looks a lot Better
2001 Foretravel U320.

Re: Bulkhead picture

Reply #2 –
Put a 1/2 inch box end wrench on them and see if any of the heads are about to pop off. Not a long wrench and not super heavy on them.

Doesn't scream of any issues but as you said it's photos
Scott

Re: Bulkhead picture

Reply #3 –
If you look close at the first pic. (of the rear bulkhead) that was posted it looks like someone installed 3 feel good through bolts. Those black plugs you see (in the basement skin) are there so you can get to the nut that is hid under them. Those through bolts and plugs were not OEM. So someone has been trying to keep a check for an issue.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Bulkhead picture

Reply #4 –
It sure cleaned up nicely. It looks good to me.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Bulkhead picture

Reply #5 –
We need the rest of the story.  You cleaned up the bulkhead on a coach you do not own?

Based on the pictures it looks like they have been worked on before. Maybe rebuilt?
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: Bulkhead picture

Reply #6 –
I don't necessarily agree that the bulkhead in the picture has been worked on before or that the thru bolts were added.  As was discussed on a previous post many of us have these bolts in addition to the Rolok bolts and they are in a specific pattern and location which is the same on several of our coaches and all have the same Heyco knockout plugs in the fiberglass belly skin.  I believe these bolts to be added by the factory starting somewhere around the model years 2001-2002.  Possibly in response to previous bulkhead failures?  In any event I think the bulkheads shown in the picture are in very good condition with no evidence of rust jacking at all. Probably this coach has never had a wet bay leak which I believe is the primary culprit of rusting of the basement floor structure.  I do plan to remove all of my Rolok bolts and replace them with grade 8 through bolts in the near future.
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: Bulkhead picture

Reply #7 –
Our 2003 U320 has those same plugs and believe they are original also.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Bulkhead picture

Reply #8 –
Our 03 also had those bolts and plugs.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Bulkhead picture

Reply #9 –
Quote from: rbark –
Our 2003 U320 has those same plugs and believe they are original also.

Can anyone provide the details (such as model number) for those plugs?
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Bulkhead picture

Reply #10 –
Quote from: D.J. Osborn –
Can anyone provide the details (such as model number) for those plugs?
You can order them from FOT directly, or you can just get them off Amazon, which is what FOT actually recommended when I only needed a couple. As I understand it, the size of the hole can vary so you need to measure first.

1 3/4" 1.75 inch Flush Mount... Amazon.com: 1 3/4" 1.75 inch Flush Mount Black Plastic Body and Sheet Metal...
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Bulkhead picture

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Elliott –
You can order them from FOT directly, or you can just get them off Amazon, which is what FOT actually recommended when I only needed a couple. As I understand it, the size of the hole can vary so you need to measure first.

1 3/4" 1.75 inch Flush Mount... Amazon.com: 1 3/4" 1.75 inch Flush Mount Black Plastic Body and Sheet Metal...


Are those self-sealing against water intrusion or is some additional sealant required?
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Bulkhead picture

Reply #12 –
Heyco #2773.  1 3/4" diameter.  These are not "liquid tight" but they don't need to be because they're mounted on the bottom of the assembly.
They fit snugly into a 1 3/4"" diameter hole and gravity will prevent any water from entering.  Using liquid tight plugs on the bottom of the belly pan is counterproductive because it would prevent any moisture from working its way out.  The Heyco plug is what the factory used and it's what I will use.  They can be purchased off Amazon or Mouser.com
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: Bulkhead picture

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Geodmann –
Heyco #2773.  1 3/4" diameter.  These are not "liquid tight" but they don't need to be because they're mounted on the bottom of the assembly.
They fit snugly into a 1 3/4"" diameter hole and gravity will prevent any water from entering.  Using liquid tight plugs on the bottom of the belly pan is counterproductive because it would prevent any moisture from working its way out.  The Heyco plug is what the factory used and it's what I will use.  They can be purchased off Amazon or Mouser.com

How many plugs did the factory use at each bulkhead location?
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Bulkhead picture

Reply #14 –
Quote from: D.J. Osborn –

Are those self-sealing against water intrusion or is some additional sealant required?
Yes, water tight as-is. Took a mallet to tap in
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Bulkhead picture

Reply #15 –
This is a 2001 u320 Coach that i was looking at for sale on the west coast. It is in very nice condition but a little more than I wanted to spend. Came very close to going out and buying it. Being so far away and finding/ getting inspection done was just getting more than I wanted to spend. Still for sale if somebody is interested. DeMartini RV Sales - New and Used Motorhome Dealer | Detail | Vehicles
2001 Foretravel U320.

Re: Bulkhead picture

Reply #16 –
That coach is right in our town. We drive by the place every day. They must have spent over a million for just the concrete for their huge lot.. Glad to take a look if anyone is interested. They have the reputation for selling good products. An old family here in gold country, they have a pharmacy, etc. They are now known as the repo king of the U.S.

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

Re: Bulkhead picture

Reply #17 –
I also live in Grass Valley...I was spending money I shouldn't be in their parts dept so I poked around this the other day since it's the exact model and year of mine though didn't go inside because it was locked.

I would also check it out for someone who is interested...
Dylan and Aimee
2001 U320 4013
Unit# 5896
450 HP/IFS