Repair of front step box air strut support

October 02, 2023, 10:18:01 pm

We had our front step frame replaced on our last trip to Foretravel. It was seriously rusted. Afterwards noticed the step seemed to be sagging a bit on one side when we stepped in and out of the coach. I thought it was an adjustment but when changing the oil last week I spent about 30 minutes just rolling under the coach looking things over. I discovered the step well was fiberglass and the air strut was pulling away from the fiberglass which was torn and about to break Loose completely.

Removed the strut and after some head scratching added three new layers of fiberglass on the back side after grinding out the cracks and broken edges. Filled some voids with jelly resin, added two layers of matting on the inside and then made two 16 gauge backing plates to spread the load over a greater area. Hopefully this will support the air strut for the next 25 years.

Re: Repair of front step box air strut support

Reply #1 – October 03, 2023, 01:19:07 pm

Patrick,

Good catch. The times I had been under there working on the air pressure regulators, I assumed that panel was steel rather than fiberglass. I will have to check out the air strut more closely. Thanks for posting (and the pictures).

Richard

Re: Repair of front step box air strut support

Reply #2 – October 04, 2023, 02:01:08 pm

hmmmm One of the things I would never even had thought about.
I too will have to check mine proactively for any issues.
Peter

Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 08, 2025 ...