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Topic: Welding suggestion needed. (Read 738 times) previous topic - next topic

Welding suggestion needed.


Before our last trip I noticed that the bottom of my front right compartment (in front of wheel) had separated from the frame.  I used a couple of lag bolts to secure it for the trip.  Now I have to do a permanent fix.  I removed a steel plate from the inboard side of the "box" and found that the frame was rusted through and this is something I can't fix myself.

I'm guessing that I will need a welding shop or RV shop (trying to avoid -$$$) with a hoist.  I just wanted to get opinions, hopefully from someone who has experience.
 
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Welding suggestion needed.

Reply #1 –
Keith Risch who uses Thomas Welding in nacogdoches.  Excellent work at modest price. 
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Welding suggestion needed.

Reply #2 –
That would be a long trip for us.  We are planning a trip to the Northwest in August, so someone in that area might be better.  Hopefully, we can get it done down here (San Diego).
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Welding suggestion needed.

Reply #3 –
I wouldn't let an RV shop within 10 feet of that. Best case they sub contract it out, worst case they try to have someone in house weld it. Either way you're better off finding a good recommendation for a welder and going directly to them
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

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

Re: Welding suggestion needed.

Reply #4 –
Chances are that entire component is compromised actually replacing and reinstalling may be more cost effective. To patch into / onto it will never be as strong. Also need to prevent this from happening again literally for all of us. If you could add one more photo a little father away I could identify closer I think. Any Gate builder can make this

Re: Welding suggestion needed.

Reply #5 –
You need to take a real good look at the rest of the coach. Begin with the hidden tubing in the storage compartments and frame work at the bottom of the walls. Look above the storage compartment doors. I needed up basically junking my 2004 due this corrosion. The left sidewall began to sink.
Dennis Haynes
Bohemia NY
2008 Nimbus 342 SE Carlyle
Build #6475
Motorcade #19148

Re: Welding suggestion needed.

Reply #6 –
Quote from: d23haynes57 –
You need to take a real good look at the rest of the coach. Begin with the hidden tubing in the storage compartments and frame work at the bottom of the walls. Look above the storage compartment doors. I needed up basically junking my 2004 due this corrosion. The left sidewall began to sink.
There were other rust issues with this coach when I bought it.  Since then I replaced the radiator, CAC and trans. cooler along with all associated hoses.  While the radiator was out, I cleaned up all the rust that was visible and had the bulkhead addressed when we were in Nacogdoches.  This should be the last of the rust.  I bought the coach because it was a mid entry, ISM engine and 36' with a premium paint job.  I knew I would not find another like it.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Welding suggestion needed.

Reply #7 –
At least this is an isolated small section AND isn't due to a plumbing leak.
Dave and Kelli
1997 U295 40' Build #5188 CSGI
1995 U240 36' Build #4621 SBID-SOLD
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Re: Welding suggestion needed.

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Sven and Kristi –
Before our last trip I noticed that the bottom of my front right compartment (in front of wheel) had separated from the frame.  I used a couple of lag bolts to secure it for the trip.  Now I have to do a permanent fix.  I removed a steel plate from the inboard side of the "box" and found that the frame was rusted through and this is something I can't fix myself.

I'm guessing that I will need a welding shop or RV shop (trying to avoid -$$$) with a hoist.  I just wanted to get opinions, hopefully from someone who has experience.

Sven, I got your PM.  Hard to tell exactly the extent of work required to repair, better said, hard to tell exactly the extent of disassembly required to replace the affected structural members.  If you are capable of removing everything, I have an employee out of Ramona that does mobile welding as side work after hours or on the weekends who I can connect you with.  The structural repairs themselves APPEAR simple, just splicing and replacing a couple of square tube members.  The bulk of the work (labor dollars if taking to a shop) is likely going to be the disassembly to get to the steel, and then the reassembly after the repairs are complete.  I will follow up with a PM later this afternoon, I have to run out of the office for a bit.
2000 U320 4010

Re: Welding suggestion needed.

Reply #9 –
Sven: I would look around for an AG equipment repair shop, Cat dealer or one of the big tractors sales shop. They are used to working on big stuff and have the equipment to do it. ( hoists etc. ) Don't know if they are that far south but around here it's Holt Bros. 
The Starship- 1990 Grandvilla Unihome U300 40ft
6V92 Detroit Diesel w/ 4 spd Allison w/ retarder. Build# 3575 , Foretravel# 17895
The Shuttlecraft- 2015 Ford Explorer
Steve ( N6EKV ) & Lori ( N6JTD ) Faries  w/ Marlee our precious pup.
Patterson CA.

Re: Welding suggestion needed.

Reply #10 –
You really don't know how well built a Foretravel is until you try disassembling it.  The first photo show the left side of the cabinet with the thin fiberglass sheet and felt removed.  It is a Styrofoam sheet sandwiched between two thin fiberglass sheets and framed with flat tubular steel.  Since there is no heat source for this isolated cabinet, I don't know why it was insulated.  In the last photo, I put a piece of cardboard in to block out the  background (generator, etc) to show the vertical steel which might serve as an anchor for the new cage.  Hopefully, I have a mobile welder who can do this as a side job.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Welding suggestion needed.

Reply #11 –
Excellent job with disassembly.  The extent of the damage doesn't seem too bad.  I wonder why that particular bay rusted out.  I do think the insulation was there because all of the panels are constructed that way and the foam core provides strength and rigidity to the assembly vs. a hollow panel (referred to as a stressed skin panel).  Hopefully the other bays don't have any similar corrosion issues.
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: Welding suggestion needed.

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Geodmann –
Excellent job with disassembly.  The extent of the damage doesn't seem too bad.  I wonder why that particular bay rusted out.

I'd check the routing of the dash A/C condensate line.  It usually discharges up front, close to that location.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Welding suggestion needed.

Reply #13 –
My thought also.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Welding suggestion needed.

Reply #14 –
I think you have done the hardest part. The welding should be straight forward. A good mobile welder
should be fine. If you have a 50 amp service for the coach you could change the plug on a welder and
use that. That's how I have my welders set up at home.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Welding suggestion needed.

Reply #15 –
Make sure You or who ever welds on your Coach is familiar with welding on a coach with a computer controlled engine. On my Detroit it has specific cautions that must be taken as not to do harm to the injection system and other component's. ^.^d
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Gerry & Brenda
CHARLOTTE HARBOR, FL
1994 Grand Villa - # 4466
U300 Unihome - 6V92 Detroit
4 speed Allison - Jake Brake

Re: Welding suggestion needed.

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Michelle –
I'd check the routing of the dash A/C condensate line.  It usually discharges up front, close to that location.
This is great information. I would consider getting your new parts powder coated and mention to your welder you want everything closed welded to prevent moisture from getting in there. Lookin good

Re: Welding suggestion needed.

Reply #17 –
Best paint for rust in my opinion is Rust Bullet,better then POR15,spray the inside of the tubes with undercoat.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.