wolfe10
Texas
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Joined: 10/08/2000
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TechWriter wrote:wolfe10 wrote:
I wrote a lot of that article and if you have questions about what to look for, PM me. Bulkhead inspection on a Foretravel Unibody or Unicoach only takes 2 minutes to determine if it could be a major problem and about 10 minutes to to a complete check. Bulkhead problems have two common sources-- lots of salt exposure up north with no rinsing off of salt and long-time leaks in the wet bay that go unfixed. YES, both causes could be easily avoided by just general, simple maintenance.
Brett,
I've seen several Foretravel owners claim they fixed this issue in their driveway -- apparently just removing any broken chassis bolts & replacing them with new ones.
But I remember seeing another more extensive fix in which I think the chassis rails were separated and the rust removed first.
What's the story?
Depends on the extend of the damage. Some have zero issues, Some just have a few broken Rolok bolts-- no bulkhead separation. The fix is under $40 and a couple of hours of work. Been there done that on several.
The other extreme is a totally neglected coach where rust has allowed a bolt or bolts to break, putting more stress on neighboring bolts, not fixing the problem, causing the next bolt to break, etc. I suspect the number in this category is very low, but they will require more extensive repair.
Let's not blow this out of perspective. It is just one of the things that should be checked along with everything else. And rust jacking is an issue on most all coaches/Class 8 trucks/automobiles etc with prolonged salt exposure. It is just reasonable that it be checked.
With that said, the majority of Foretravels remained in the Texas area where their reputation was best known AND near the factory in Nacogoches Texas where they were built and the majority sold. Not much rust jacking in TX, OK, NM, etc!
Brett Wolfe
1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
Cat 3116, Allison 3060
FMCA Forum: www.community.fmca.com/index
Caterpillar RV Engine Owner's Club: www.catrvclub.org
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John S.
Northern Virginia
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Joined: 03/22/2002
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Very few of the coaches have the serious bulkhead issue. The fix is simple and involved putting buck bolts instead of the roll lock that they had originally. I have had no issues in any of my three coaches though.
As to the weight of the coach, the old GV style were not very heavy and the advent of slides made the weight go up as they built up the rest of the coach as well as a heavier coach for bigger engines.
You have a coach that if it was run regularly is going to keep running well.
Join foreforum.com and a lot of your questions will be answered.
John
2001 42' Foretravel U320
2007 Bornfree 24 Painted
2001 Jeep Wrangler
2007 Burgman 650 Executive
Susie and Dolly (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels)
Dolly now in our hearts and thoughts 8-27-05
Doodle a Black and Tan Cavalier
Lolly a Ruby Cavalier
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thunderstruckhd
Ft.lauderdale and Key West,Florida
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Joined: 04/24/2007
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dieharder wrote:You've only owned gassers. First question - air brakes in this motorhome? If so, is an air brake endorsement required in your state? That endorsement does not always apply to commercial drivers only.
He's in Florida and no, he does not need one...
Prevost H3-45 Featherlite Vantare
500HP Series 60 Detroit Diesel
Assorted trailers,toys and toads
And Zoie the Doberman.(01/26/01 - 07/23/11) R.I.P.
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mkc
TX
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Joined: 08/23/2002
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John S. wrote:
Join foreforum.com and a lot of your questions will be answered.
John - that's foreforums.com (don't forget the s) ;-)
Michelle
2003 Foretravel U320
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wolfe10
Texas
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Clicky: http://www.foreforums.com/
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