Damaged Storage Compartment

[adjuster]

I have a 2000 27' Minnie Class C motor home. I had one of the famous Firestone Tires blow out and come apart and it damaged the storage compartment on the right side behind the wheel.
I need to know how this is attached to the motorhome as I do not see any bolts or screws that hold in in place. I need to be able to remove it so I can repair it and also get to a rock guard that was bent up over the tire to replace it. We have the twin bed arangement and it is possible that the attching screws are in the storage area under the bed, but I would like to know before I tear into that area.

Any help will be appreciated.

George Stringfield
Adjuster

[adjuster]

I have a 2000 27' Minnie Class C motor home. I had one of the famous Firestone Tires blow out and come apart and it damaged the storage compartment on the right side behind the wheel.
I need to know how this is attached to the motorhome as I do not see any bolts or screws that hold in in place. I need to be able to remove it so I can repair it and also get to a rock guard that was bent up over the tire to replace it. We have the twin bed arangement and it is possible that the attching screws are in the storage area under the bed, but I would like to know before I tear into that area.

Any help will be appreciated.

George Stringfield
Adjuster

[adjuster]

Well I guess I will have to answer this question. Talked to Winnebago and was advised that the storage compartments are put on the unit prior to the body and they are spot wielded to the frame. They advised that to replace the storage compartment the old unit would have to be cut out and a new one spot wielded to the support frame. I have decided that I will just put a new floor in the old compartment and keep on trucking as one would say. It took a little sheet metal work but I came up with a plan to put a new floor inside the compartment and reinforce it with plate under the bottom. I hope this will be stronger than the orginal and hope I never have to find out with another blow out.

Thanks for the attention.

George Stringfield
Adjuster

[troth]

Hi adjuster! This was the first I noticed your post; -sounds like you're gettin' 'er done!
Tire blowouts in the rear are definitely destructive; everyone prays it won't happen to them.
I've thought about somehow getting a big sheet of 1/8" aluminum and forming a huge inner wheel well, perhaps sheet metal screws to hold it up in there.
Just seems that something more substantial is needed than just the cabinets and/or thin sheet metal that's in there.
Hey, is this a market for an rv safe product or what?

[ichn2go]

Adjuster, I don't think anyone intentionaly ignored you its just that MOST of us on this forum are class A owners. We welcome all Winnebago owners, but we are not as knowledgable about some models.
You did the right thing by calling winnie as its always best to go to the "horses mouth". Good miles and

[adjuster]

I agree Winnebago is very helpful when you call with a question. They do stock the wheel well that was damaged and I have one of those on order from the local dealer. It is made out of a plastic type material and is mounted with screws it looks like. I discovered that the metal that is for the storage compartment floor and back is a composit where two thin sheets of aluminum are around a strifoam center. I guess that is to save on weight, but not a nice site when a tire tears a hole in the floor of the compartment. I found the materials I need at the local scrap yard. Was very luck in that area of the repairs. Aluminum plate about .065 thick at .70 per pound. Inside and out side plate cost 11.70 and I had some material left over. I have the panels made, now I just have to install them. I try to do as much as I can to maintain the motor home and I am still learning as I go. This forum has a lot of information.

George Stringfield
adjuster