Fleetwood Gas MHs - possible support tube problem

[Bob and Inga]

Just an FYI as I have heard similiar problems with others. On ours a body support tube appx. 1" square developed a crack in it. It was in the front right corner and could be seen from the wheel well. After hearing about it from another Bounder owner who had a similiar problem it was something that I looked for at oil / lube time. Probable lots of stress on it with the twisting and turning it gets. I imagine if it had gotten to the break point all kinds of hell would have broken out.

Bob

[Clifftall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob and Inga Just an FYI as I have heard similiar problems with others. On ours a body support tube appx. 1" square developed a crack in it. It was in the front right corner and could be seen from the wheel well. After hearing about it from another Bounder owner who had a similiar problem it was something that I looked for at oil / lube time. Probable lots of stress on it with the twisting and turning it gets. I imagine if it had gotten to the break point all kinds of hell would have broken out. Bob

Thanks for the heads up. Where is the exact location of this tube in the photo?

[Bob and Inga]

Cliff,

It is looking in above the front right tire and out towards the front grill. The tube runs from the chassis (but a Fleetwood add on) and supports the underside of the dash area. There is one on both sides, I have been keeping an eye on them since Bob Ray had a similiar problem with the dash support area. His came loose above where the crack developed on ours. Most likely lots of stress in the area. Just something to keep an eye on as it would probably be real ugly if it actually snapped all the way through.

Bob

[Clifftall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob and Inga Cliff, It is looking in above the front right tire and out towards the front grill. The tube runs from the chassis (but a Fleetwood add on) and supports the underside of the dash area. There is one on both sides, I have been keeping an eye on them since Bob Ray had a similiar problem with the dash support area. His came loose above where the crack developed on ours. Most likely lots of stress in the area. Just something to keep an eye on as it would probably be real ugly if it actually snapped all the way through. Bob

[hondo122]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob and Inga Cliff, It is looking in above the front right tire and out towards the front grill. The tube runs from the chassis (but a Fleetwood add on) and supports the underside of the dash area. There is one on both sides, I have been keeping an eye on them since Bob Ray had a similiar problem with the dash support area. His came loose above where the crack developed on ours. Most likely lots of stress in the area. Just something to keep an eye on as it would probably be real ugly if it actually snapped all the way through. Bob

It probably a good idea to have a gusset plate welded on now to prevent the almost certain break.

[novi2some]

Is it a particular year model? Is it older models or newer models like 2010?

[Clifftall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob and Inga Cliff, It is looking in above the front right tire and out towards the front grill. The tube runs from the chassis (but a Fleetwood add on) and supports the underside of the dash area. There is one on both sides, I have been keeping an eye on them since Bob Ray had a similiar problem with the dash support area. His came loose above where the crack developed on ours. Most likely lots of stress in the area. Just something to keep an eye on as it would probably be real ugly if it actually snapped all the way through. Bob

Bob, What if anything have you done to prevent further damage or are you keeping an eye on it?

[Bob and Inga]

Cliff,

I just had it in to Maudlin International here in Daytona Beach for the Workhorse brake recall. They welded it with a nice 'beefy' weld that closed it up nicely. They also are a great place for service, when I got there Tammy a Service Advisor came out and layed a plastic trail from the entry door to the driver seat and also covered the seat. They use a power flusher to remove all of the old brake fluid which is one of the big complaints people who have had the recall done have made. My only out of pocket cost for for new brake pads ($88 an axle) and $25 for the welding. We have 48,000 on our '06 so our brakes are good to go for another 75k or so. The folks in the site next to us (an SOB DP on a freighliner) have been taking their rig there for years and have been very happy with Maudlin as well. Easy access from the east end of I-4 / I-95 and overnight parking available (no hookups).

Bob

[Bob and Inga]

Quote:

Originally Posted by novi2some Is it a particular year model? Is it older models or newer models like 2010?

I did not post it as a Bounder problem as Fleetwood probably used the same type of support tubing on a lot of its gas chassis MH's. So Pace Arrow or Bounder or Southwind, I think any could be subject to having some cracks form if they have a similiar setup. I doubt you would see it in a newer unit, probably take several years for something like that to happen. Someone I have run into with a similiar rig had a problem in the same area. On his the support tubing/bracket separated from the body area where it was screwed in. In his case he noticed that his dash would lift up and down several inches while driving. With all the twisting and flexing going on it is just an area to keep an eye on. The chassis is solid, the box is solid, its just the pieces holding them together that get a good workout. I like to get under there and crawl around with a flashlight a couple of times a year. Oil change / lube is usually a good time for me. I am glad I saw it before something real bad happened. $25 is cheap when it comes to fixing MH's. Our 06' has not been abused, but it has been driven. We have been full timing for just over 4 years with somewhere north of 320 stops and close to 48k miles.

Bob

[Jobert]

That problem has been around for a while, we had the same problem on a 99 Pace Arrow and on a 2001 Bounder. They both broke in that area and I welded and gusseted those supports on both sides and did not have trouble after that, One broke at a weld joint where there was not enough penetration and the other actually broke the tube. They twist and flex a lot and maybe that area should have a rubber mount at the lower frame attachment. Glad you caught it. Happy Trails Bert

[JohnRR]

Thank you for posting so us new people would see it, I'll be checking my Pace for it when I get to the shop in the morning.

[NLOVNIT]

Which chassis does this affect, WH or Ford (or is it the same add on no matter what chassis one has?)?

Lori-

[Clifftall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT Which chassis does this affect, WH or Ford (or is it the same add on no matter what chassis one has?)? Lori-

I too will be waiting for this answer. The person that the OP mentions ( Bob Ray) has a workhorse i believe.

[mikron]

I didn't think it was a chassis problem as a Fleetwood problem attaching there box.