Taking the Doghouse Cover Off

[max49]

Has any one taken their complete doghouse off on models where Damon completely glued the carpet over the screws, if it has screws?
I have an approximately 12"X15" access cover towards the back of the engine but after owning this MH for 4 years, I have given up every time trying to figure a way to get the cover off with out tearing up the carpet.
At this point, I'd just like to know how to get it off in case a belt alternator or any # of things that could happen that it would be next to impossible to fix, without taking the doghouse off.
Surely other Damon owners must have or had this same problem. Mine's an '05 Daybreak 3270 on a Workhorse P-32

[John H...]

Max, You might want to try a search on "doghouse". I sort of remember this being discussed before. Good luck, John H...

[max49]

John , it might have been me asking before and seemed that no one who replied had one like mine. S a search won't help.
Mine is a real PITA but there are many new owners here and I'm sure Damon didn't make just one like mine. So far I have'nt absolutely had to get it off but I wanted to practice before I have a belt break or something. The problem is , I think I have to rip the carpet up all around the doghouse, so I don't really want to practice that. A terrible design by Damon. I guess they thought the 12"X15" access door was enough.
There must me more. Maybe they have'nt thought about getting the doghouse off yet.

[John H...]

Max, have you ever taken the small cover off? Maybe it is large enough to repair something. Although, I know it would be nice to have a lot of room to do something. Strange anyone would design something that took so much work to remove. John H...

[max49]

You can get to the back of the engine, like sparkplug wires but it's way too far to reach for changing the fan belt or alternator.
I see you have an '04 Daybreak on the Ford. Can you take you doghouse off and on easy all the way up to the dashboard? If so , I wonder if the 1 year is the difference or if it's because yours is a Fowd and mine is a Workhorse.
I bought a new belt and would put it on and keep the original for a spare but I don't really want to tear the carpet up just so I will know how to get the doghouse off.
If I get a chance I guess I could try calling Damon but I'm not too optimistic that the phone answerers know how they are built.

[John H...]

Max, I have never had mine off, but you can tell it wouldn't be too difficult to remove. There are 2 big fasteners on each side. The break is about 8" from the dash. It could be just the difference in chassis. I'm not sure I would do a practice removal just to find out how it comes off. Maybe just wait until you have to, unless it means haveing piece of mind. If you ever have the chance to stop at a Camping World, I'm sure they would tell you how to best remove it. John H....

[max49]

It looks to me like Damon mounted the doghouse cover, then carpeted it, and then carpeted the rest of the coach, rolling the carpet up overlapping the doghouse carpet and glueing it to and about an inch up the doghouse.
It probably helps sound proof and insulate well but it's pretty obvious the designer and installer knew they would not be the one who ever had to remove it.

It looks like it would be a major job to change to change something simple like the serpentine belt or alternator not to mention a water pump. Being able to get the doghouse of would make it much more doable.

[John H...]

Max, Just a thought, but maybe you could find a good carpet installer and have him redo the carpet so it ends right at the doghouse. A nice neat job and you wouldn't notice the change and the DH would be free to come off without interference. John H...