Fleetwood Flair doghouse removal

[garymunson]

Am I correct in assuming the doghouse on my 2004 Fleetwood Flair is glued down? I am wanting to insulate it but after removing the top 'porthole' access panel, looking under it seems to indicate it is glued into place judging by the sealer that seems to be adhering the main doghouse to the RV floor. Has anyone been able to get it loose without ruining it? Being just bare fiberglass with some carpet glued to the top, it seems insulating it will greatly cut the noise and heat coming into the passenger area. It looks like it will be a bear to insulate it in place, quite easy if I can get it loose. Thanks, Gary.

[santees]

I have 2004 Winn class A but my doghouse has a lock bar that use's a allen wrench to cam and unlock the doghouse. The allen wrench socket hole its is inbedded in the carpet on the aft part of the doghouse were the doghouse meets the floor. hope that helps

[garymunson]

Mine does not seem to have that. The top surface has a removable hatch that allows access. I'm thinking if the doghouse itself comes off there might be screws under the glued down carpet. I hate to start ripping at my good carpet if I'm not going to find anything there. Anyone here had the doghouse off a Flair (or other 04 Fleetwood model? Thanks, Gary.

[cwit]

We have an 04 flair also . I would like to know myself for the same reason.

[chuckftboy]

I have a Fleetwood but it isn't a Flair. My dog house is screwed and glued down. You are right about insulation making things quieter. Mine was insulated at the factory and the cabin is plesently quiet when we travel. My last class A was built by Newmar and the entire dog house came off with with just 1 latch, a much better design.

[retired2002]

My Fleetwood Fiesta had the same problem. Check out my dog house removal and fix on the following post under Workhorse Custom Chassis
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f22/dog-house-removal-194490.html

[garymunson]

Retired...did you just use a putty knife to cut through the silicone?

[garymunson]

Also...Retired, is there a significant flange on the bottom edge of the doghouse that's going to force me to tear my carpet back some to get the doghouse loose? I hate to damage otherwise great condition carpet. I see you replaced your carpet when you pulled yours. I'm assuming you tore the original carpet up and had easy access to where the doghouse fastened down from inside the cab. If I do not pull my carpet up I'm assuming I'll have to work through the access hatch from inside of the engine compartment.

[jdoran1973]

Did a google search for 2004 fleetwood flair dog house removal. There is an old irv2 thread from 2011 called "dog house" one poster "wildmanbaker" has the same Rv and posted a question that " ha traveler" answered via private mail. You may want to read that thread and pm wildmanbaker as they can probably answer this but may not see your post

[retired2002]

I used an oscillating multifunction power tool that I purchased from Harbor Freight. The blade is called a plunge blade that allows you to slip it under the lip of the dog house to break through the silicone. Had to pull back the carpet a couple of inches to get the blade under the lip Hope this helps...

[garymunson]

Thanks! Guess it's time to get busy... It's cooled off some here now and the fan screaming has subsided. Apparently it's performing as intended and it's mainly the lack of insulation that makes it so obnoxious. It would seem to me that bare fiberglass with just some carpet stuck on the outside wouldn't stop a whole lot of noise. I have high hopes for my efforts.

[retired2002]

We took our first trip since we added the sound proofing material under the dog house. What a difference it made. Can now talk to my wife without raising my voice. It was worth the effort.

[Annierufus]

What type of soundproofing did you use ?


Joe 1998 Itasca Sunflyer Ford 460

[retired2002]

Installed some Dynamat sound proofing under the dog house. Also, added a strip of weather proofing under the edge of the dog house cover.