Under carriage rusting already

[Billy thekid]

Hello again folks,
So I own a 2023 newmar ventana 2369 with only 4900 miles on it. the other day while I was under the coach inspecting things I noticed a lot of rust starting to form specially towards the back of the unit. Even the rear hydraulic levelers are showing lots of rust and in addition the chassis battery comparment frame and latch are all fullyrusted to the point that i had to break into the lock to open the door. It was rusted through and through and it would not release.

I contacted Newmar and I was informed that that is not covered under the warranty due to the possibility that the dealer that delivered it from michigan to utah failed to thoroughly wash the under-carriage. A practice that is must to rid of all the salt they spray on snowy roads.

I a writing this thread to make sure:

1-When you buy an RV from snowy climates make sure that that is done.
2-Does Anyone has any advice on how to freeze the rust and stop it from continuing to develop.(someone told that rust is like cancer it continues to form and take over unless you chemically stop it.)

[SafariBen]

Salt is exactly what happened. Practically, you can rinse it well, even pressure wash with a turbo nozzle to remove as much loose paint and rust as possible, then coat with something like fluidfilm.



Or, treat it with a phosphoric acid "rust converter" after pressure washing. and then paint, or fluidfilm.



It shouldn't be hard to slow the rust so that it does not reduce the life of the vehicle. You may have to clean and coat axle and brakes also.

[Sam 3]

A friend of ours has a Rust Proofing business called Protective coating. He rust proofed our 1996 26ft.HiLo. We are the third owners. Ziebart would also be able to do this.

[d23haynes57]

Personally, I find it completely unacceptable that for what these rigs cost that there is not much thought to protecting the steelwork from rust and corrosion. I lost my 04 Tropic-Cal to this and also structural fatigue. For those that use these in winter it is not practical to wash the undercarriage until a spring thaw. And then you are not getting all the salt off and worse you will be washing into nooks and crannies and probably make things worse. My Trop-Cal had the framing at the bottom of the walls rust out and begin failing. The walls were falling down. When I was shopping for rigs I was amazed that this was still not addressed for things made in the 2020's. One of the reasons I did not buy new.

[USMCRET]

I would do two things:

1. Get some “Salt Away” and spray down everything exposed to road salt. That will dissolve any remaining road salt.

2. Coat all exposed metal with something like “Fluid Film”. That will arrest whatever rust exists and prevent further corrosion. Fluid Film has to be refreshed once a year. There is another product whose name escapes me at the moment that does he same thing as Fluid Film, but is more durable.

[Sam 3]

My brother retired as a research chemist for a major company. He said we absolutely have the technology to make rust proof cars and trucks. Also just about anything metal could be rust proof.

[Country Road]

To the OP, I feel your anger.

However, what’s done is done. Some of my equipment is coated with rust and it seems to not have a detrimental effect, especially on the heavier metal. The places I would concern myself with are where there is sheet metal or vulnerable lighter metals.

Remember, yours is not the only one. It’s probably every rig, especially in frigid states, so you now belong to the club.

If it was mine and if it concerned me, I would find a company that would clean and undercoat it professionally. Your money will likely be returned to you as a selling point later.

[Dutch Star Don]

We don't typically see snowy weather out west. However, last month, we drove through Flagstaff in a snowstorm, and we got salt on everything. We washed the coach, but I can see some spots where salt built up under the coach.

I bought two products on Amazon, linked below. One is a neutralizer, and the other is a rolling sprayer. I haven't had time yet, but I will neutralize the salt, rinse and then spray the areas with undercoat. Even in dry weather, steel will rust. Whenever I service the coach, I spray areas that are starting to rust with undercoat.

https://a.co/d/cFa4SDh

https://a.co/d/hpPeiEU

[Dav L]

Lift rig on blocked hydraulic jacks and then put proper rated stands underneath the chassis on solid ground (cement).

Power Wash the undercarriage. Stay away from rubber and electrical with direct blasts.
Let dry.

Wire wheel any bad spots or easy to get to.
POR 15 paint what is metal exposed.
https://www.amazon.com/POR-15-45004-...00H2VVL0S?th=1

Do an area at a time. It will look better than new.

[Argosy]

The roads in Utah aren't salted?

The condition of the battery box sounds suspicious. Do you store it inside? Does it have lead acid batteries? Have you checked the water level and charging voltage? If the batteries have been overcharged long term and there isn't enough air movement to blow the gas away I can see where it could do a lot of damage. I can't see salt damage destroying a lock like you described after a single trip from MI to UT. It's nasty stuff but not that nasty.

[Country Road]

Originally Posted by Argosy

The roads in Utah aren't salted?

Do you store it inside? The condition of the battery box sounds suspicious. Does it have lead acid batteries? Have you checked the water level and charging voltage? If the batteries have been overcharged long term and there isn't enough air movement to blow the gas away I can see where it could do a lot of damage. I can't see salt damage destroying a lock like you described after a single trip from MI to UT. It's nasty stuff but not that nasty.

Well, you may be mistaking. UDOT uses roughly 236,000 tons of salt and/or brine solution to salt or pre-treat their roads annually.

[Adrenjunky]

I completely oiled the underneath of our 40' immediately after delivery. Took about 2 gallons of mouse free scented linseed based oil. Also took all day via a creeper on my back.
9 years later there is ZERO rust anywhere.

[d23haynes57]

Originally Posted by Country Road

Well, you may be mistaking. UDOT uses roughly 236,000 tons of salt and/or brine solution to salt or pre-treat their roads annually.

And the liquid brine is the worst. It easily gets into everything.

[why...land]

Rust abounds and while I installed a complete new center undercover stem to stern, the shower wall is sinking. That Newmar can’t/doesn’t do anything to prevent under the coach is ridiculous! This is unacceptable and cheap behavior by the best in the business!!
I’m sure when they read this post they’ll change the manufacturing process!!!