American Coach: Basement Rust Repair

[AbdRahim]

Man that is crazy. Hey, maybe I should order the parts instead of a whole MH.Then I could pay you to build it. That could save a lot of repair shop time (which ?I hope I won't experience this time.).

[Meames1]

Originally Posted by Steverino

Looking really nice! There's nothing that beats the feeling of knowing you figured it out and did it right. Peace of mind and satisfaction all rolled up in one. Really enjoying this thread...

Thanks, I appreciate the kind words and yes the satisfaction comes from knowing it's right. Well, at least right in my world.....friends and family call me a perfectionist, but in reality I'm far from it. Hard to be completely satisfied with a project this size, but so far so good.

[Steverino]

Originally Posted by Meames1

Thanks, I appreciate the kind words and yes the satisfaction comes from knowing it's right. Well, at least right in my world.....friends and family call me a perfectionist, but in reality I'm far from it. Hard to be completely satisfied with a project this size, but so far so good.

I have a feeling you and I would have a lot in common
Sorry if I missed this (or forgot) but whereabouts are you located?

[Meames1]

Originally Posted by Steverino

I have a feeling you and I would have a lot in common
Sorry if I missed this (or forgot) but whereabouts are you located?

Upstate NY, center of state almost on PA border.

[Steverino]

Interesting - we spend a week every summer in Slate Run, PA. It's in Lycoming County, not all that far from the NY border...

[Meames1]

All the uprights installed ! Pretty straightforward, all went back in without a hitch. Cleaned and threw some paint on the fuel tank and rear end while they were exposed. Might have a floor tomorrow if the weather continues to cooperate.

[Meames1]

A few more pics of the overall side of the RV.
Anyone who wants to tackle a project this size on one of these, let me know, I have more pics any questions feel free to ask..there is Waaaayyyy more to it than I showed here. Some may remember, I was talking about reusing the upper tubes on the uprights so they would bolt in the same holes easily. This is very important. Even when reusing the uppers, the holes are very tight and on the 8' long panels that uses two separate uppers (one for each side) they are somewhat of a challenge to reinstall. If not reusing the original upper tubes, I would suggest to not try and use the originals as templates and just leave the holes undrilled. Once you jack the new upright into place and measure the placement, then drill new 3/8's holes to attach to the frame.

[AbdRahim]

Amazing. How did you learn to do all of this? I know I would not have the patience, much less know how.

[NHRA225]

Originally Posted by Meames1

A few more pics of the overall side of the RV.
Anyone who wants to tackle a project this size on one of these, let me know, I have more pics any questions feel free to ask..there is Waaaayyyy more to it than I showed here. Some may remember, I was talking about reusing the upper tubes on the uprights so they would bolt in the same holes easily. This is very important. Even when reusing the uppers, the holes are very tight and on the 8' long panels that uses two separate uppers (one for each side) they are somewhat of a challenge to reinstall. If not reusing the original upper tubes, I would suggest to not try and use the originals as templates and just leave the holes undrilled. Once you jack the new upright into place and measure the placement, then drill new 3/8's holes to attach to the frame.



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Well ? Your My Hero for your effort and tenacity to tackle a job of this magnitude -- My Old 92 is still in tacked from the Factory - Lucky Me !

[Meames1]

Originally Posted by AbdRahim

Amazing. How did you learn to do all of this? I know I would not have the patience, much less know how.

Thanks.All self taught, I have been doing stuff like this for as long as I can remember. I'm very mechanically inclined and have zero fear tearing anything apart to see how it's made and how to "fix" it. In my 51 years I have never paid to have anything repaired...Zero. At least yet .

[Meames1]

Originally Posted by NHRA225

Well ? Your My Hero for your effort and tenacity to tackle a job of this magnitude -- My Old 92 is still in tacked from the Factory - Lucky Me !

Thanks! This coach was a 1 owner from Alaska, so the basement metal saw all the salt, sand, and grit from those roads...and who knows where else. Luckily, the rest of the coach is in impeccable shape, so I felt it was more than worth replacing the basement.


I notice your screen name, I've been a drag racer most of my adult life, but gave it up around 5-6 years ago once I realized none of my children were "into" it. The last 6-8 years of racing I ran mostly heads up drag radial stuff. I raced a bunch of X275 races on the east coast. 4.60's @ 160 in the 1/8th on a 275 radial is a hell of a ride. And people thing RVing is expensive. LOL


I still build a few cars here and there for good friends. I have quite a few SFI 25.3 cages and complete cars out there from my little home shop.

[NHRA225]

That Heads up Radial Racing is Awesome Fast- and Crazy.
I've race Super Gas in NHRA since the mid 90's, Last 2 yrs I've tapered off and trying my best to hang it up-only 2 national events last year, I'll see about the coming year.
Built this in 2002, up dated it year before last.
Enjoy your work --Really looks great !

[Dale70]

I am making the assumption that the 99 Eagle is a Spartan Chassis?

Is your wet bay in front of the left rear tire?
Where are all the cutouts for the water knobs/fixtures and such?

I would have thought the grey/black/water tanks were all sitting on the floor you are replacing.
Are they all supported from above?

thx Dale

[Meames1]

Originally Posted by Dale70

I am making the assumption that the 99 Eagle is a Spartan Chassis?

Is your wet bay in front of the left rear tire?
Where are all the cutouts for the water knobs/fixtures and such?

I would have thought the grey/black/water tanks were all sitting on the floor you are replacing.
Are they all supported from above?

thx Dale

Dale,
Yes Spartan chassis and wet bay at left rear. I removed all the tanks to do this repair. I originally had them supported above, but once I found I had to remove and rebuild all the uppers, I took everything out. The only thing I left was the furnace's supported by straps, just because I didn't feel like removing all the hoses, lines, etc, and they are small enough to work around.