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2015terra · 01-19-2017, 05:49 PM

A piece of sheet metal that was spot welded vertically to the frame running along the passenger side of the motor home between engine exhaust and propane tank and propane line has fallen off. The sheet metal plate is about 12" high by 5 feet long. There is about 15-18 inches between the exhaust and the propane tank. The propane tank also has a heat shield around it. This piece had a few spot welds on holding it.
I was on RT 95 running about 65mph when I heard an awful sound and when I could pull off the road the panel was held by just one spot weld. I was able to remove the shield and continue the trip.
So the question is: do I need it. If I do I will reattach with metal brackets not welds.
I think the panel was swaying back and forth in the wind while driving and that is what broke the welds. There are no marks that would indicate something hit it.

2015 18000 F53 chassis.

Unplanned Tourist · 01-19-2017, 06:36 PM

It was put there by the factory, and I'm sure if it wasn't needed they would not have put it there. JMHO. Brackets sound like a solution.

mchero · 01-19-2017, 07:19 PM

Suggest you reattach ASAP. You will be glad you did middle of a hot summer day!

novi2some · 01-19-2017, 08:22 PM

I had the same experience on my 2010 Bounder. I used galvanized metal straps you can by at say Home Depot. I used existing holes on the frame and drilled holes into the shield. I used stainless steel bolts and nuts. Problem solved.

rapid rick · 01-21-2017, 06:29 AM

A couple years ago I read on here that someone with a bounder had the same issue. At that time I checked mine on my terra. I did what novi2some did, drilled shield and bolted thru existing holes in chassis frame, I used bolts,fender washers and elastic stop nuts. While under there, I slammed my forehead into front bottom corner of heat shield. Once I got the bleeding under control, went back under and made a frame around bottom and sides of heat shield with 1" aluminum angle that I had in the shop.I also added angle vertically, bolting thru existing holes in chassis down to bottom of heat shield and bolting thru heat shield. By adding those angles, the heat shield now does not make any vibration or noise,is solid and has a little more of a blunt edge. There is also another shield just to the rear of the shield that you had fall off, going almost back to the rear wheels I incorperated the angle and bolting all the way to the rear of that panel also. Painted the whole thing with black high temp paint.

2015terra · 01-21-2017, 08:06 PM

Rapid Rick. I was planning to frame the plate the way you did. I was going to use angle iron but I like your idea better. Good to hear I not overdoing it. I believe the plate was waving side to side like a flag when I running at speed and that was what caused the most of the tack welds to break.
When I first heard the noise I thought the Jeep towed had come loose. So there I was on the side of RT 95 wiggling the plate back and forth to break the only remaining weld holding the plate.

rapid rick · 01-23-2017, 05:09 PM

You should be able to get 1" aluminum angle from any co that does screen rooms in florida, will most likely be white finish

micbit96 · 01-31-2017, 11:01 AM

Happened to my Storm. I fixed using baling wire around frame or thru existing holes in the frame. I attached the wire every 18" or so to the sheet metal cover. After 3 years the fix is still good.