Bulkhead separation

[Eric M]

I am looking at a 1999 FT to purchase and I have heard about an issue with bulkhead separation. What years/models were prone to this issue? What should I be looking for to make sure this issue has been addressed and corrected?

[Jim_HiTek]

My '94 Fleetwood had that. I tired to bolt it using the original sheetrock screws that came from the factory, slightly larger. But within a year, it was bouncing and showing the cracks between the walls and the floor again. So I just left it alone for another 10 years without an issue. I did stuff the cracks found along the floor of the house with insulation when I was trying to tough out a winter but as soon as I drove a few hundred miles they would work their way out again so I just tossed old towels over the cracks. You can put a strong light under the RVs edges at night and see how far back the openings are. Never really bothered me much as I would use Baking powder around the tires and the hose and power cord to keep the ants out anyway. And the carpet sort of sealed the gaps.

It was noticed by the buyer when I sold it but told them about the 10 years it had been that way with no real issues and they bought.

[wolfe10]

Originally Posted by Eric M

I am looking at a 1999 FT to purchase and I have heard about an issue with bulkhead separation. What years/models were prone to this issue? What should I be looking for to make sure this issue has been addressed and corrected?

I am a little reluctant to post a link to another forum here in iRV2, but this is a Foretravel-specific issue and answers from those with other coaches/other chassis will lead you astray.

Fortravel bulkhead are well covered in the https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=forum


Just do a search there for bulkheads. If questions, ask.


This is TOTALLY unrelated to other coaches, as the Unibody structure is totally different than "chassis rail" coaches.


Basically the Foretravel bulkheads (attachment of the center monocoque structure to the rails carrying front and rear suspension, engine and transmission) are good forever UNLESS (yes a large UNLESS) exposed to water leaks, particularly from wet bay OR salt roads and not rinsed off.


The good news is that a failed bulkhead, or even one that needs reinforcement is pretty easy to identify.