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Cdsmith96 · 09-27-2015, 03:16 PM

Had our used 2005 Fleetwood Expedition almost two months. Maiden voyage last weekend demo north Georgia to Pigeon Forge and back. Opened cargo hold for auxiliary batteries just now and saw this (see photo). What could have caused this? We has no indication this was going on. Also, should we keep a trickle charge on this motorhome while it sits in our back yard? Thanks for your help.

palehorse89 · 09-27-2015, 03:22 PM

Does it smell like something has burned in the compartment? burnt smell? The batteries look ok, not black? I notice that that compartment does not have a seal/gasket around it, Is the black on the door oil mist/road dirt?
You would of had to have a fire in there to blacken that door like it is and the damage from the heat/fire should be easy to locate I would think.

FreedomDream · 09-27-2015, 03:45 PM

Since you have not had the motorhome very long, did you see this compartment when you bought it? Since your maiden voyage was uneventful. and if you did not smell any burning or see any smoke, it may be old damage. Hope so.

dan-nickie · 09-27-2015, 03:47 PM

Looks like 10 years of crud / dirt to me.

aboatguy · 09-27-2015, 04:17 PM

As folks have already mentioned the battery compartment is not sealed and it looks like dirt and "crud" vice fire damage

Rich-n-Linda · 09-27-2015, 04:32 PM

I don't see any sign of a fire in that photo. Lots of dirt, but no fire.

If there had been a fire in there strong enough to blacken that door like that, your motor home would be a pile of ashes by now.

2006 Mandalay 40E, Cummins ISL 400 HP

Cdsmith96 · 09-27-2015, 05:02 PM

Thanks for all your replies. I failed to mention that the light cover in the upper right hand corner was a little melted and the outer skin on that door in upper right hand corner is pulling away from the inner layer. But, that said, none of the battery cables are melter or damaged. There does seem to be some "soot" around door on upper right corner. We never smelled anything though and I followed him up there and back in my car, never saw any smoke while on the road. We are afraid it happened while we were plugged into 50 amp at campground. Could faulty auxiliary batteries cause this?

Kpjp · 09-27-2015, 06:44 PM

Does the light fixture have the correct bulb installed? Maybe the light was accidentally left illuminated with a higher wattage bulb. Over-lamping a light fixture can cause a defuser to melt.

Jim

Jim
2014 Fleetwood Bounder 35k
2007 VW EOS

dan-nickie · 09-27-2015, 08:27 PM

If it was soot from a fire, that white wall in back would be black also. Is just crud that's built up over the years.

CampDaven · 09-27-2015, 08:40 PM

May I guess you did not inspect all of the bays before?
I suggest that you try cleaning the door and having your batteries checked.

Cdsmith96 · 12-11-2015, 06:34 PM

Thanks to all your replies. We discovered that we had a hole in the exhaust that was sending extremely hot air into that cargo bay.

GA Navigator · 12-11-2015, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cdsmith96

Thanks to all your replies. We discovered that we had a hole in the exhaust that was sending extremely hot air into that cargo bay.

Thanks for the update. This information could help someone.

Paramedic 1 · 12-12-2015, 09:14 AM

Another good reason to do careful "walkarounds" and compartment inspections. And speaking of fires???....Make sure you have multiple ABC fire extinguishers...this DOES NOT mean the little 2.5 lb BC that comes with most motor coaches...it is about worthless....this is where more IS better and safer...JMHO....