Community Forums

r3842id · 04-10-2021, 11:32 PM

I was looking under two different 5'ers above the wheels. I understand that a blowout is going to cause a lot of damage but my question is to road debri and moisture damage.

One of them had a layer of sheet metal sandwiched between the frame and the flooring unit while the other had the darco wrapped framed flooring directly above the tires. See pictures.

It would seem that items kicked up from the road or moisture would eventually break away at the darco wrap and that the simple sheet metal would help deflect debris and moisture prolonging life.

Am I missing something? Most I am seeing have the more exposed example - is this even a problem? You can't put the piece of sheet metal in after it is manufactured. Is there something else you can put there to help protect the flooring so it is not directly exposed?

Am I over thinking this?

xc-mark · 04-11-2021, 10:59 AM

My redwood has sheet metal over the tires , looks like maybe 24 or 22 gauge. the tires have blasted the zinc coating off some of it , we have about 15,000 mile on it.

r3842id · 04-11-2021, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xc-mark

My redwood has sheet metal over the tires , looks like maybe 24 or 22 gauge. the tires have blasted the zinc coating off some of it , we have about 15,000 mile on it.

Thanks for the input. Exactly what I was concerned about. If the tires have blasted the zinc coating off in areas what would happen to the darco wrap with that same exposure.

I was hoping for more feedback from others but maybe this is a non-issue or folks haven't considered it.

Slapshoot · 04-11-2021, 04:48 PM

I hope you get more answers as I sit here and watch the discussion!

Fiesta48 · 04-14-2021, 07:31 AM

If a blow out occurs, 1/4" steel above, front and back "might" prevent some damage. That would be very heavy. Your best to maintain correct tire pressure, inspect the tires, stay under gross vehicle weight, not speed and replace with better quality.

Garyp4951 · 04-14-2021, 08:04 AM

Mine has the Darco fabric, and I agree its dumb not to have wheel well liners.
I put some black eternabond over it to help, but have been looking online for some real liners.

Garyp4951 · 04-14-2021, 08:11 AM

http://https://www.pellandent.com/RV-Wheel-Wells

Jkjavelin · 04-14-2021, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garyp4951

https://www.pellandent.com/RV-Wheel-Wells

Maybe this will work.
Edit...you beat me to it

Kenny Loney · 04-14-2021, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jkjavelin

Maybe this will work.
Edit...you beat me to it

I like this idea, heavy plastic to contain small road debris, sand, stones etc from damaging to RV floor. Either 100% sealed to prevent moisture buildup or open for ventilation and drying.
As for a sudden tire failure, prevention before and insurance after.

Ken

kdauto · 04-14-2021, 04:19 PM

My 5th has stainless or zinc sheetmetal covering the top part of the wheelwell. My previous trailer it was just the black fabric sheeting. The previous trailer was still looking OK after 10 years, and we drove through rain and snow at times.

My thinking is some rhino liner type of spray should stick to almost anything as long as it's clean and wax and grease free. Rhino liner is almost bulletproof, but please don't try that.

I have some cans I bought for touchup of my bedliner from moving the 5th wheel rails forward. I'll see if that appears as tough as the real rhino liner coating.

ALLOY · 04-15-2021, 10:37 PM

I've seen pictures of a blow out that ripped through the tin and into the trailer. It was a mess.

My wheel wells are made with 3/16' alum and insulated on the inside with 1/2" foam.

When I pulled the tin out there was several placed water/mud got inside the trailer.

r3842id · 04-16-2021, 02:16 AM

Thanks for all of the answers and possible solutions. As I originally stated I was not looking for protection from tire failure but wanting to better understand solutions to protect the darco wrapped flooring or what issues you have had with it being exposed.

I spent the last few days in Elkhart doing plant tours and asked this question several times. I had a manufacturer tell me that they recently went to a sheetmetal wrapped covering on their 21 models to protect the darco wrapped flooring for the exact reason I was questioning. Although they stated it was a small percent there were incidents of road debris puncturing the darco wrap and then moisture and other debris building up within the floor so they added as another layer of protection.

However most told me that the darco wrap is a moisture proof barrier and there is no concern of what get kicks up from the tires. One demonstrated to me how tough and hard it is to tear. I may be wrong but still seems it will wear down and there must be some opportunity as some manufacturers have addressed it.

I do like the wheel wells in the link provided.. But heck the eternabond and even the Rhino spray would seem to add a layer of protection and would be a quick remedy.