Community Forums

cannon man · 05-04-2008, 01:41 PM

this is on the national site also. fiberglass cloth from frame rails to floor on sides of engine. can't see engine from wheel wells. should it be there or not? do i remove it? DRIVER? seen this before?????

cannon man · 05-04-2008, 01:41 PM

this is on the national site also. fiberglass cloth from frame rails to floor on sides of engine. can't see engine from wheel wells. should it be there or not? do i remove it? DRIVER? seen this before?????

Richard S. · 05-04-2008, 03:48 PM

National RV used this to protect the engine. It is supposed to be there. Was also used on F53 chassis.

DriVer · 05-04-2008, 04:04 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by cannon man:
.... Should it be there or not? do i remove it? DRIVER? seen this before .... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>cannon man, No I can't say that I have. I don't have any engine covers on my rig however perhaps National had something up their sleeve when they did that. I would call the Workhorse technical support to find out for sure.

Aside from the fabric between the the body and the top of the radiator I don't often see any covers on motorhomes than hide the engine.

two2go · 05-04-2008, 07:44 PM

Driving N on I25 in a strong cross wind in March, the passenger side shroud ripped off with a resounding thud as it hit the rear wheels or something back there. Fortunately, not the toad. I'm wondering if I need to try to replace it? Could it help plug wire cooling?

Bigdaddy · 05-05-2008, 08:02 AM

On our MH, I can see the entire engine looking through the wheel wells. To date I have never had a heat problem. Infact I think my motor run too cool. The only mods I have made is to ensure that all of the air flow through the front passes through the radiator. Have traveled through Needles at +110deg and no heat problems.

DriVer · 05-05-2008, 08:39 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Bigdaddy:
Have traveled through Needles at +110deg and no heat problems. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Me too! The engine ran cool as a cucumber!

We made that run in August up from Casa Grande.

Joe Gilbert · 05-05-2008, 10:33 AM

My 2004 Dolphin is similar if not identical. I would strongly recommend that you not remove this material. National/Dolphin is one of the manufacturers who got their air flow design correct. I say this because I have not heard of any Dolphin having high engine area temperatures nor spark plug wire problems due to high heat. Several manufacturers have had problems so I would not change a thing.

rogueii · 05-06-2008, 01:28 PM

I asked a tech. at the East Coast National Service center a few years ago, and he said to leave them in place. They help in the cooling of the engine.

I have read a lot about Plug wire failures with WH chassis, but I don't recall seeing any problems with National RV, regarding Plug wires. I have not had any. I loosen the ties to roll up the screen, when working , then replace the ties.

jayson · 05-12-2008, 04:49 PM

have the same, but mines a 5342 same year.Never noticed the cloth covers till I say your message.Thanks,Im leaving mine on,how long do do you think there going to last.