Building a New Dog House/Cover Over Engine Compartment

allbrandauto wrote:
I have a Fleetwood bounder like yours my dog house cracked I built a wooden cover out of wood and stained it same color as interior that fits completely over dog house much nicer than what was there before

Wow would like to see a pic of that, take a pic with your phone and upload it..

I have a Fleetwood bounder like yours my dog house cracked I built a wooden cover out of wood and stained it same color as interior that fits completely over dog house much nicer than what was there before

Carvin Marvin wrote:
I lowered the dog house on my 02 Southwind. The tall one was for the Ford engine. The 8.1 is lower. Just do it. You will like the ease of getting by the hump. I made it from 3/4 plywood. I then sheeted the surface with metal to reflect the heat.

A pic would be great.

rockhillmanor wrote:
When I considered this I found dog house kits on line that you just put over it and/or replace it. Many different styles to choose from and they look like original equipment. IMHO a Lot easier than cutting and building one.

Could you post a link to that site, unable to find that on the net.

When I considered this I found dog house kits on line that you just put over it and/or replace it. Many different styles to choose from and they look like original equipment. IMHO a Lot easier than cutting and building one.

I lowered the dog house on my 02 Southwind. The tall one was for the Ford engine. The 8.1 is lower. Just do it. You will like the ease of getting by the hump. I made it from 3/4 plywood. I then sheeted the surface with metal to reflect the heat.

s N s wrote:
My advice is, leave it as it is. I would think if it could have been lower Fleetwood would have made it lower. Don't forget you need air movement to help dissipate hate. JMHO

We definitely need to dissipate the hate in our country. :)

elwood58 wrote:
The shorter doghouse appears to be on a newer raised chassis MH. Less of the engine protruding into the floor area equals a much shorter doghouse.

I cut a six inch section out of the length of the doghouse. Removed the carpeting on the outside and the sound deadening on the inside. Had to make relief cuts in the sloping walls and the base section to fit everything back together. Held everything with clamps and epoxied matte and cloth on the inside to 'glue' it back together. Finished the doghouse with new sound deadener on the inside, painted the outside and added some carpeting on the top.

Now, much easier to swing your legs around the doghouse. The shortened length didn't seem to bother the mechanic when he replaced the exhaust manifold.

My advice is, leave it as it is. I would think if it could have been lower Fleetwood would have made it lower. Don't forget you need air movement to help dissipate hate. JMHO

The shorter doghouse appears to be on a newer raised chassis MH. Less of the engine protruding into the floor area equals a much shorter doghouse.