I have read several posts on people worrying about Rust on the chassis underneath of Motor Homes. What is the big deal? I would expect most undersides of motor homes after a couple of years to have lots rust underneath, especially if based in northern areas where they use salt on the roads and in coastal areas. The under carrage of my motor home has lots of rust on chassis frame and some of the parts. It was based in Tacoma Wa for 8 or 9 years before I bought it. The rust on the underside of my present motor home is not flaking kind of rust, but the frame and other parts are rusty colored. I don't feel it is anything to really worry about. If it had been in a flood that would be another story. Anyone care to comment.Mel:)

I don't worry about surface rust. I also don't drive our Southwind on the salt covered roads. It sits in the yard during the winter.

I use my MH when I want where I want and if the darn frame rusts out I will get a new one or fix the one I have.I could get in an accident or have storm damage or some other problem.The thinking of not using it because it might rust or some other calamity befall the rig it would mean it has to sit in a temperature and humidity controlled concrete bunker so it is protected. THAT IS NOT WHY I HAVE A RIG.Use it and do not worry about what might happen

darsben wrote:I use my MH when I want where I want and if the darn frame rusts out I will get a new one or fix the one I have.I could get in an accident or have storm damage or some other problem.The thinking of not using it because it might rust or some other calamity befall the rig it would mean it has to sit in a temperature and humidity controlled concrete bunker so it is protected. THAT IS NOT WHY I HAVE A RIG.Use it and do not worry about what might happenWow!! I don't drive it during the winter by choice, not because I'm concerned about something happening to the RV. The Southwind is usually snowed in.I do drive my Suburban all winter in the snow, ice and salt. Feel better? :)

Here in Ohio, it is the rust belt capital of the world, well maybe shared with Michigan. I undercoat my vehicles, especially ones that will see salt or other road de-icer. Ziebart undercoating works well. So does spraying with oil. It is just a matter of managing your equipment. Even our travel trailer, which never leaves the drive when it snows, gets some rust. I use a product named Os-Pho. It is phosphoric acid. It kills rust. I treat the rust and paint the spots. Problem solved.The absolute worst thing that can happen is to have brake lines rust out. Everyone that does not live in the rust free areas of the country should make it a habit of having the brake lines inspected (on a vehicle that has them of course).

I thought that a rusting frame was mostly a Winnebago issue?

Rust Underneath on Chassis | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

creeper
Explorer
Sep 14, 2015
mhbell wrote:
I have read several posts on people worrying about Rust on the chassis underneath of Motor Homes. What is the big deal?
:)

When you have to start replacing square tubing structure you'll understand what the big deal is. Chassis rust is not a big deal, the rather thin square tubing is along with all the other thin, cheap sheet metal they use.

Once every spring with a wire wheel and a few cans of paint keeps things under control. Some fluid film protectant inside the square tubing and all is good.

Rust affects the trade in or sale value. It's just a regular maintenance item.
full-timer
Explorer
Sep 14, 2015
Mine had rust also when I got it still looks the same after 13 years. Winnebago has nothing to do with the frame just the box they put on it.
Pangaea_Ron
Explorer
Sep 13, 2015
I thought that a rusting frame was mostly a Winnebago issue?
drcook
Explorer
Sep 13, 2015
Here in Ohio, it is the rust belt capital of the world, well maybe shared with Michigan. I undercoat my vehicles, especially ones that will see salt or other road de-icer. Ziebart undercoating works well. So does spraying with oil.

It is just a matter of managing your equipment.

Even our travel trailer, which never leaves the drive when it snows, gets some rust. I use a product named Os-Pho. It is phosphoric acid. It kills rust. I treat the rust and paint the spots. Problem solved.

The absolute worst thing that can happen is to have brake lines rust out. Everyone that does not live in the rust free areas of the country should make it a habit of having the brake lines inspected (on a vehicle that has them of course).
gbopp
Explorer
Sep 13, 2015
darsben wrote:
I use my MH when I want where I want and if the darn frame rusts out I will get a new one or fix the one I have.
I could get in an accident or have storm damage or some other problem.
The thinking of not using it because it might rust or some other calamity befall the rig it would mean it has to sit in a temperature and humidity controlled concrete bunker so it is protected. THAT IS NOT WHY I HAVE A RIG.
Use it and do not worry about what might happen

Wow!! I don't drive it during the winter by choice, not because I'm concerned about something happening to the RV. The Southwind is usually snowed in.

I do drive my Suburban all winter in the snow, ice and salt. Feel better? :)
darsben
Explorer II
Sep 13, 2015
I use my MH when I want where I want and if the darn frame rusts out I will get a new one or fix the one I have.
I could get in an accident or have storm damage or some other problem.
The thinking of not using it because it might rust or some other calamity befall the rig it would mean it has to sit in a temperature and humidity controlled concrete bunker so it is protected. THAT IS NOT WHY I HAVE A RIG.
Use it and do not worry about what might happen
gbopp
Explorer
Sep 13, 2015
I don't worry about surface rust.

I also don't drive our Southwind on the salt covered roads. It sits in the yard during the winter.

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Rust Underneath on Chassis

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