Rust Underneath on Chassis

[mhbell]

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
🙂

[Cbones]

rgatijnet1 wrote:

Cbones wrote:

mgh122 wrote:
"Cbones Nothing to worry about? Only $2500 to repair a 3 foot section that totally rotted through behind the rear wheel on a 5 year old"

What chassis manufacturer. Diesel or gas? I would be very upset, did you buy it used?

2010 Fleetwood Discovery

Didn't anyone notice the deterioration during normal maintenance procedures? It sort of looks like it should have been addressed before it got that bad.

You would think it should have been discovered, but the way that Fleetwood does the basement concealed the rust. The floor in the basement is covered by a plastic corrugated material that I forget the name of. Underneath the metal floor, it is covered by undercoat, so the metal is not visible. Evidently, the sandwich of undercoat and plastic top had a breech that allowed the high pressure of water being slung by the rear tire to get to the metal. I didn't have reason to pull the plastic up until I noticed that the floor was buckling. In essence it was not easily visible.

[GREGORYJ]

The liquid spray I use or have had it applied to my vehicles is call Rust Check. http://www.rustcheck.com/ It's a thin liquid like penetrating oil and
when applied seeps into cavities and places you normally can't access. It will prevents rust or stop rusting that has already started. It will wash off over time so needs to be re-applied periodically.

[rgatijnet1]

Cbones wrote:

mgh122 wrote:
"Cbones Nothing to worry about? Only $2500 to repair a 3 foot section that totally rotted through behind the rear wheel on a 5 year old"

What chassis manufacturer. Diesel or gas? I would be very upset, did you buy it used?

2010 Fleetwood Discovery

Didn't anyone notice the deterioration during normal maintenance procedures? It sort of looks like it should have been addressed before it got that bad.

[Cbones]

mgh122 wrote:
"Cbones Nothing to worry about? Only $2500 to repair a 3 foot section that totally rotted through behind the rear wheel on a 5 year old"

What chassis manufacturer. Diesel or gas? I would be very upset, did you buy it used?

2010 Fleetwood Discovery

[box710]

I spray fluid film on the underside of all my vehicles. just spray it on and leave it.it lasts quite a long time and keeps rust at bay. i got mine from amazon .com and it is usually sold in lots of 3 spray cans. do some research on it and you will find that our military uses it on ll their vehicles. just a suggestion

[okgc]

Nothing to worry about unless you winter travel here in the rust belt.

Spent some time this year helping friends look for used MH and we saw some real rusty stuff here in the midwest.
Rusty basement compartment frames, windshield frames & Chassis frame extensions are probably the biggest early problem areas. All quite expensive fixes.

[mgh122]

"Cbones Nothing to worry about? Only $2500 to repair a 3 foot section that totally rotted through behind the rear wheel on a 5 year old"

What chassis manufacturer. Diesel or gas? I would be very upset, did you buy it used?

[Cbones]

Nothing to worry about? Only $2500 to repair a 3 foot section that totally rotted through behind the rear wheel on a 5 year old coach.

[mhbell]

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

Amen I agree, in over 40 years of RVing with 18 rv's 9 of which were motor homes, all of them had rust. some were 18 years old and one over 20 years old. AFAIK none of them had ever had a undercoating. It would be pretty hard to undercoat mine now with all of the wiring, Exhaust system, jacks, hydralic hoses and tanks, and other parts. I am just wondering why some are warning people to look for rust on the under carrage when buying a motor home :h. It proves nothing unless it has been in a flood. all of them will have surface rust in a few years. As for myself I won't be worrying about it.
Mel

[rgatijnet1]

My Monaco came from the factory with undercoating. I have driven all over the country during the Winter and when we are not traveling it is parked at our property on a lake and about 1 mile from the salt water in the Gulf of Mexico. There is hardly any rust on the underside of our coach. Perhaps the factory undercoating is doing what it is supposed to do.

[creeper]

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]

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]

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

[drcook]

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).