Protection of the Water Proof Fabric Above the Tires

Mar 23, 2002 Sat0

While I was comparing brands of fifth wheel campers, I noticed that everyone uses the black fabric material for the underbelly. I also noticed that only about half the manufacturers placed metal over the fabric directly above the tires. I think that over time the tires will pick up enough small pebbles and grit from the road to damage or puncture the fabric. The Wildcat does not have metal above the tires.

On the entry side I purchased a piece of galvanized 'V' tin roofing material from Home Depot. Using a Sawz All, I cut the 'V' tin to a width about 1 inch wider than the space above the tires. I positioned the 'V' tin so the 'V' on the edge would be upside down '/\'. I bent the edge I just cut so it had a 90 degree lip. The width also left one of the 'V's in the middle of the tin which gave some support against sagging. Looking edgeways from the end of the tin it looked something like |----/\----------/\.

I then 'rolled' the tin over the top of the tires to get it roughly into position for installation. Removing the middle metal support strap on the plastic wheel well skirt allows this to be done without removing the skirt.

I used self tapping screws in 3-4 places on both sides to mount the 'V' tin to the underbelly above the tires. I thought the downward lip on both sides would help to channel water spray to the rear during a rain storm.

I primed and painted the tin black. I could not get pictures of this but hope I have explained it adequately.

The tires on the left side were harder to handle. They are directly underneath the 12' slide out. There are metal supports and brackets that make it difficult to put 'V' tin in this area. I decided to use aluminum flashing instead. This allowed me to easily bend and mold the flashing to work around the odd shapes. I put about a 1' lip on this metal also. The outside lip mostly covers the joint where the slide out meets the body of the camper. I felt this would help keep water spray out of the joint. I also put a strip of weather seal tape on the slide out where it contacts the body of the camper to provide additional water proofing.

I primed and painted the metal black.

Mar 23, 2002 Sat 4:50:21 PM EST
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TagsElectrical  (18),Generator  (7),Leaks  (3),Lights  (3),Springs and shackles  (7),Tires  (3)