cracked wheelwells

[Aerowood]

Here's a couple of pic's I took when I had my wheelwells out. The repairs are a sandwich type with .040 2024-T3 Aluminun shot together wet with MS20470A-5-X rivets and sealed with PRC 1440B1/2

[LI Pets]

Originally Posted by Janet's Husband

covering them in from the inside of the trailer with fiberglass to reinforce them. I figure one layer of woven glass cloth with epoxy resin should do the trick.

Right on

Works great, takes 2 minutes

[Aerowood]

If I were going to use fiberglass, I would most likely use Polyester resin due to it being more flexible then the epoxy resin.

[maccamper]

I know this is an older thread, but I thought I would ask a question anyway. Is everyone talking about patching wheel wells because replacements are not available? I just discovered that we have an interior wheel well that is in really bad shape. Thanks for any reply.

Laird

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by maccamper

I know this is an older thread, but I thought I would ask a question anyway. Is everyone talking about patching wheel wells because replacements are not available? I just discovered that we have an interior wheel well that is in really bad shape. Thanks for any reply.

Laird

Wheel well replacements are available.

A very small number of dealers have them.

Andy

[CanoeStream]

Laird, what is "bad shape?" The wheelwells in my Argosy had a few 6-8" straight cracks. Until better options might come along I formed some strips of aluminum sheet, sealed it with Vulkem and pop riveted them in place.

[maccamper]

We bought our '74 earlier this year, so I don't know much history. The interior wheel well has a large transverse crack about in the middle on the top and part of the side. The flange that secures the well to the body is broken almost the whole length of the wheel well along the top.

When I was removing the frame for the twin bed on that side, I noticed the frame cross members were pretty distressed where they met the aluminum angle screwed to the body. I assume there was too much weight or stress put on the twin bed at some point in time. The crack could be patched, but then there is the flange to deal with. I suppose I could remove all the screws holding the wheel well to the body and put an aluminum angle along the side, but that seems to be as much work as putting a new one in, if I can find one.

Thanks for the repair suggestion, and thanks for letting me know about the replacements, Andy.

Laird