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Thread: Underbelly
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03-10-2023, 06:35 PM #1
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Underbelly
Had to remove underbelly and insulation, ice maker line broke. Has anyone used closed cell foam board instead of the batten insulation?
It is a mess underneath, glad I'm getting a chance to fix things but wished it wasn't at Imperial Dam LTVA. There is a lot of rub wear on the PEX lines where it runs through the frame.2019 F450 CC
2021 Momentum 395MS-R
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03-10-2023, 06:40 PM #2
Might as well clean up as much as possible, won't get a chance like that again. Maybe put some kind of chaffing protection over the rails where the pex is located or fasten the pex higher up so it isn't touching the rails.
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03-11-2023, 06:08 AM #3
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I'm hoping that I never get a reason to open my underbelly cause I know what a mess it will be and all the hours I'll have to put in to make it bright. As for closed cell foam, why not. It has a better R rating than open cell but is heavier. How about using foam board?
Steph & Lise
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03-11-2023, 07:06 AM #4
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I had mine down, both front and back recently. I thought about putting back XPS, but there really wasn’t enough room between the bottom of the tanks and bottom of the frame. I didn’t have enough time anyway then. Another thing that would be nice is to insulate the inside of the frame. I did add a 1”x2” cross member between the one that was there, and the tank drains. That’s the heavy end of the tanks, and the lack of support was frightening. There is no way that lasts long-term. All the construction sawdust, wire pieces, stripped insulation ends, etc. all over the fiberglass was a nice touch from the factory…
I had the front down because I goofed and filled the gray tank. It leaked about 2-3 gallons out around the donut where the pipe enters the tank. Fiberglass was of course wet, and I doubt that would ever dry out properly. That’s where something like XPS foam board would be nice…it doesn’t accept water, at least not readily.Larry and JoAnna
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03-11-2023, 09:01 AM #5
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The space is a mess. I have even pulled out wiring that was not connected to anything, both ends, plus they are using 12v wire runs to tie 110v wire run to metal the frame. The amount of wear on all the wires hoses running through the frame. Going to wrap all through frame wires and hoses in foam.
The heated underbelly furnace pipe went to the least useful spot, between the frame and one water tank, right in to a big wad of insulation. Going to move the pipe so it is centeraly located for best heating.
This is the 6th time the underbelly had been off, once by a dealer in Oregon, three times by Grand Design and now twice by me. Last time was at the factory five months ago for leaking issues. All for water leaks from the blue flexible hoses. Those are getting replaced as well. I replaced what I could when I put a manifold water system in but could not get to the blue flexible hoses since I "Didnt" want to remove the belly, yet again.
Grand Design is sending me a replacement underbelly, as a good will gesture. I appreciate the "Good Will" since it is out of warranty. It would have been better if they repaired the issues properly at the factory so I didn't have to ask them them.2019 F450 CC
2021 Momentum 395MS-R
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03-11-2023, 11:05 AM #6
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Thank you for venturing into this area and for your info!
Now I'm both wanting to pull my underbelly to preemptively clean things up and afraid of what I might find there.
Since you have it off, can you take some photos of the tank support areas and give your assessment? Especially the fresh water tanks. I sometimes need to go boondocking for many days down some rough roads and knowing the supports I might be stressing would be helpful. TIA!signature
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03-11-2023, 11:28 AM #7
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03-11-2023, 11:51 AM #8
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I hate to suggest it, but as some one who wants their Momentum to last as long as possible, I would pull the belly. Always meant to do it sooner and the last time I did it, was at the roadside on the way to Alaska so nothing got done other than pulling out wet insulation and putting the belly back on. I am glad the weather is warm here in Yuma, would not want to do this back in Alaska.
Here are pictures of how the tanks are secured. I feel better After seeing them, and I might put a strap for reinforcement, but it is really overkill. One thing I am not happy with, was my hydraulic lines ending up between the tank and the support bracket. Several lines like that.
I apologize for my lack of picture taking, editing and placing in to the forum. I also apologize for my lack of inserting quotes. I could blame it on the phone and age but I didn't up in infantry for my technical skills. Lol. Some of us where just designed to carry heavy loads, I blame my ancestry and genes.2019 F450 CC
2021 Momentum 395MS-R
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03-11-2023, 11:59 AM #9
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Rigid insulation was out for me as too many things hang below the frame. My cover just flexes around it all.
I did some things you might consider.
-Mounted weather stripping tape (1/8 x 2) around the perimeter to help sealing. I generally sealed up as much as possible!
-Used batt insulation, but glued to to the belly cover with spray glue. This helps keep it in place when installing the cover and during travel or future work.
-Cut the cover into 4' pieces with 2x2 cross members for attachment. No more all or nothing removal. (Pine 2x2 weighs 1/4 of hem/fir 2x4)
-Used belly cover tape, and cleaned the cover well before hand. Heat, wind, water, and grit will degrade duck type tape.
I wish I had put insulation on the frame rails. Steel is a lousy insulator!Rick
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03-11-2023, 04:04 PM #10
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A couple tricks is to use 3M - 77 spray glue then put wide duct tape over it after it is tacky and for PEX ust rubber hose around pex in areas that go through frame
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