Fiberglass Siding Cracking Near Slide Out???

Thanks for all the help. So...this sounds like a bigger problem than just a simple fiberglass repair, and more structural in nature, huh?

Not super thrilled about that.

Matt

From what I've read the best way to fix these type of problems is to have your trailer sent back to the factory for the repair. Here's a video from Wonder What's Next as he had a similar failure that the dealer attempted to repair but only came back. It appears the Jayco factory fixed it for good.

Link

goducks10 wrote:
Some MFG's actually make a joint there and put a piece of trim in the slice.
I know Keystone Montana HC's do. Preventative warranty work.

That’s the way mine is manufactured, but you can see the horizontal trim get a gap when it’s on the truck. It closes up when you unhitch. I put a strip of eternabond bond over the trim. Been working well.

My first Alpenlite, 2006 Lippert frame 34RLR developed that crack. Was all set to do the insert fix myself but lost the trailer in a blowover first.

Found another 34RLR as replacement. A late 2007 build. Lippert frame again. 9 years & over 100,000 miles on the trailer later, no crack yet. I do watch that area everytime we set up. It is right near the leg switches.

Some MFG's actually make a joint there and put a piece of trim in the slice.
I know Keystone Montana HC's do. Preventative warranty work.

Same issue on my brand new 5th about 5 months into ownership. It took over 2 months for the manufacturer to give the dealer the OK to open it up to find out the cause. Get your unit in asap if you plan to camp thisnspring My crack opens up 1/8" when hitched so perhaps the issue is structural. I suspect there was a game of hot potatoes with Lippert that caused the delay

Thanks for the comments. Yes...the crack is at the bottom front of the bedroom slide out which is at the front driver side of the coach. Yeah...not real pleased since it is less than a year old. I made an appointment today to bring to a dealer to fix.

I just hope that if it truly is a bigger problem (like structural, etc) that they don't just put a Band-Aid on it only for it to happen again and become a recurring issue.

I may open up the trailer just to inspect the inside as well. Hopefully that would not cause further damage..??

Matt

I also am going with a side wall broken

you say its less than a year old? The fix would be to take it back to the dealer and have repaired under warranty!

Common issue over the years and had nothing to do with structure giving way in most cases. However watch for interior panel cracks or slide issues.
My old '97 5er with the bed room slide developed the infamous crack under the bottom corner.
I drill a 1/8" hole in the end of a 3" long crack but it continued.
Dropped by my rv dealer for input on a fix.
They gave me a foot long piece of outside molding.
I used a thin radiac blade and cut the filon skin all the way down (6")....added the molding with sealant to keep water out.
That was in '03...no issues since.
Now my '97 with the short piece of molding looks like other newer models with the short piece of molding under the slide out installed at the factory.