delamination issue

I may be incorrect, but delamination is the separation of the fiberglass from the backing board, which generally occurs on side walls, and which is totally different from a separation of the cab from house section. A tell tale sign of delamination is the bubbling effect.

Yes, delamination can be caused by other things than water leaks. I remember reading here about one guy who was part of, I think, a recall, that had a delamination problem caused by the dark decals getting hot in the sun, and the head caused delamination of the fiberglass glue underneath.

But it's frequently caused by water leaks. Mine are. I have delam under my kitchen window caused no doubt by a leak there.

I'm not going to go trying to rip things out to fix it. The RV stays in covered storage now and is only out in the elements when it is being used. A little water now and again won't harm it any more than it is in the grand scheme of things. It's 24 years old.

You say the delam area is only 6 in in dia. If you can describe where it is in relation to a window etc, you might get better answers. If you coin tap the area around the delam you can hear where the outer skin is separated . If it is below a window and you can see where the window leaked you can reseal the window and re bond the outer skin while the window is out. I would use this as a point of negotiation on price knowing that it would take a half days work to fix it. I would not be afraid to fix a 6 in area, complete side wall areas I would pass on.

Every delam area on my class C was a result of water intrusion due to previous owners not replacing or caring for the EPDM roof. I've since repaired about 90% of it by removing the top layer of damaged wood then using 1 coating of epoxy resin to strengthen the subsurface then adding another coat and clamping down the fiber board in small sections at a time to get the best results as the stuff has only a 15 minute workable time before curing. The delam bubbling looks much better; not 100% but it's just as strong as it was when undamaged. Still, when it's time to get a new rig, I will be running from delam's.

All delamination is bad. On older MH's, there is a sub-frame that makes replacing/repairing sections "easier". On newer MH's, the whole panel is bonded and gets its strength from everything being stuck together. When newer, bonded MH's delaminate it's a disaster. When older MH's delaminate, it is a different kind of disaster.

No way I buy another MH with delamination.

Jose

cgmartine wrote:
I may be incorrect, but delamination is the separation of the fiberglass from the backing board, which generally occurs on side walls, and which is totally different from a separation of the cab from house section. A tell tale sign of delamination is the bubbling effect.

That's what I was referring to on the side walls, not a separation of the cab from house section.

I may be incorrect, but delamination is the separation of the fiberglass from the backing board, which generally occurs on side walls, and which is totally different from a separation of the cab from house section. A tell tale sign of delamination is the bubbling effect.

It doesn't make any difference in the grand scheme of things, but delamination can happen in a class C, where the cabover meets the main body of the house. That can can be caused by the constant movement/flexing from a house being driven down the road, and not necessarily from water intrusion - although it's still delamination. ;)

I also walked away from a 2004 American Tradition that had three areas of delamination. The seller told me: "just drill a small hole and fill it with glue." I did not fall for that, and thought to myself, even if it could be done, the delamination was caused by a leak, which if it is not corrected, will continue to occur. The seller had not mentioned the delamination. He must have thought I would not notice.

Agree with the above. My 1990 Winnebago Warrior has delamination, mostly under the dining window. It is almost certainly a result of water intrusion that has rotten the underlying core.

It's not worth fixing for us. We keep ours parked under covered storage, so it's only out in the rain during use, if it rains on us.

I would not buy another RV with delamination.

Steve

I'd run. Where there is delamination, there is a high chance of rot and other water damage.