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DPC's avatar
DPC
Explorer
Jul 14, 2015

Possible Delamination - run away, run away!

In our search for a diesel pusher SWMBO and I looked at a 2005 38' two slide coach yesterday. We both really liked just about everything the coach had to offer until I found what I think is the first stages of delamination under the driver's side window. There is a large area that looks like a bubble or swelling about 12" across and probably 8" down under the window. It is just large enough to notice; maybe out from the side of the coach about 1/16th of an inch or maybe 1/8 at most. It does not "give" if you press on it. I asked the salesman and he said it "could" be delamination or as he put it, the fiberglas is beginning to separate.

This could have been the "one" but my instinct is to pass because of this possible issue. Am I being too cautious?
Class A

7 Replies

  • ArchHoagland's avatar
    ArchHoagland
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2015
    Assume you buy it and next year you have to sell it for whatever reason.

    Do you think you'll be able to sell it with that bulge?

    If it's bulging there where else will it start to bulge a year from now?

    Get a written guarantee from the dealer that they will correct any problems down the road OR, as Dennis said, get a heck of a deal on the coach.

    The dealer knows that's a problem and will be glad to unload it.
  • Executive45's avatar
    Executive45
    Explorer III
    Jul 14, 2015
    Yeah. You already have the salesman backpedaling. See how far you can push him.....Dennis
  • BrianinMichigan's avatar
    BrianinMichigan
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2015
    I bought my current MH in 2000. I discovered the delam. about a year later when I saw ants going into the back corner. I was sick to my stomach. I sprayed insecticide in and waited a couple of days and then shot in some Thompkins water seal. I was able to run some 3" screws into the outside trim which hit some steel bracketing. It has been that way since.
  • Popsie's avatar
    Popsie
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2015
    I believe that in this situation, Rumpole would have a good fiberglass (boat?) body shop take a look and give you an estimate to repair the sidewall (not a big deal), and repaint to make it look like nothing ever happened (could be expensive - but not to much considering the size), and factor that into you offer.
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    Jul 14, 2015
    You are looking at a coach that is 10 years old. Do not expect to find everything in like new condition. That is a very small area and if it does not give at all when pushed on, I doubt if it is delamination.
    You may want to check with a marine repair shop that deals in fiberglass repair all of the time and see what they have to say about repairing this.
    If that is the only issue and the inside shows no signs of moisture intrusion, I would go for it and use that as a negotiating tool to lower the price even further.

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