Forum Discussion
tatest
Jun 08, 2016Explorer II
Curved front of a trailer like yours is not a laminated panel. The sheet of plastic forming the front is bent over a framework and fastened at the edges. If the panel did not fit just right, there can be waviness, flat spots where supposed to be curved, "bubbles" where it is supposed to be flat.
Since it is not a laminated panel, a dealer who tells you it is delaminating doesn't know what he is talking about, or assumes that you don't and is handing you a line.
It is not likely to be coming apart, but if the distortion is close to the top seam, you might be concerned about leaks at that seam. I would certainly have the seam inspected. The seam could be made highly unlikely to leak, even if trying to pull open, by taping over it with Eternabond.
This misfit of curved panels is common and usually just cosmetic. Bubble means the panel is probably slightly too wide and wants to bow up in the middle to fit between the sides. The repair is to pull the panel off the side seams, try to better re-fit it, maybe trim the width slightly, and hope it fits better when done.
One of the guys in our RV club had this problem with two TTs. First was an Aerolite, at the curve at the top of the rear of the TT. Dealer charged several hundred dollars to fix it, and it still didn't look right, so the guy traded it on a Keystone Sprinter. Rationale was "Keystone is a Thor company, Thor is the biggest so they must make good stuff." Yeah, but the Aerolite was made by Dutchmen, another Thor company.
The Sprinter had a curved front, and in a short time that got distorted at the top curve. This one buckled in slightly rather than buckling out, so rather than a "bubble" that could be passed off as delamination there was a flat spot in the center of the curve. Dealer inspected, found the seam intact, and they used that TT for another 3-4 years before upsizing to a fiver.
Since it is not a laminated panel, a dealer who tells you it is delaminating doesn't know what he is talking about, or assumes that you don't and is handing you a line.
It is not likely to be coming apart, but if the distortion is close to the top seam, you might be concerned about leaks at that seam. I would certainly have the seam inspected. The seam could be made highly unlikely to leak, even if trying to pull open, by taping over it with Eternabond.
This misfit of curved panels is common and usually just cosmetic. Bubble means the panel is probably slightly too wide and wants to bow up in the middle to fit between the sides. The repair is to pull the panel off the side seams, try to better re-fit it, maybe trim the width slightly, and hope it fits better when done.
One of the guys in our RV club had this problem with two TTs. First was an Aerolite, at the curve at the top of the rear of the TT. Dealer charged several hundred dollars to fix it, and it still didn't look right, so the guy traded it on a Keystone Sprinter. Rationale was "Keystone is a Thor company, Thor is the biggest so they must make good stuff." Yeah, but the Aerolite was made by Dutchmen, another Thor company.
The Sprinter had a curved front, and in a short time that got distorted at the top curve. This one buckled in slightly rather than buckling out, so rather than a "bubble" that could be passed off as delamination there was a flat spot in the center of the curve. Dealer inspected, found the seam intact, and they used that TT for another 3-4 years before upsizing to a fiver.
About RV Tips & Tricks
Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,115 PostsLatest Activity: Mar 04, 2025