I am currently looking at two RVs one a class A and one a class C. I will attach the links to them both. They're currently at two different dealers who are both trying to get my business, camping world brought up that the class c at the other dealer looks to have Delamination and I've read to pass on rvs with that but I've also read that some times it can just be a case of the vinyl coming up. I'm not experienced with either so I would like someone to take a look at the class c and let me know what they think of the issue. As far as the class A goes it's a 98 dutchstar with ugly blue carpet but it's 10k cheaper than the class c. Hard choice. Class c http://www.autoshowcasetlh.com/mobile/view/13462Class A does not have pictures but is located here http://www.campingworldoftallahassee.com/class-a-gas/1998/newmar-dutchstar/463891They're letting the class A go for 10k which makes me think something's probably wrong with it. I just want a reliable RV...

That is delamination on the passenger side under the bunk window. A leak there can mean rotted substructure under the window and in the floor of the bunk area. Very expensive to repair and it may never be like new again.At over $19000 asking price you may be able to do better.There are many guys on here that have undertaken repair projects like this and some did a good job. If you have experience in this type of repair it might be a good project vehicle if the price was about 1/2 of current asking.Owning an RV is about getting out with family and friends and having fun. A $10,000 RV with ugly carpet might hurt the eyes but if it is solid and mechanically sound it might be just the ticket.A friend of mine had the ugliest two tone green class C you could imagine. He and his family had so much fun in that thing, years later they still laugh about it. For them ugly was part of the fun.By the way, what you heard about delamination is true, unless you are a super handy guy, avoid it at all costs! I would take old, ugly but in good condition all day long over newer with delam!

De lamination is nearly impossible to correct. A brother in law of mine bought one with that problem and he completely took out the inside wall. The wood framing was rotted very badly. He is a stubborn individual and he spent a couple of years on it and finally came out with a fair looking job. You could still see waves in the outside skin however. He did all the labor himself but he still put a bundle into a coach that was not worth what he paid for it.He even had to replace the roof as where it was anchored was all rotted. It sure did not look that bad when he bought it.

Wrong Lane wrote:That is delamination on the passenger side under the bunk window. A leak there can mean rotted substructure under the window and in the floor of the bunk area. Very expensive to repair and it may never be like new again.At over $19000 asking price you may be able to do better.There are many guys on here that have undertaken repair projects like this and some did a good job. If you have experience in this type of repair it might be a good project vehicle if the price was about 1/2 of current asking.Owning an RV is about getting out with family and friends and having fun. A $10,000 RV with ugly carpet might hurt the eyes but if it is solid and mechanically sound it might be just the ticket.A friend of mine had the ugliest two tone green class C you could imagine. He and his family had so much fun in that thing, years later they still laugh about it. For them ugly was part of the fun.By the way, what you heard about delamination is true, unless you are a super handy guy, avoid it at all costs! I would take old, ugly but in good condition all day long over newer with delam!The thing is they wont even budge on the price. Its a consignment or something, think some lady in london is selling it and she left it with them to sell they wont go under 18k. Also called a RV mechanic to go over it and hes trying to charge 350.00!! thats outrageous to me... Has anyone here dealt with camping world RV sales? thats where the older model is at. What kind of issues come from delamination? What would happen if I just went over it with fiberglass sheets? How long till something serious happens to it? It doesnt sound like a serious problem to me.. then again I am not experienced, But a little wood rot in a tiny portion like that seems like a easy fix. cut out, re fiberglass, seal, and paint? No idea what I am talking about tho.

The net here is that delamination is the result of water intrusion at some point. Perhaps the leak has been fixed and it won't get worse. Perhaps not. Either way there are plenty of used units out there that do not have delamination issues so I'd keep looking.

wildtoad wrote:The net here is that delamination is the result of water intrusion at some point. Perhaps the leak has been fixed and it won't get worse. Perhaps not. Either way there are plenty of used units out there that do not have delamination issues so I'd keep looking.Are dutchstar RVs good? I am just really worried that buying the older model will leave me stranded on the side of the road.. Are RV motors any different from cars? It has less than 50k on it.

New to Rv issues. Delamination? | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

mlts22
Explorer II
Nov 23, 2015
I'd keep on searching. There are many rigs out there for that price range without delamination, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

RVs are made for camping, not worry, and delamination is a good cause for concern... who knows what other issues are there (mold, for example.)
Gjac
Explorer III
Nov 20, 2015
Delamination under a window is an easier repair than a side wall delam because the window can be removed wedges inserted to dry the area and check for any rotted structure, and can be clamped after adhesive is applied. I would use it to negotiate a lower price if owner will not lower the price move on. If you want to repair these areas do a search under Gjac and delamination and you will see a detail description of what I did to repair mine. I would do a small area under the window repair any day but would not attempt a side wall repair again where I had to use the side of a building to apply pressure to the repair. Of course the older that I get the less repair I want to do.
jsmart
Explorer
Nov 19, 2015
Delamination has been likened to cancer in a RV. An older, well maintained unit with the right floorplan can be very reliable and last many years. Take your time, do your homework and research (the internet has tons of resources), and stay away from the delam issue. IMHO.
RVcircus
Explorer II
Nov 06, 2015
I'd walk away from the class c with delam especially at $18k. I'm not shy about tackling big projects, but it better be for the right price.
bsinmich
Explorer
Nov 06, 2015
You won't ever get delamination on a Newmar because their walls are not laminated to begin with. They are a top quality coach. Is this a gasser or DP? If it is a gasser it is probably on the older chassis that were originally for the 8' wide MHs. This is not a problem but some people will object to them. I had a Mountain Aire for 10 years and it was trouble free.
ncrowley
Explorer II
Nov 06, 2015
There are lots of used RVs out there. Run away front the one that has delimitation. If the other one is not what you want, just keep looking. Do not get into a hurry to purchase.
westend
Explorer
Nov 05, 2015
Delamination is a bear to fix. It doesn't matter if the engine in the Class A is that different than a car, they all need maintenance, and sometimes, repair. The best thing that could happen when buying a used motor vehicle is finding one with complete service records. You also need to know how to interpret those records.

A cursory inspection should cost less than $350. A complete inspection of all the systems, the RV structure, and the running gear may approach $350. You will still have the risk of something breaking. If you can't repair it, you'll need the service of a shop to fix it. If you're on the road, you could buy roadside assistance to eliminate stranding.
Fla904
Explorer
Nov 05, 2015
wildtoad wrote:
The net here is that delamination is the result of water intrusion at some point. Perhaps the leak has been fixed and it won't get worse. Perhaps not. Either way there are plenty of used units out there that do not have delamination issues so I'd keep looking.

Are dutchstar RVs good? I am just really worried that buying the older model will leave me stranded on the side of the road.. Are RV motors any different from cars? It has less than 50k on it.
wildtoad
Explorer II
Nov 05, 2015
The net here is that delamination is the result of water intrusion at some point. Perhaps the leak has been fixed and it won't get worse. Perhaps not. Either way there are plenty of used units out there that do not have delamination issues so I'd keep looking.
Fla904
Explorer
Nov 05, 2015
Wrong Lane wrote:
That is delamination on the passenger side under the bunk window. A leak there can mean rotted substructure under the window and in the floor of the bunk area. Very expensive to repair and it may never be like new again.

At over $19000 asking price you may be able to do better.

There are many guys on here that have undertaken repair projects like this and some did a good job. If you have experience in this type of repair it might be a good project vehicle if the price was about 1/2 of current asking.

Owning an RV is about getting out with family and friends and having fun. A $10,000 RV with ugly carpet might hurt the eyes but if it is solid and mechanically sound it might be just the ticket.

A friend of mine had the ugliest two tone green class C you could imagine. He and his family had so much fun in that thing, years later they still laugh about it. For them ugly was part of the fun.

By the way, what you heard about delamination is true, unless you are a super handy guy, avoid it at all costs! I would take old, ugly but in good condition all day long over newer with delam!

The thing is they wont even budge on the price. Its a consignment or something, think some lady in london is selling it and she left it with them to sell they wont go under 18k. Also called a RV mechanic to go over it and hes trying to charge 350.00!! thats outrageous to me... Has anyone here dealt with camping world RV sales? thats where the older model is at. What kind of issues come from delamination? What would happen if I just went over it with fiberglass sheets? How long till something serious happens to it? It doesnt sound like a serious problem to me.. then again I am not experienced, But a little wood rot in a tiny portion like that seems like a easy fix. cut out, re fiberglass, seal, and paint? No idea what I am talking about tho.