Forum Discussion

cwitt22's avatar
cwitt22
Explorer
Jul 06, 2019

Fiberglass wall bubble

Looking at buying a used toy hauler. Only issue I noticed on the trailer is a bubble on the driver's side going between a window the tire on the fiberglass. Current seller is the second owner and says there's never been any leaks. Any way of knowing if this is water damage or bad adhesive from the factory?
  • 3_tons's avatar
    3_tons
    Explorer III
    cavie wrote:
    These problems are more related to no not enough glue that water intrusion. I have see whole sides loose and no water intrusion anywhere.


    Wishful thinking - JMO
  • cavie wrote:
    These problems are more related to no not enough glue that water intrusion. I have see whole sides loose and no water intrusion anywhere.

    Maybe (but probably not likely) !

    The problem is, until it is opened up, you won't know ! If it is a leak, and has been leaking for sometime, the cost of the repair could be huge ! The substrate is likely "organic" (luan plywood) which rots and mold when exposed to water.

    Worst case, peel of some/most/all of the fiberglass, replace the rotten plywood, replace the roof. $$,$$$ !
  • joelc's avatar
    joelc
    Explorer III
    Don't touch it. You will be fighting a lost cause, unless you rip the entire section out and rebuild it. NOT WORTH IT.
  • These problems are more related to no not enough glue that water intrusion. I have see whole sides loose and no water intrusion anywhere.
  • Sounds like "delamination", that is the outer fiberglass thin layer coming loose and unglued from the under layer. If that's what it is I would pass because of the potential for it to worsen and appear in other areas. It's not just a looks issue. We bought a used MH with delam and didn't notice it. My son got a kit and repaired a really bad area by a corner. So far the other small areas aren't worsening but I just wouldn't take the chance on one that it shows on.
  • +1. The owner may not know but it's a leaker. Delam at that point is from water intrusion. Only way I'd buy it is if the price is low ball. You will at some point, have to repair it.
  • Will be water seaping into the wall damage. Likely from a leaky seal from the window above.
    I would move on...