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fallsrider's avatar
fallsrider
Explorer
Dec 06, 2013

Aluminum Tear?

My DW notified me last night (after I was already in bed), that there is a crack above the entry door on our camper. She was out there yesterday playing with DS and noticed it. That didn't make sense to me since we have aluminum siding.

I'm an early riser, so I went out this morning with a flashlight and sure enough, this is what I found:



How does this happen? I would not have believed that aluminum siding would tear like that. It is above the hinge side of the door, and it is under the rolled up awning, so it is fairly weather protected, but I still need to do something about this. How do you repair an aluminum crack like that? Is there a white JB Weld? Not sure how to proceed.

There doesn't appear to be anything else showing signs of damage in that area, either on the inside or outside of the entry door wall.

Thanks.

16 Replies

  • That new "As Seen On TV" spray sealant comes in white or clear. It will seal the crack and will prevent the spread of the crack. At the top of the crack drill a small hole in the siding before spraying on the sealant. The hole will stop the crack. Use the sealant sparingly to make the repair look nice.

    Or just use a bead of white silicone sealant....
  • If I don't find any further issues tomorrow, I may drill a small hole at the end of the tear to try and stop it from going further. This works for plastic, I would also think it will work for aluminum? Then I can caulk it.
  • I had a 24' Coachmen with the same problem. It only went so far and after a couple of more years it didn't get any worse. I just sealed mine with a little latex caulk with mildew retardant. Seemed to work.
  • The frame/body of trailer may be flexing while towing. Any large hole in the body (doorway) is a weak point.
  • Trailer is a '95 Sunnybrook. Walls are framed with aluminum. I'll look more closely in the daylight tomorrow. Work gets in the way today. :R
  • I would like to venture a guess. The wood or metal framing under the metal is cracking also. Look over the door on the onside also. The frame is flexing enough to crack the wall in a narrow area, such as over the door. It appears to be cracking from the bottom up, so I would think it needs some jacks in the center when parked to take some of the weight.
    I do not know of a white JB weld.
    You didn't say the age of your rig, so is warranty a possibility?
    Just an opinion. Jim