Delamination

RV Industry generally puts out cheaply constructed products excluding some like AIRSTEAM. That's one of the reasons I don't like laminated plastic/fiberglass on an RV unless screwed or mechanically fastened . The constant heat /cold/ humidity and vibration eventually loosens the glue and you will get separation. A Matter of time I prefer the alum. siding for that reason. Aluminum is not without its problems but easily repaired and doesn't delaminate.

FrankShore wrote:
Sidecar, I disagree!

Lance doesn't produce in bulk and any camper made pre 2009, well...

I guess that would depend on your definition of bulk. Perhaps they're not built in the large numbers such as the Thor/Forest River brands or others push out the door, but they're hardly built one at a time on a custom basis. They're also not immune to some of the same build issues as all the others. A quick web search tells you that, and there is a thread going on here right now about rotten slideouts on Lance trailers. Not knocking them but they're not perfect. Do you get some value from the higher price, yes. How much value depends on a lot of personal opinion.

The gentleman I ran into at a campground entrance who flooded his less than 1 yr old Lance TT when he was filling the freshwater, was not too happy with them for leaving the clamps loose on the fill tube.

Sidecar, I disagree!

Lance doesn't produce in bulk and any camper made pre 2009, well...

rbpru wrote:
If by built wrong you mean errors in assembly or design you are correct.

That is exactly what I mean.

rbpru wrote:
Built to a price point means, do not expect your Chevy or Ford to be the equal of a Ferrari.

I don't. But the Chevy should be properly assembled.

Even the Chinese are figuring out how to do quality control--witness the improvement in the Chinese inverter generators. The RV industry is way behind the curve.

Well, at some point leaks happen. Airstream has a plywood floor. We bought a brand new 2004 28 safari. Trapped moisture, soft floors by 2008. Its all metal and no slides for me. Assembly is important, but material choice is just as important.

drsteve wrote:
As for the OP's unit... Water intrusion after only two years suggests that, unless there was physical damage to the unit, the cause may have been improper sealing at the factory. Especially if the dealer mentioned it as a known issue.

The OP never said anything about water intrusion, only that his 2 yr old trailer had delaminated, saying that "someone" at his dealership claimed this was a "known issue". Who knows how accurate this may be, nor what actually caused the delamination, because without actually pulling the wall entirely off the trailer there is no way to know for sure. I've been there myself with my own K-Z Spree and never did identify the true cause as the better option was to trade it in.

SoundGuy wrote:

drsteve wrote:
There's a difference between "built to a price point" and "built wrong".

You don't know that ... all we have is the OP's one sided claim that this delamination was a "known issue", based on comments from his dealer. I owned a delaminated K-Z Spree myself, certainly wasn't happy about it, but without tearing the wall apart who's say for sure whether the source cause of the issue was improper assembly or later water intrusion? A one sided claim, with no ability for the manufacturer to respond, means nothing other than to illustrate the OP's frustration, not whether the unit in question was "built to a price point" or "built wrong". :R

My response was to the general statement that all RVs are built to a price point, which is of course true. Plenty of RVs are sent to the dealer with build flaws ranging from minor to serious, which is also true. I think most of us know there's a tradeoff when we choose, say, a Keystone product over an Airstream. But asking that the manufacturer assemble them correctly is not unreasonable, IMHO.

As for the OP's unit... Water intrusion after only two years suggests that, unless there was physical damage to the unit, the cause may have been improper sealing at the factory. Especially if the dealer mentioned it as a known issue.

We decided traditional rv construction was ripe for failure. Bought a ATC 28 front bedroom with built in 5.5 onan and converted the garage into a living room.

All metal, no slides. All for under 50k. So far no surprises..

At least they don't have the coveted 'Amish Craftsmen' building them, at least I don't think they do. Could have Mexicans instead....lol

When my friend became a Lance dealer he had to train at their facility in Ca. It is mostly Mexican.

If by built wrong you mean errors in assembly or design you are correct. If you mean not built as strong as it could be, that is not the same thing.

Built to a price point means, do not expect your Chevy or Ford to be the equal of a Ferrari.

I watched a show on those Tiny houses. Solid 2x4, 2x6 and even 4x4 construction. Multi-pane casement windows, solid wood doors, a genuine wood roof, real cedar siding and etc. It was a true home on wheels; starting at $60,000.00 with less room than an 18 ft. TT and towable with a 1 ton pickup.

That is not what the TT market wants or is willing to pay for.

I have often shook my head when working on my TT, asking why didn't they use two screws instead of one, or why didn't they put more bracing in that area?

It always comes back too, the market will not pay for it. It is a hobby not a necessity. People may want it but they will not pay for it.