SoundGuy wrote:
Gdetrailer wrote:
... but Soundguys photos CAN BE CONSIDERED COMPLETELY NORMAL FOR FIBERGLASS LAMINATION.
It IS the "nature of the beast", sometimes the bond holds and sometimes the bond doesn't.. Fiberglass has a large expansion/contraction ratio..
Perhaps, but exposure to the environment must also have a lot to do with it. That delamination I had on our Spree was only on the curb side of the trailer which was exposed to the harsh sun all day, every day, while parked here at the house during the season while the street side which showed no signs of delamination at all was always sitting in shade. Our current Coachmen is now 5 yrs old and sits in the exact same location on the driveway yet shows no signs of delamination anywhere so I can only conclude it's due to improved bonding methods used to assemble it's sidewalls.
Different "versions" of Filon can make a difference in the expansion/contraction.
Filon is a brand name but in reality it is what is called "FRP" or Fiber Reinforced Panels. Polyester resins are extruded into a sheet which the fiberglass strands are rolled into the resin before it cures and hardens.
Different resins can be used and different thicknesses can be made from this process. Variations in thickness and or resins can alter the expansion/contraction ratio.
I have dealt with this on my TT which I resided using thicker 4x8 FRP panels sold in Home Depot. I glued AND screwed the FRP to the trailer sides.. The glue didn't hold up to the expansion/contraction ratio creating buckles at times depending the temps, but the screws are holding it fine to the trailer. Looks nearly wrinkle free at certain temps and other temps has lots of bulges.
It IS the nature of the beast, looks ugly when it happens, but not any indication of bad materials or workmanship and absolutely nothing worth taking to a lawyer about.
If you want a totally wrinkle free fiberglass side then you would have to buy a trailer built from a fiber glass shell and not thin (1/16") filon..
Delam due to water infiltration however is another can of worms..
