Is This What They Call 'Delamination'?

The fiberglass nose has come loose from the framing. Delamination is normally on the side walls where they are compressed into a sandwich.
The noses are normally just sheets of fiberglass wrapped around wood framework.
Would I buy this rig, No!

fitznj wrote:
I've had one "smooth-sided" TT and 3 aluminum sided TTs, The "smooth-sided" did look pretty and had some delamination issues within 3 years. The other 3 have had no exterior issues and if cleaned/maintained will look like new for many years - but they do look old-fashioned.

Old-fashioned!?!?

Mine looks RETRO!

WNYBob wrote:
I believe the industry has done us wrong, by offering this type of construction as a viable siding on a camper. Building a siding of a skin coat of "fiberglass" over thin sheet of plywood is not acceptable!

Well, the industry certainly could have done better !

Assuming the manufacturer is using a good quality skin and a good quality adhesive, I believe this type of construction is "acceptable" if there are no leaks ! Fiberglass skin on an aluminum tube and rigid foam frame is probably better but that type of construction costs more and does not work well for "rounded" applications.

Delamination on flat vertical surfaces usually looks like a bulge and will flex when you press on it.

There are better methods of construction, but they cost more ! Look at the boating industry. They have had issues with some coring materials, but if the core stays dry, everything works well. (Foam is not a panacea, especially in an area that is not self draining.)

That front cap is not the same construction as the sidewall on that model/year Keystone and the method is used by many manufacturers other than Keystone. Its a piece of filon glued to what is more or less cardboard. Those type of caps ripple like that mostly because of heat from the sun and humidity trapped in the air space behind them. Plenty of used rigs with that type of front on dealers lots will have the same waves, some worse than others.

DallasSteve wrote:

Hey, looks fine to me! :W

Our previous 2008 K-Z Spree delaminated on the curb side wall but only in a couple of specific areas, nothing like in this pic. Eventually we traded it in and it was sold almost immediately to someone else who I guess chose to ignore this delamination. Our current Coachmen has filon exterior walls over an aluminum frame and I haven't seen any signs of delamination with it so perhaps the process of assembling these walls is better now.

I've had one "smooth-sided" TT and 3 aluminum sided TTs, The "smooth-sided" did look pretty and had some delamination issues within 3 years. The other 3 have had no exterior issues and if cleaned/maintained will look like new for many years - but they do look old-fashioned.

Smooth sided laminate TT have been around for years and will continue to be the leading product. Some mentions work seem to work better than others.

Aluminum sided "stick and tin" is also not going away anytime soon.

Both are viable construction methods.

YES!

I believe the industry has done us wrong, by offering this type of construction as a viable siding on a camper. Building a siding od a skin coat of "fiberglass" over thin sheet of plywood is not acceptable! This is NOT a fiberglass exterior! Slight moisture or high humidity with a little stress will cause the skin to pop.
I wish I had enough money to start a class action suite against the industry, as my camper has been devalued at least $3,000 due to delamination!

End of rant!

Yes. Looks like those clearance lights are leaking.