Over cab bed area external crack, Should I be concerned?

Reddog1 wrote:

Blanco1 wrote:
... I figure for the more bumpy roads they must help?

Without a doubt. Loosen the rear tie downs when on the bumpy roads, it will take some of the stress off of the cab over.

Wayne

I wonder if maybe I have the tie downs too tight or loose now?

& Yes from the start my plan was dirt roads in the desert & sand as in Pismo beach & glamis & why I got a 4x4 truck.

Yet have not gone yet.
Getting closer as I can afford it.

Got the 4 foot trailer extension in now & got my trailer & now I need to get a WDS for the trailer & then I'll start heading out to play.

I've had 3 campers over the years that experienced this, including a small crack on my current one. I caulked them and never had another problem. ... and NO water intrusion into the cabover section, etc. I too took (take) my camper on rough dirt roads (not 4x4 roads though) and the first time I experienced a crack in the cabover like yours was just after the first year of a brand new 1996 camper. No, it's not desirable and is a bit of a worry but you will know, other than tearing the entire cabover apart, if there is a problem in the future soon enough. The only concern I would have at this point is that after all these years it just now is appearing. No way to really know what is going on "under the skin." Just keep an eye on it. Yes, the struts help with the porpoising, but they are not load bearing. They help with the bounce and stress a bit too. Seal it, watch it and go camping!!! Well, at least that's what I did all these years! :)

Dak

Just like on all of us gravity takes its toll . Ive had campers that sagged like that in 3 years . look down the ribbed alum just above the cabover , from back to front , I bet the cabover has found a spot it likes down an inch or more and the alum siding wont go with it with out popping out or cracking . I doubt the cabover is loose , it just settled , you probably cant even notice is to bad from a profile , side view
If you really what to work at it you could pull the trim and the staples on the edges of the alum , reattach it in a more relaxed position and slid a small piece of alum behind the crack , with some caulking behind and pop rivet it together
A lot of newer campers and 5th wheels get stress cracks like that on the nose of the 5th overhang and around the corners of slideouts , and the fix is usually a small piece of flat white trim to cover it
But defiantly at least caulk it so you don't get a real big rot problem later

Blanco1 wrote:
... I figure for the more bumpy roads they must help?

Without a doubt. Loosen the rear tie downs when on the bumpy roads, it will take some of the stress off of the cab over.

Wayne

So those are you guys saying the stabilizers shocks would make things worse?
I plan more trips soon to the desert & pulling my 4x4 toys with me & this means more off road fire roads or whatever to get to our campgrounds.

I figure for the more bumpy roads they must help?

A little piece of EternaBond would be better than caulk because it is much more flexible. It will twist and turn with the flexing and not simply pull away like caulk.

Reddog1 wrote:

To drill a stop hole is of no value. The framing of the TC where the overhead connects to the main body of the TC is flexing. This is not unusual on older TCs. You have to keep in mind, the cab over is cantilevered.

Agree..sorta. While it wont do anything to solve or address problem, it 'may' stop the tear in sideing from continuing upward. Short of opening up, Id drill, then caulk, then watch.?

okan-star wrote:
Hate to say it but that and rippling of the aluminum along where the hoiz panels come together is usally because of a saggy cabover, just put some caulk over it and repeat, and keep camping

That is my take on it.

It will probably start a real fuss, but years ago the stabilizers were real popular. They fell out of favor because they put stress on the overhang due to the truck frame flexing. To reduce the truck frame flexing, transfers the torque to the TC.

To drill a stop hole is of no value. The framing of the TC where the overhead connects to the main body of the TC is flexing. This is not unusual on older TCs. You have to keep in mind, the cab over is cantilevered.

I have a small crack very similar on my TC in signature. I caulked it and haven't thought about sense. Until now! I think a good jolt on the road here or there can make things flex a little now and then. My camper overall is in very good shape and never had any water damage. It was kept inside most of its life. I just took a 3K trip and did not notice any new problems when we got home. If it goes another 16 years with just another crack that big. I will be more than happy! Now if it was brand new that would be a different case.

I would think if it is flexing enough to buckle and crack the skin, that there is a structural failure of some sort in the area.

The struts do nothing to hold up the cabover.