Hi everyone, first post. I am looking at purchasing a 2008 KZ Sportsmen 280RL from a good family friend. They used it to go to Texas every winter and spend 3-4 months living in, and then it was stored the rest of the year. The interior is in excellent condition, and it has been regularly serviced and maintained. My question is in regards to the front fiberglass - it has some delamination/bubbling in the front panel. The owner said it just happened over time and the camper has never leaked (the bubbles look to be in the middle of the panel, and there's no windows on the front, so I'm inclined to believe him that it isn't a water intrusion issue but maybe more of a failed glue issue). How big of a deal is this on the front, if there are no leaks? Can it be left, or does it need to be repaired? My dad looked the camper over top to bottom and said it looked great, but he's not an RV expert as much as just a generally mechanically inclined person, as I am. It has been looked at by an RV shop for mechanicals, and all is perfect. New axle bearings, slide lubed, and other miscellaneous things. Basically, I'd like to get some feedback on the front delamination issue, and overall thoughts on the camper. I can get this for $8,000, which seems to be quite a bit lower than most used TT of its size and age I've found. And I know the original owners, and I know it's been maintained. I tried to attach some pictures to help show the delamination and overall condition of the camper. Thanks in advance for any help!

No doubt about the delam...but, I'm thinking that it did or still does leak. Looking at the picture, my bet is that the amber running light is leaking into the wall.Nice looking rig, and I really like the rear lounge floor plan...but...

After looking at it more, I'm inclined to agree with you that the culprit might be the running light as well. You can make out a trail the water would have run down. Let me ask you this then - if I seal everything up well around all the lights,windows, seals, etc...will the fiberglass be OK for a few years? Or am I definitely going to have to replace it? I guess one perk I see is that it does have an aluminum frame, so no wood to rot.

There is no predicting when or if any unit will leak. Delams do not help of course.Some people fret over cosmetics and the potential for problems, other just assume it is normal wear and tear and will fix it when and if it breaks.It also makes a difference if you are camping in a hot dry dessert environment with little or no rain or a more temperate climate.

rbpru wrote:There is no predicting when or if any unit will leak. Delams do not help of course.Some people fret over cosmetics and the potential for problems, other just assume it is normal wear and tear and will fix it when and if it breaks.It also makes a difference if you are camping in a hot dry dessert environment with little or no rain or a more temperate climate.X2... I'm not one who frets. I would assess if it is water intrusion and if so fix the leak and monitor it. If it is more cosmetic, I would again check it often for structural integrity. I know some who've enjoyed many years of good use as long as water intrusion was stopped. Keep in mind I live in a warm/wet climate. I have no idea how cold would affect the situation.

Potential TT Purchase | Good Sam Community

Anmacc2
Explorer
Aug 19, 2015
rbpru wrote:
There is no predicting when or if any unit will leak. Delams do not help of course.

Some people fret over cosmetics and the potential for problems, other just assume it is normal wear and tear and will fix it when and if it breaks.

It also makes a difference if you are camping in a hot dry dessert environment with little or no rain or a more temperate climate.

X2... I'm not one who frets. I would assess if it is water intrusion and if so fix the leak and monitor it. If it is more cosmetic, I would again check it often for structural integrity. I know some who've enjoyed many years of good use as long as water intrusion was stopped. Keep in mind I live in a warm/wet climate. I have no idea how cold would affect the situation.
rbpru
Explorer II
Aug 19, 2015
There is no predicting when or if any unit will leak. Delams do not help of course.

Some people fret over cosmetics and the potential for problems, other just assume it is normal wear and tear and will fix it when and if it breaks.

It also makes a difference if you are camping in a hot dry dessert environment with little or no rain or a more temperate climate.
pb65stang
Explorer
Aug 19, 2015
After looking at it more, I'm inclined to agree with you that the culprit might be the running light as well. You can make out a trail the water would have run down.

Let me ask you this then - if I seal everything up well around all the lights,windows, seals, etc...will the fiberglass be OK for a few years? Or am I definitely going to have to replace it? I guess one perk I see is that it does have an aluminum frame, so no wood to rot.
downtheroad
Explorer
Aug 19, 2015
No doubt about the delam...but, I'm thinking that it did or still does leak. Looking at the picture, my bet is that the amber running light is leaking into the wall.

Nice looking rig, and I really like the rear lounge floor plan...but...
pb65stang
Explorer
Aug 19, 2015

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