I looked at a 2011 Cedar Creek Silverback 29rl today. One thing really bothered me, there is a crack in the shower surround. He said it cracked from the cold, I think you can't get a crack like this unless there is water involved. Am I correct? He is asking 25K for the camper, I think it isn't worth that, but I'd like the opinion of you that have had 5th wheel before.Here is a photo of the crack, it is pretty large.

He is absolutely correct. The crack was caused by extreme cold. My Springdale did the exact same thing. It is NOT because of water.In the extreme cold winter, the vinyl surround contracts, but the screw holes do not allow it move. Something has to eventually give, and the weakest point will break. The vinyl is not near as strong as the screw or the wall, so it literally shrinks until it can't shrink any more. Somewhere, something has to break.The mistake the manufacture made was to not drill a hole in the vinyl surround a bit larger than the screw, giving the surround a bit of "wiggle room". I never did fix mine, and it happened in the 3rd or 4th year of ownership of that camper. I simply ran a bead of clear silicon caulk over the rip and a bead inside the rip along the wall. Worked ok for another 4 years until we sold the trailer. I never had to re-caulk the seam, and it never ripped any more.So yes, your "guy" is correct. It IS because of extreme cold.My current Outback has plastic screw-snaps with "give" in them. The surround is not solidly affixed to the wall. It has give in it. So manufacturers started installing later models a little smarter.Edit: and if you notice in the photo, the crack starts at the screw hole along the top toward the next screw hole behind the shower head holder where it has less of a chance for contraction and expansion. Mine ripped very similar to yours there, along the top.

Yeah, it looks like it's from the low temperatures. Happens to the vinyl floors as well. Unless you see other signs of water damage, I wouldn't worry about it. I'd have them knock off a couple hundred bucks then fix it as mentioned above or buy a replacement.

Yes it is definitely from the cold -after last year's cold and this year is cold---- you'd be surprised what plastic does...I have seen vinyl floors crack also in winter in rigs.

That's nothing serious to worry about.

Question about crack in shower surround and buying used.

mike77leprechau
Explorer
Jul 08, 2015
I bought my 2002 Dutchmen with a cracked surround. I repaired it with JB weld then PAINTED over the repair with Krylon Fusion spray paint in white. It was barely noticeable and worked well for the time I had it (3years) sounds like with the price being that low off of retail
You could replace the surround and still be ahead too
just_me
Explorer
Jul 07, 2015
The crack was caused by a to tight bracket that holds the shower head. The surround was installed correctly but they did not leave any wiggle room, or elongated hole for the bracket.
Mine done the same think this year and looking it over this was what caused mine.
So just make the hole with a slot rather than making the screw tight. On my last trailer I had the same thing happen, and I used some crazy glue and it held. just line up the edges best you can.
HeyJude
Explorer
Jul 07, 2015
Parrothead Mike wrote:

The company that makes those surrounds for the shower is located in Michigan if you ever decide to get that unit and want to replace that surround.

Do you know the name of the company? I cannot figure out what size to buy, there is an apron you have to account for and I'm confused on the measurements.
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Apr 03, 2015
Ditto on all of the above responses.

If you decide to buy it I would seal it right away though. You don't want water to get behind it.

JB Water Weld is an amazing product. I used it to repair a crack around the shower drain. Which by the way mine cracked from storing too much stuff "in" the shower while traveling. Heavy stuff bouncing up and down. :(
HeyJude
Explorer
Apr 03, 2015
Parrothead Mike wrote:
I was looking at a 2012 same model (29rl) at Lazy Days RV down near Tampa in February and they were asking $30K for that one. I ended up with a new Silverback instead.

The company that makes those surrounds for the shower is located in Michigan if you ever decide to get that unit and want to replace that surround.

I did ask him if he would go down in price, he said he already did. I think the price is good for the unit, now if I can just get my husband on the same page. I really like the 5er, has the floorplan, windows, just about everything I love.
Parrothead_Mike
Explorer
Apr 03, 2015
I was looking at a 2012 same model (29rl) at Lazy Days RV down near Tampa in February and they were asking $30K for that one. I ended up with a new Silverback instead.

The company that makes those surrounds for the shower is located in Michigan if you ever decide to get that unit and want to replace that surround.
shadows4
Explorer III
Apr 03, 2015
Perhaps you could use the crack in the shower surround as a bargaining chip. But I checked NADA and around here low retail is 27,700. So I don't think the guy is to far off on his price. Good luck, John
Bipeflier
Explorer
Apr 03, 2015
Started by the cold but the actual cause is the assembly folks just driving screws through without pre-drilling the plastic.

A friend just fixed his by taking it out, scuff sanding the back side and applying a layer of fiberglass mat.

He went further and scuffed the inside and painted it with Fusion paint for plastics and you can not find the crack.
phillyg
Explorer II
Apr 02, 2015
That's nothing serious to worry about.
phillyg
Explorer II
Apr 02, 2015
That's nothing serious to worry about.