How hard to replace siding on 2 year old trailer?

[bbells]

2015 Heartland North Trail. Even though a couple years ago I resealed all the windows and every possible place water can get in, one side of my trailer's siding is delaminating just about everywhere. There is no sign of water damage - I checked when I took the windows out, etc. IMHO, the delamination was caused by my areas very warm days in the sunshine and extremely cold nights. The bubbles only expand in the winter. The problem side gets direct sunlight in the morning, shade in the afternoon and evening.

2 questions:
1) How hard is it to remove all the fiberglass or filon? siding and replace it? I imagine a lot of the plywood underneath would come off and need to be replaced, too.
2) Has anyone just covered delaminated filon or fiberglass with screwed on aluminum trailer siding? It seems pretty easy to work with and could be a quick and efficient fix. Do an shops do this?

Even though it is only a couple years old, it seems to me the $10,000 dealers want to replace the filon or fiberglass on one side is more than I am willing to put into the trailer. Plus, even if I did I am sure the other side that currently has no delamination would start separating soon. Any constructive comments will be appreciated. Thanks!

[SoundGuy]

SidecarFlip wrote:
I bet both of you have water damage UNDER the siding. Filon don't delam for no reason.

bbells wrote:
I wish it was that easy. There was no sign of any water damage when I took the windows off, on the inside or on the outside. And the luan when I shoved a tiny camera down by the window showed it was separating from the siding, but none of the rotting stuff that water causes. Plus, the entire trailer was caulked and sealed a few months after I got it (windows removed, sealed, etc). The bubbles only expand in the winter. I have a hard time believing water damage with no sign of water damage could have this big effect starting at 6 months and in just 2 years.But, it could be invisible water damage. But, if it can do this with no sign it would have to be a mfr defect.

BTDT myself and wouldn't agree this is necessarily because of water damage. My own 2008 K-Z Spree 240BH-LX which we purchased new began to delaminate on the curb side about 3 years into ownership for no apparent reason. Careful inspection showed absolutely no signs of water leakage anywhere yet the curb side wall would crease outward in several locations, the hotter it was the worse it looked and in cold weather was hardly noticeable at all.











This was on the side that took the full brunt of the summer sun while the trailer was parked here at the house, the street side which was in shade all the time never delaminated at all. My conclusion was the adhesive inside the wall just let go and there was nothing I could do about it as I wasn't going to dump $1000s into repair that may or may not make it look any better. We eventually sold the trailer several years later, not because of the delamination, but because we no longer required a trailer with bunk beds. JMO, but I'd suggest you just enjoy camping with your trailer as it is and not worry about this delaminnation, particularly if you're convinced it's not a water intrusion issue.

[travelnman]

I meet a couple who had this problem only still under warranty but the manufacturer kept putting them off changing dates for the repair etc. It was a brand new TT. Don't remember the name of the manufacturer but they were really upset that their hirty thousand dollar RV would do this sort of takes the wind out of your sails. Aluminum does not do this but if you get into hail your
RV looks like a target for gun practice. Don't know a solution for this but its a problem everyone wants an answer to. Insurance did cover it for us the entire front and one side was replaced looked really good when done, maybe they should stick to aluminum its not to hard to repair or replace.

[westend]

Since you're in central MN, you know how cold it gets and that water expands in the cold. Not saying you absolutely have water under the siding but something is a cause of your glue bond failing. It could be a faulty mfg process. The pinch roller or vacuum bonding technology for RV filon exteriors is not mature through every Mfg.
Regardless, if it was mine, I'd be lining up the things I need to do to get some adhesive behind the filon and how I was going to clamp/brace everything to improve the situation. I've seen where some that repair these exteriors park them alongside a garage or building and use lumber to brace against the building walls. There are certain ways to inject the new adhesive and this company seems well regarded: US Composites

[bbells]

SidecarFlip wrote:
I bet both of you have water damage UNDER the siding. Filon don't delam for no reason.

I wish it was that easy. There was no sign of any water damage when I took the windows off, on the inside or on the outside. And the luan when I shoved a tiny camera down by the window showed it was separating from the siding, but none of the rotting stuff that water causes. Plus, the entire trailer was caulked and sealed a few months after I got it (windows removed, sealed, etc). The bubbles only expand in the winter. I have a hard time believing water damage with no sign of water damage could have this big effect starting at 6 months and in just 2 years.But, it could be invisible water damage. But, if it can do this with no sign it would have to be a mfr defect.

[SidecarFlip]

I bet both of you have water damage UNDER the siding. Filon don't delam for no reason.

[badsix]

heres my 2 cents, I have an older Fleetwood with the 14' slide the trailer is in perfect condition, very seldom used and store in a heated shop most of its life. my problem is the siding on the slide, its lose down both sides and other areas. I see absolutely no water damage anywhere. i'm going to pull the filon off this spring when it warms up. I talked to an rv repair shop here localy about getting the siding off. he said pull the windows and storage covers and it will probably fall off. I don't think it will be that easy but he seemed to think its not that big of a job. he said most likely no water damage but just the glue losing its grip. I could use it like it is but it bother me i'm kin of a nitpicker. I've been in the auto restoration business for over 40 years so I don't see this as being to difficult. if it bothers you and your handy with tools you might consider fixing it. the hardest part I can see would be handling the siding without breaking it. i'm only dealing with 14' i'm going to rig up a lifting apparatus in my storage area to lift and hold the siding from the top in 5 or 6 places with clamps.
Jay D.

[goducks10]

Almost sounds like a bad glue job. Sucks. Biggest concern for any fiberglass sided RV owner. OT a little but thats one thing that makes Cedar Creeks intriguing. The walls are hung on the aluminum stud using Sikaflex.

[bbells]

Thanks guys! Unfortunate, but about what I expected to hear.

[SoundGuy]

westend wrote:
It is a monumental job to replace a filon exterior wall.

For an owner trying to do a DIY, yes - but my own dealer has done several and I've seen one of these repairs myself, up close & personal. Repair involves removing the entire sidewall from the trailer and installing a new replacement ... pretty impressive on a 30' trailer BUT not so daunting for techs who know what they're doing. 😉 That said, no way I'd pay for a repair like this and would only have it done if it was covered under warranty ... otherwise just use the trailer and try to not let the delamination bother you. 😉

[pianotuna]

Often a total rebuild situation.

[westend]

It is a monumental job to replace a filon exterior wall. The filon is glued to a substrate, the substrate to the frame. The process leaves an adhesive bond that is very strong.
If you only have delamination in a few areas, a repair is possible but may not be a permanent cure. The repair process involves insertion of an epoxy underneath the exterior filon and bracing until the adhesive cures. Some have had good luck with this repair process.
If you have delamination, I would suggest to check for leaks using the "pressurized interior" test. Seal Tech is one commercial company that does the test or you can do it yourself with a blower. The pressure test turns up even pinhole leaks.
Good luck with the repair!

[bbells]

Thank you goducks10. My sentiments exactly. I don't think there is anything for aluminum siding to grip, so I am sure that is out. I wish I could find some water damage so I know what the deal is, but I can't find any.

[goducks10]

The filon is glued to a 1/8" piece of Luan plywood. That is then glued to the wall structure which consists of aluminum studs and Styrofoam. The whole wall structure is then run through a vacuum seal or pinched rolled.
It's a daunting task for the home owner. I doubt it's even doable by 95% of the dealers in the country. Most times the unit is sent back to the MFG.
My thoughts are is live with it or possibly see if your ins company can help.
Best case scenario is wait until the next hurricane season arrives, tow it there and leave it.