Should I Throw In the Towel?

[Kampfirekid]

Been camping for a lifetime, but over 25 years as a husband and father. In the last 25 years, we’ve owned two pop-ups, one hybrid, and three travel trailers. Out of the hybrid and three trailers, three units were major problems. This latest trailer just purchased late last summer is the latest to push me over the edge.

Last Friday, we headed out for the holiday weekend. That evening, I noticed brown water leaching out from under the H-channels between the ceiling panels. Then, I noticed the skylight had water droplets hanging between the interior liner and exterior skylight. The perimeter of the interior skylight frame was also leaching brown water around its trim. Then, the wall to ceiling joint along the slide side of the trailer exhibited the same stained water. I immediately grabbed a screwdriver and pulled the interior skylight liner.

Well, it wasn’t a second to see the curb around the skylight was soaked, and then, to my horror, I pulled down on the ceiling panel to find the luan panels soaked and beaded with water, as well as the batt insulation soaked like a sponge up 2-1/2” above the ceiling.

When we got home to a ladder, I found the exterior skylight mounting flange cracked from almost every point the fasteners are installed to hold the skylight down, and other locations along the curb flange. Then, in at least eight locations, the cracks started to continue up the vertical plexiglas , but never make it to the top crease or the top of the skylight. This is not due to hail, or hitting something, but it appears someone got trigger happy with the screw gun at the factory. In addition, I walked the roof, and above the water-logged insulation, the roof deck is telegraphing the OSB plywood delaminating right through the rubber roofing.

I notified the dealer. Now I need to take it back for them to look at. They said, “We’ll, this is common, so we’ll replace the dome”. What about the sagging ceiling? The water-logged insulation? The delaminating OSB plywood roof decking? And what about black mold?

They said they don’t know if they can dry it out. They say they can’t do ceiling or roofing work. I’m about done. I really don’t want the darn thing after repairs because the only way to dry it out is to open it up fully where it’s been wet. How can I be guaranteed the factory would even dry it out and not reuse the materials? The slide started binding snd making noise. I think the water saturated the header, and started swelling. Who knows.

Should I just get it pseudo-repaired by the dealer or factory, s as bd take it in the shorts and dump it? My daughter is severely allergic, so I am concerned with mold.. snd black mold is not good for anyone.

Help! Thoughts?

[kellem]

There all junk, you simply examine you're tolerance level with each unit.

[wanderingaimles]

trail-explorer wrote:
Good to know that KZ uses OSB for the roof deck. That's a pretty low budget build, which means I will cross them off my list.

I know they use T&G plywood for their floors, not sure about roof, but I thought it was 3/8 ply.
connect

[trail-explorer]

Good to know that KZ uses OSB for the roof deck. That's a pretty low budget build, which means I will cross them off my list.

[Kampfirekid]

Lantley wrote:
"three trailers, three units were major problems. This latest trailer just purchased late last summer is the latest to push me over the edge."

Your doing something wrong!
Either your doing very poor PDI when you first get your trailers.
Your not keeping up with regular maintenance. You are not being obesrvant enough to catch/discover small issues before they become major problems.
Your latest issue is an example. It is common for skylights to leak in all models however the leak does not have to lead to a totally soaked ceiling!
RV's are in constant flux. You must be observant and aware at all times as you use your RV.
Pay attention to all the liitle squeaks and noises. If it seams weird investigate further. Notice a wet spot, find out why? Hear an odd sound,find out why? It is an on going battle, but you can win. You just need to be diligant aware and observant.
As to your current problem unless you have the skills to DIY you are at the mercy of your dealer and manufacturer. Executing the warranty is full of pitfalls

Well fella, when you don’t know the reason why I’ve had trailer issues, you really shouldn’t assume (you know what that means) that everyone is ignorant and stupid in buying, operating, or maintaining their RV of trailer JUST because they have a history of more than one bad rig.

I didn't sign up for this rodeo last week or last year. Ive done more trailer repairs than most, and when I can’t reasonably take care of it under warranty or out of warranty, THEN I get a bit testy. You see, the first bad rig had the frame sag 4 inches in 8 feet off the rear a year after we bought it. Not quite a maintenance or PDI issue. The second trailer had the slide removed after the floor rotted out of it in the first year. The rubber roofing was not terminated under the flashing, and back then, no rain drip edges were on the exterior wall above the slide. When the pulled the slide out, they laid it on its exterior face and drug it across the shop floor gouging vertical scratches all the way up the wall face. THAT was 1/50th of the issues the FACTORY created during the warranty repairs. Now on the third, I just walked the roof two weeks before. No issues. In fact, we haven’t had rain in our area this spring or summer to measure in inches.

So, if I you find how any of these are maintenance or PDI issues, please, let me know. Do you walk the roof on your fiver daily or four times a week? I can’t imagine much change in a trailer in the typical two week span I walk the trailer and roof checking for leaks, caulk issues, or cracks… while it sits in the driveway. Now, after storms, or other possible damage creating events, I’d expect to be more diligent.

[Lantley]

"three trailers, three units were major problems. This latest trailer just purchased late last summer is the latest to push me over the edge."

Your doing something wrong!
Either your doing very poor PDI when you first get your trailers.
Your not keeping up with regular maintenance. You are not being obesrvant enough to catch/discover small issues before they become major problems.
Your latest issue is an example. It is common for skylights to leak in all models however the leak does not have to lead to a totally soaked ceiling!
RV's are in constant flux. You must be observant and aware at all times as you use your RV.
Pay attention to all the liitle squeaks and noises. If it seams weird investigate further. Notice a wet spot, find out why? Hear an odd sound,find out why? It is an on going battle, but you can win. You just need to be diligant aware and observant.
As to your current problem unless you have the skills to DIY you are at the mercy of your dealer and manufacturer. Executing the warranty is full of pitfalls

[wowens79]

I feel your pain, we had a popup for 9 years, and it was trouble free. We bought a travel trailer 5 years ago, and it is constantly something. I don't mind the screws that vibrate loose. But the crappy foam laminate floor has soft spots, the plastic fenders broke from waving in the wind they are so flimsy. The motor in the awning lasted 3 years. The luan in the dinnette was so thin that my daughters knee went through it.

We are wanting to move to a 5th wheel couples trailer since I'll have both kids in college in the fall, and we want to buy something nicer than what we have, but reading forums, I just can't find a brand that really gives me confidence.
I've had 3 boats in my lifetime, and all of them were built better than my TT. I'm about ready to punt on the camper, and get another boat.

[jdc1]

I wouldn't keep it under any circumstance.

[MarkTwain]

Kampfirekid wrote:
Been camping for a lifetime, but over 25 years as a husband and father. In the last 25 years, we’ve owned two pop-ups, one hybrid, and three travel trailers. Out of the hybrid and three trailers, three units were major problems. This latest trailer just purchased late last summer is the latest to push me over the edge.

Last Friday, we headed out for the holiday weekend. That evening, I noticed brown water leaching out from under the H-channels between the ceiling panels. Then, I noticed the skylight had water droplets hanging between the interior liner and exterior skylight. The perimeter of the interior skylight frame was also leaching brown water around its trim. Then, the wall to ceiling joint along the slide side of the trailer exhibited the same stained water. I immediately grabbed a screwdriver and pulled the interior skylight liner.

Well, it wasn’t a second to see the curb around the skylight was soaked, and then, to my horror, I pulled down on the ceiling panel to find the luan panels soaked and beaded with water, as well as the batt insulation soaked like a sponge up 2-1/2” above the ceiling.

When we got home to a ladder, I found the exterior skylight mounting flange cracked from almost every point the fasteners are installed to hold the skylight down, and other locations along the curb flange. Then, in at least eight locations, the cracks started to continue up the vertical plexiglas , but never make it to the top crease or the top of the skylight. This is not due to hail, or hitting something, but it appears someone got trigger happy with the screw gun at the factory. In addition, I walked the roof, and above the water-logged insulation, the roof deck is telegraphing the OSB plywood delaminating right through the rubber roofing.

I notified the dealer. Now I need to take it back for them to look at. They said, “We’ll, this is common, so we’ll replace the dome”. What about the sagging ceiling? The water-logged insulation? The delaminating OSB plywood roof decking? And what about black mold?

They said they don’t know if they can dry it out. They say they can’t do ceiling or roofing work. I’m about done. I really don’t want the darn thing after repairs because the only way to dry it out is to open it up fully where it’s been wet. How can I be guaranteed the factory would even dry it out and not reuse the materials? The slide started binding snd making noise. I think the water saturated the header, and started swelling. Who knows.

Should I just get it pseudo-repaired by the dealer or factory, s as bd take it in the shorts and dump it? My daughter is severely allergic, so I am concerned with mold.. snd black mold is not good for anyone.

Help! Thoughts?

I would suggest you contact customer service with the manufacture of the trailer for additional help.

[ford_truck_guy]

I had a KZ and they were awesome to work with !

I would let the dealer look at it, but tell them you want to be notified BEFORE anything is repaired.

Call the factory and ask for either Paulette Fanning, or Bob Carter they were the 2 in charge of warranty... BOTH were AWESOME to deal with.. If they are unable to assist, they will find someone who can

Paulette Fanning
Team 1 – {5TH Wheels only}
KZ Parts Rep.
Product Lines:
Durango 1500, Durango 2500, Durango Sport,
Durango Gold, Sidewinder, & Venom –
Phone: 877-768-2015 - Option #2
Fax: 260-768-7629
Email: pfanning@kz-rv.com


Robert Carter- rcarter@kz-rv.com

[valhalla360]

Insurance is likely to call it a maintenance issue or a manufacturer defect unless you can point to an accident or other sudden incident that caused the damage.

It's the warranty that might help. If it's bad enough, they might total it rather than repair but you have an uphill battle.

[wanderingaimles]

K-Z is one of the brands with better than average customer service reviews. And one with a 2 year warranty. It's time to warm up their phone lines.

[wildtoad]

Is the unit still under warranty? Perhaps you could get a factory rep on the phone. May do squat but phone calls are free.

[Kampfirekid]

rexlion wrote:
Check your insurance policy or ask your agent, to see if this is covered. They might total the trailer... and good riddance.

If you could be happy with a smaller trailer, I'd recommend looking at the Oliver, Scamp, and Casita as possibilities (all are sold factory direct and have bodies made of molded fiberglass, so they can't get waterlogged like that).

Excellent recommendation on insurance. Thank you!
Already looked up Oliver. Very nice, but price tag is too. Might be worth the peace of mind. Thank you!

[rexlion]

Check your insurance policy or ask your agent, to see if this is covered. They might total the trailer... and good riddance.

If you could be happy with a smaller trailer, I'd recommend looking at the Oliver, Scamp, and Casita as possibilities (all are sold factory direct and have bodies made of molded fiberglass, so they can't get waterlogged like that).