Crack in Fiberglass

Workshop · 10-11-2011, 04:11 PM

I posted a photo back in 2008 shortly after I purchased my 2001 Excel Limited. I was curious if others had this issue. It was somewhat a comfort that others have and a fix/adjustment was made on newer units. I could live with that and simply installed Dicor tape over the crack to protect the area. I had no problems for many years....

Now in 2011...I recently noticed that the crack has gotten longer. I would guess that I have less than 1800 miles on the Beast since I purchased it and would guess that it has gotten longer/worst in the last couple of tows.

2008 photo, the tape was removed to give full view of the crack.

2011 photo taken today...I noticed it when washing the unit after returning from a trip.

My question is....I know that someone had posted some photos of their repair at PI where the side had been removed during the repair for either this or a different repair. I'm interested in seeing how this section of wall was made and how it all fits together. I won't be taking the wall apart to make a repair like I did the main slide last year....getting to old and wisher....

If anyone has any photos of the bedroom slide or know where they are located...

Thanks in advance...

workhorse

Workshop · 10-11-2011, 04:44 PM

Life being what it is...as soon as I posted the question I found my prior thread on the subject and the photos I think I was looking for. They were posted by sidkaye and are a repair to his unit.

If anyone has other photos or links they would be welcomed....

Next time I will look two minutes longer.....

workhorse

rockintom · 10-12-2011, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Workshop

Life being what it is...as soon as I posted the question I found my prior thread on the subject and the photos I think I was looking for. They were posted by sidkaye and are a repair to his unit.

If anyone has other photos or links they would be welcomed....

Next time I will look two minutes longer.....

workhorse

work,

I thought you did the drilling the hole at the end of the crack to deter further spreading. That picture could have been my '05 FLR to a "T". But I didn't fix it....when something like that happens.....I just go and trade it in!!!! Git R Dun. That's funny....I don't care who you are!!!!

I do have to admit....with all my gee-gaws on our rig...it's a major deal to move into a new rig. Last one was 9 days at the dealer and that was just most of the basics swapped!!! I haven't heard from the dealer since! Yikes!

Hermandutchman · 10-13-2011, 06:43 AM

It took that long to move because of all the OP breaks!!!!

Workshop · 10-13-2011, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom

work,

I thought you did the drilling the hole at the end of the crack to deter further spreading.

No I didn't do that. I felt that because of the makeup of the side wall that it wouldn't make a difference. With a full thickeness of fiberglass or metal drilling a hole at the end of the crack is an acceptable practice. But since the thin gelcoat and fiberglass are bonded to a plywood panel backer, I feel it is the plywood that controls the direction of the crack travel.

Look at the two photos....there is one crack that is 'major' and one 'minor'. The second photo, recent, has the crack run from the 'minor' crack. This is the result of the flex/damage in the plywood and not the fiberglass. No amount of drilling would have solved that. I don't feel. Beside plywood doesn't crack in the same manner as fiberglass, it separates by plies and then gets ugly.

rockintom · 10-13-2011, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hermandutchman

It took that long to move because of all the OP breaks!!!!

Another great one liner!!! You are the best at those Herman, but I didn't touch a bottle OP while moving....I moved the cases with a 2 wheel dolly! And you believe that don't you?

Are we OT yet???

rockintom · 10-13-2011, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Workshop

No I didn't do that. I felt that because of the makeup of the side wall that it wouldn't make a difference. With a full thickeness of fiberglass or metal drilling a hole at the end of the crack is an acceptable practice. But since the thin gelcoat and fiberglass are bonded to a plywood panel backer, I feel it is the plywood that controls the direction of the crack travel.

I was thinking the same thing. I thought I remembered that's what you said originally. rockin'

MakinSmoke · 10-17-2011, 06:13 PM

Chris, it the crack at the lower left corner of the bedroom slide?

rockintom · 10-17-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakinSmoke

Chris, it the crack at the lower left corner of the bedroom slide?

Yeah.....Duh....

MakinSmoke · 10-17-2011, 08:18 PM

My TOP has a crack just above the UPPER right hand corner of the bedroom slide. I just discovered it yesterday. Anybody got a "fix" for that location?

rockintom · 10-17-2011, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakinSmoke

My TOP has a crack just above the UPPER right hand corner of the bedroom slide. I just discovered it yesterday. Anybody got a "fix" for that location?

OK has too much power.....that's the only thing that could cause that!!! With you Virg....we need a pic!!! We are patiently waiting!

rockin'

MakinSmoke · 10-17-2011, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom

OK has too much power.....that's the only thing that could cause that!!! With you Virg....we need a pic!!! We are patiently waiting!

rockin'

yeah yeah yeah I know. It ain't me, I know you

can't figure out what a crack in my top above the upper right hand corner of the bedroom slide looks like without a picture. I'll get you a picture tomorrow

. It'll be late, I've really been sleeping well lately. Must be all the exercise.

Workshop · 10-19-2011, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakinSmoke

Chris, it the crack at the lower left corner of the bedroom slide?

Smoke, the crack is on the lower left corner of the bedroom slide. From what I understand or assume...this is the most logical location. ???

Here is a photo of the crack with the patch removed. Thought it was interesting that the travel path of the crack changed.

Here is a photo of the cross section of a fiberglass panel that I ordered from PI several years ago. From working on the side wall last year, believe this is what makes up the walls on my 2001, don't know about current units.

With the fiberglass bonded to a ply backer, not sure what controlls the path of the crack once it starts. Do have a slight bumpout around the crack possibly caused by the separation of the glass and backer ply.

Not sure how I will deal with the crack yet. When it was small the tape was 'good' enough. With the larger crack...not sure how I will deal with it yet.

workhorse

MakinSmoke · 10-19-2011, 09:06 PM

Chris,
My first crack was at the same place. I took it to Smith Center to have them fix it and to replace the 2nd set of 4 slide out floor bottoms (am now into my 3rd year on the 3rd set of slide out bottoms!!!!) I am hopin' they got it right this time.

When they pulled the fiberglass off to replace it (and make a joint at that bottom left bedroom slide corner to keep it from breaking again) they found that the entire upper corner of the fifthwheel frame had rotted due to water leaks from (we assume) when they installed the bedroom AC. So in my case, fixing the corner also helped discover another leak we didn't know we had. Just sayin...

Now the new crack is in my TOP just above the upper right hand corner of the bedroom slide. It is about 8 inches. I have an appointment next Monday at Triam in Ocala to let them look at it. As my Dad used to say, if it ain't one thing, it's another. I promised RockheadTommie a picture and I'll get to it...soon.

As long as I was in warranty, I never worried but now, I worry a lot when I see cracks as I am not NEARLY as handy as you. Good luck my friend.