Community Forums

rhusak · 02-02-2015, 10:06 PM

Hi All..
Today while giving my baby a much needed bath at Lake Havasu after my drive down in ice and snow I saw for the first time crack radiating at the front lower corner (not quite the corner) out about 4 inches.. I would have expected a stress crack to come from a corner. It is on the drivers side slide at the forward lower corner.
I was shocked to see it..
Has anyone else experienced this. I am going to drill a hole at the leading edge of the crack to stop the stress and use a sealer in the crack and hole.. I hope that stops it.. I don't know what caused it and have never noted it starting before. And I watch for such stuff..
Don't know what the proper permanent repair would be.. In any case at least 3 colors and a rather large area to match. Can't understand what would cause that much stress..

Ron

Larnie · 02-03-2015, 06:07 AM

Ron. We have a 2008 42' Envoy and a crack has developed at the lower back corner of the drivers window radiating rearward. It is approximately 3" long and seems to have stopped at this point. Stop drilling sounds like a possible way of stopping it from cracking more. That method is used on airplanes all the time. Can you post a picture? I will next time I am at the coach. Thanks. Larnie.

rhusak · 02-03-2015, 10:08 AM

Hi All....
Hopefully the pictures uploaded..
Not even from the corner of the opening.. Not hit by anything.. What do you think?
Ron

La-Z-Boy · 02-03-2015, 01:50 PM

Ron,
Is it possible that at some time, (unknown to you) that something obstructed the travel of the slide? Maybe inside or internally? The reason I ask is because the slide motors are very strong and if mal adjusted, will just keep winding and pushing, until they reach the resistance setting that has been chosen.
The slide controllers have an adjustment dial on them, which sets a limit on the resistance that makes them stop (in or out)
Just a thought based on first glance at the pics.
Jeff

rhusak · 02-03-2015, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by La-Z-Boy

Ron,
Is it possible that at some time, (unknown to you) that something obstructed the travel of the slide? Maybe inside or internally? The reason I ask is because the slide motors are very strong and if mal adjusted, will just keep winding and pushing, until they reach the resistance setting that has been chosen.
The slide controllers have an adjustment dial on them, which sets a limit on the resistance that makes them stop (in or out)
Just a thought based on first glance at the pics.
Jeff

Jeff.. Maybe so.. It's never happened in the 3 years I have owned it. I would have noticed the crack long time ago.. I watch that kind of stuff closely..
Ron

jerryhawkins · 02-04-2015, 07:12 AM

Has your coach been cross braced?

rhusak · 02-04-2015, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerryhawkins

Has your coach been cross braced?

Jerry..
No it hasn't.. No windshield issues or any others.. Why would it take 11 years to exhibit itself?
Ron

DA_BUS · 02-04-2015, 07:49 PM

I can't tell - but it looks like this is the front of the back bedroom slide because it is up so high. If so - I think some of the coaches get x-bracing right in front of the back axle because this is a stress point. I have no idea if this assumption is true in your case OR if this area is subject to stress - but I think an x brace does get positioned in this area on the chassis on at least a tandem. A windshield problem maybe wouldn't be developed from the back part twisting. If this is up front. You probably will see some type of problem over time. My guess - with that much movement to cause a stress fracture - it may get worse. It is obvious this is not just a cosmetic trim piece cracking - but more of the wall structure moving, Did you go over a railroad crossing or something to cause a sudden twist movement? After time....just like our own bodies....the frame work starts to sag and is subject to weakening....anyway good luck. Is there any floor stress in side?

DA_BUS · 02-04-2015, 07:52 PM

Does the top part of the crack by the edge looked "pinched together" or is it spreading apart....that kind of tells were the pressure is coming from.

rhusak · 02-05-2015, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DA_BUS

Does the top part of the crack by the edge looked "pinched together" or is it spreading apart....that kind of tells were the pressure is coming from.

Nope.. It is definitely spread from the top..

PushedAround · 02-05-2015, 08:57 AM

Looks like the infamous Tiffin crack. I have the exact same thing in the exact same place on my Allegro RED. I put a bead of silicone in it to prevent any water damage, but it hasn't changed any in the last year so.....

rhusak · 02-05-2015, 04:38 PM

Hi All..
Well I talked with Paul today at Precision Paint about my crack.. He says they fix them all the time. But a repair to the area WILL NOT hold.. He said they use some sort of a urethane strip that is painted to match and isn't at all noticeable. He said a repair would
NOT hold. He said T/S didn't have enough strength in that area. It may well have occurred this time when I leveled when we got here..
Ron

dcphil_98 · 02-05-2015, 05:04 PM

2007 Alante Same problem. Stress crack beginning at the lower front of the DS bedroom slide. Noticed about four years ago when it was about 4 inches. Nothing happened until recently it has grown to about 8 inches. Looks like I may have a significant repair coming.

I might add that I have over 120K miles on it.

Dave

Clayobx · 02-05-2015, 05:16 PM

Tiffin uses the same repair. It's not uncommon and IMO this can be permantly repaired but would be costly. Slide removed West epoxies combined with Kevlar laminates and other materials. Like I said costly.