Community Forums

annphilrv · 09-11-2010, 05:28 PM

I have developed an approximately 12" long crack on the lower front corner of bedroom slide. It goes from slide to half-way into closet & outside. The lower steel structure appears to have no cracks. It seems to be in vacuum bonded sidewall. Crack grows when driving on rough roads (interstates). I have an air kingpin box & air ride suspension. I need to know what is the structural fix for this problem before I have to open it up.

Ray,IN · 09-11-2010, 07:42 PM

I have a structural crack in a sidewall just above a slideout. No local RV repair facility will even offer an estimate because it must be opened up to judge the root cause and extent of damage. All said cracks in a laminated wall do not just appear, they must have a root cause. I contacted the factory, they gave me an estimate on what they could see in the emailed pictures, and stated on the estimate that once they had the area opened up they could judge further repairs.
Bottom line_ you cannot anticipate/judge what you cannot see.

RVhauler · 09-11-2010, 11:07 PM

as a immediate temporary measure to prevent the crack from spreading drill a small hole just slightly past the end of the crack. This will allow the crack to proceed only as far as the hole as the stress will be evenly spread out by the hole. This is called stress relieving in aviation maintainance and is widely used. Does not solve the orginal problem but but can prevent further damage.

TXiceman · 09-12-2010, 08:20 AM

You want to drill the hole right on the very end of the crack..not past it to hopefully stop it from progressing.

The crack of that size is definitely a structural problem. You will need to pull the outer snin from the trailer around the pin box and inspect the pin box area. You will probably want to get a professional to do a liquid dye penetrate test on the welds around the pin box. It there are no cracks or broken welds, you need to have a certified welded add some additional bracing to the area. There should be very little movement it the frame was properly designed.

You need to check to see if you have a Lippert frame and see if you can get any help from them or the TV manufacturer.

Ken