Community Forums

SC Carlos · 08-13-2020, 07:56 AM

On my 2007 Dutch Star several bolts on the strip just forward of the entry door have begun bulging out, possibly indicating broken bolts. It appears I will need to remove the cover strip to access and repair. Has anyone had a similar experience that can share the results? It seems the repair will leave a bad appearance.

Webz · 08-15-2020, 08:04 AM

Could you upload a couple of pictures to insure everybody is on the same page?

"007" · 08-15-2020, 12:50 PM

Welcome to the forum,SC.
This link has instructions for posting pictures or video plus many other items in your coach.
Some finish strips can snap off and than snap back on after bolts taken care of.

SC Carlos · 08-16-2020, 06:05 AM

Here are a few pictures.

Webz · 08-16-2020, 07:27 AM

Have not ran across that issue. But I'm sure someone here has seen this and repaired it. That is why this is such a great forum. Repair ideas will be forth coming soon I'm sure.

Ljwt330 · 08-16-2020, 08:09 AM

When I first saw your post, I could not mentally picture your issue but had some suspicions. With the pictures you posted, however, I will venture a guess.

Those bulges seem to be due to rust/corrosion rather than bolts or screws working loose. The last picture is not clear enough to see detail, but that one does appear to have a much larger bulge. It does not seem likely that simple vibration could cause a bolt/screw to work itself out and push on the trim to cause the bulges you see. Loosen, definitely, but to exert enough force to distort the trim makes me think there is significant pressure behind this, like expanding metal due to rust.

Regardless if my guess is correct, the repair will be the same. You will need to remove the trim strip to make the repairs. Once removed, you should be able to clearly tell what is going on. Don't have a Dutch Star so I can't advise on how difficult removal may be. If the trim is full length, you may wish to cut out only a small section and leave a small seam that you later calk.

rvbiker45 · 08-16-2020, 07:57 PM

I have the same separation in the stripping that runs up the seam. There is NO rust. The mounting screws that attach the strip that holds the finishing strip have broken and pulled out of the frame in that area.

I talked to an RV repair service person and he suggested leaving it alone and caulk it to close up the gap. He said the removal of the finishing strip would require painting and caulking beyond what he thought was worth tackling. Just his opinion.

I pulled the finishing strip out far enough to run a couple of long screws into the metal frame and it did not hold. Why the original separation, I surely do not have a clue. The driver's side is fine.

I have not taken it to a body shop for their opinion, but obviously something is not right at that strip. I will be monitoring this posting to watch for other's opinions.

JMH · 08-16-2020, 10:05 PM

Odd but I have a similar problem with my 2019 Ventana. At Newmar now for repair. You might want to send them photos and see what they think. Out of warranty but you never know if they might make it right.

SC Carlos · 08-17-2020, 05:17 AM

Here’s the response I received from Newmar:

It appears that the sidewall panel is starting to pull away at the seam. Unfortunately you would need to remove the vinyl seam cover to get a better look at it. A shop would cut the remaining silicone along the edges of the vinyl cover and then pull it off. Without pulling off the cover, I am only guessing at what the issue is but, I’m thinking some moisture has gotten inside and caused the sidewall panel glue to loosen, which in turn would then cause the screws to push out. If that’s the case, that whole seam would need opened up, scrape the old glue off, put new glue down, clamp and screw and, let set for 24 hours. Then the vinyl strip can be re-applied and re-painted/re-caulked. I would only recommend a service center do this type of repair.