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12-20-2017, 12:20 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: So Cal
Posts: 650
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Fiberglass roof cracks around screw holes
During the WiFi Ranger install, I removed the aluminum plate that Newmar provided as a "special" conduit run. After cleaning off the sealant, I noticed multiple cracks in the fiberglass roof radiating from the aluminum plate mounting holes. Newmar uses self-drilling/tapping screws for making these holes. I am concerned that these cracks may spread with time. Anyone have experience with these types of cracks?
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2017 Newmar Ventana 3709
2017 Jeep Wrangler (2 door) 2022 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
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12-20-2017, 04:35 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: The Great Outdoors, RV Resort, Florida
Posts: 748
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They look like gelcoat cracks. They were created by the screw forced in, instead the hole being pre drilled. Not likely to spread, unless additional pressure Is applied. You can sand the area, wipe with mineral spirits and paint with thin epoxy like West System. But the cracks being under the plate are not a big deal.
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Buly, Doris and Daisy
2015 DS 4369 towing 2014 CRV
It is never too late to have a happy childhood! 
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12-20-2017, 07:24 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: AZ
Posts: 6,425
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Pretty typical, gelcoat is thicker then paint and cracks under stress, this is typically just cosmetic and will be sealed under the plate and surrounding sealant anyway. Stuart
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Newmar 2016 Canyon Star 3710
Newmar 2018 Dutch Star 4369 SP
Newmar 2023 Dutch Star 4369 FL
Entegra 2025 Cornerstone 45D on order
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12-20-2017, 08:53 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Foley AL
Posts: 7,138
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I usually put down a strip of Eternabond under things that are remounted. Caulk the tape edges and the screw heads with Dicor .... lasts forever.
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2005 Newmar Essex 4502, 2013 Caddy SRX
1997 HR Endeavor 37, CAT, 1996 Geo Tracker
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12-20-2017, 08:59 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Western NY
Posts: 6,150
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Best practice w gel coat is to predrill and chamfer / countersink the hole.
It does 2 things... prevents the stress cracks and provides a cavity for sealant to seal around the screw.
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Don & Marge
'13 Newmar Ventana 3433 - '14 CR-V TOAD
'03 Winnebago Adventurer 31Y - SOLD
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12-21-2017, 12:05 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: So Cal
Posts: 650
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Thanks to all for the replies!
__________________
2017 Newmar Ventana 3709
2017 Jeep Wrangler (2 door) 2022 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
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12-21-2017, 06:46 AM
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#7
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Posts: 7,902
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Yep. Hole was made with a self drilling screw and not predrilled. The best way with gelcoated fiberglass is to pre-drill with a countersink bit.
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2007 Country Coach Allure Siskiyou Summit, sold/traded Nov. 2018.
2019 Grand Designs 384GK-R 5th wheel. Glen Allen, VA
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12-21-2017, 09:25 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Newmar Owners Club Texas Boomers Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New Braunfels, Texas
Posts: 1,308
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dp7
During the WiFi Ranger install, I removed the aluminum plate that Newmar provided as a "special" conduit run. After cleaning off the sealant, I noticed multiple cracks in the fiberglass roof radiating from the aluminum plate mounting holes. Newmar uses self-drilling/tapping screws for making these holes. I am concerned that these cracks may spread with time. Anyone have experience with these types of cracks?
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Quick question.
I have to get up there and so the same thing for my WFR.
However, I already have three cables through that pipe for my DISH Traveler. Given that I have to run that new cable with an RJ-45 on the end, do you think it will fit?
If not, I think I’ll leave it to Newmar to getter done when we visit Nappanee in June.
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Dan & Linda
FMCA 399045 NKK 22240
2020 Dutch Star 4081 - Spartan K2
2017 Dutch Star 4018 - Sold - Towing Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk
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12-22-2017, 12:27 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: So Cal
Posts: 650
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Quote:
Originally Posted by deaton
Quick question.
I have to get up there and so the same thing for my WFR.
However, I already have three cables through that pipe for my DISH Traveler. Given that I have to run that new cable with an RJ-45 on the end, do you think it will fit?
If not, I think I’ll leave it to Newmar to getter done when we visit Nappanee in June.
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If the conduit is the same size as installed on mine, I think it would be pretty difficult to fish the RJ-45 along side three coax cables.
__________________
2017 Newmar Ventana 3709
2017 Jeep Wrangler (2 door) 2022 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
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