Crack in outside wall

[Dtwallace]

Has anyone had cracks develop in the outside wall under a slide out on their coach?

I'm thinking maybe the slide is pushing too hard on the wall from the inside If not adjusted properly and causing the outside fiberglass to crack.

Does this seem like a viable assumption or does anyone else have another idea?

I'm having trouble uploading the pictures.

[BFlinn181]

You should search on the forum using the Google search box above. There has been threads about this kind of cracking before, but I don't recall make or model. It's not a Spartan issue but the RV manufacturer's build and design.

[smlranger]

Yepper, have similar crack in same location at rear driver's side slide. Mine was more vertical, running at a slight angle from the corner of the opening down to the beltline.

Talked to a trusted friend who owns a body shop and does RV work. He said he could do the repair and repaint but could not guarantee it would not crack again. So, I covered the crack with a 2" wide piece of Eternabond tape and covered that with a nice chrome plated louver I ordered from a marine supply house. Looks great and looks like a 'vent'.

[Speedjester]

Any body shop that works with fiberglass can fix that... Relieve the stress.. Open up the crack and had at it...

[BFlinn181]

I'd think a crack at the corner like that is evidence of a wall moving far enough to crack the gelcoat. Yes, any body shop can repair the crack, but unless the wall was dismantled and reinforced it's going to crack again. smlranger's solution seals the crack and covers it. The weak section can continue to flex but the wall won't show it.

[ralphie]

While it could be a mal-adjusted slideout putting undue stress on that corner, I think it more likely could be weakness or a lack of structural support behind the corner.

[Dtwallace]

Thanks to all for your input, Guess a trip to a body shop is in the future....

[rgvtexan]

Winnebago had that problem around 04. check this thread

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f101/04-i...ld-164554.html

[mojoracing]

I had the same crack on a gulfstream super c. Back then in 05, there was some talk of gulfstream handling it for some folks. The fix included opening up the coach and adding more support for the area. I had so many problems that that was the least of my concerns. I caulked it and sold it.

[mojoracing]

Please let us know what fleetwood says. I think you are still covered under their structural warranty and that sure looks like it would fall under structural. My bet is they say it's due to improper slide adjustment.

[Heavy-13]

Yes, I had such a crack on passenger side bedroom slide out forward corner. Covered under warrantee by Fleetwood and fixed by them last month.

[mojoracing]

Well that's good to hear! Did they say what caused it?

[PushedAround]

Tiffins have the same problem in the same place. Funny that it is in the panel with the smallest slide. At least mine cracked in the area with white paint. I filled it with some sealant and it is barely visible.

[Jimalberta]

Smiranger.....any chance you could post a picture of your "repair". I'd like to see how it turned out. Thanks. Jim


2001 American Eagle 40 US 8.9 ISL, towing 1999 Cherokee or 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 with Polaris RZR in the back.