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bklaes · 03-22-2017, 12:15 PM

The side wall behind the passenger seat, in front of the slide, has given birth to 3 cracks. I suspected water damage prior to when I bought it. Looks ok on the exterior. Can I fill with ProFlex and not worry about it, or have I got a much bigger problem?

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johnboy2 · 03-22-2017, 02:26 PM

Did you look a the roof to sidewall seam? That seams to be the problem spot especially if there's a awning or slide topper involved. Remember that is a very long seam so you have to inspect the whole thing.

Captjake1 · 03-22-2017, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnboy2

Did you look a the roof to sidewall seam? That seams to be the problem spot especially if there's a awning or slide topper involved. Remember that is a very long seam so you have to inspect the whole thing.

And the fiberglass awning box right there too. I had a major leak in that same are from above.

William Willard · 03-22-2017, 02:53 PM

They look like stress cracks -- Close the slide & see if the cracks go all the way to the edge of the wall -- Did they appear about the same time & how long ago -- Have you checked for cracks on the drivers side -- It could be from moisture -- Check the porch light for a good seal -- Bill Willard

RustyTools · 03-22-2017, 04:56 PM

Coach model?
Might help us work out where the problem issues from.

-Gramps- · 03-22-2017, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyTools

Coach model?
Might help us work out where the problem issues from.

Make, model and year is in the OP's sig.

If it is a water leak the wall would be spongy and the wallpaper would start to deteriorate. I suspect slide out stress is causing the crack, and the stress has to do with leveling the coach after the slides are extended, which was necessary to help keep the windshield from popping out.

Hgrace56 · 03-22-2017, 05:27 PM

Looks more than water damage.
If he worried about deeper structural issues.
Possibly impact or extremely rough road use.

bklaes · 03-22-2017, 07:20 PM

Thanks for everyone's input. I'll try to answer all the questions to hone in on the '05 Dip wall cracks...
I just noticed the cracks today. I drove in some cold weather a week ago for a few hours, but didn't deploy the slides.
The driver's side has no cracks.
Wall paper not disintegrating.
The pass side sidewall is a bit "crackly" when I press in near the top crack. Not spongy... crackly. Not-so-crackly near the bottom.
No wetness or moisture on the sidewall or carpet in the area in the past year. I could have a leak in the places suggested, but think I wouldn've seen evidence of a leak before the wall cracked up.
I'm the only driver and not taken it over any rough roads.
I use the 1) slides out. 2) air dump. 3) front jack down first, to level.

bklaes · 03-22-2017, 07:22 PM

Shoot... no one offered the solution to get out the Flex Fill and paint to match!

-Gramps- · 03-22-2017, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bklaes

Shoot... no one offered the solution to get out the Flex Fill and paint to match!

Its worth a try. Fill and Paint and if it doesn't crack the filler you should be good to go I would think.

RWeigant · 03-23-2017, 09:13 AM

I would take the trim off and see what's there. Then cut a grove and put in a spline across the crack. You need to stabilize the crack. Filling it won't work.

William Willard · 03-23-2017, 01:44 PM

Awhile back I cut a hole in the side of our coach (07 Camelot) to install an outside exhaust vent for the microwave -- I`m sure the walls on our coach & yours are made the same -- From inside to out, the first layer is the luan paneling, 1 1/2 inch foam, thin luan paneling, & then the fiberglass, which is very thin -- These layers are bonded together & are very strong -- I still have the piece I cut out & could post a picture of it if would help you understand the wall construction --
Are your slides hydraulic ? If they are, & of course this is just a guess, could it be that the slide was out of adjustment, & pulled on that wall hard enough to crack it -- My slides are electric, & don`t have the power of the hydraulic ones --
When you do find & fix the problem, I would not paint the wall, but find a like wallpaper to cover it -- At some point you will be selling or trading that coach, & just a painted wall will be a red flag -- The window trim & such is easy to remove -- Fill the cracks, paint the wall with a primer such as KILZ -- If you try to parer it without the primer, it won`t take long for the paper to turn loose -- I speak from experience on that one -- Bill Willard

RVLover357 · 03-23-2017, 03:29 PM

Seems more like water damage. Composet Products offer alot of options for fixing these issues

bklaes · 03-25-2017, 08:22 AM

Thanks to all.
RWeigant-good idea with spline. I'll remove the wall paper and investigate.
Bill Willard- Hydraulic slides that seem to be working the same for 3 years. Thanks for offer of pic, but I don't think it's necessary.

I'm going with the water damage theory until I find evidence to change my mind... A couple of questions...

Is there a source for replacement wall paper?

Will the crackly/rotted Luan separate easy enough from the foam layer?

Does the entire piece of Luan need replaced or can I extract & replace just the damaged section? (I'm not too keen on removing the over-the-door cabinet.)

When I remove the passenger side window, what odds will you give me that I can reassemble without it leaking?