Body side crack

[KEH]

Hello, I’m looking for suggestions on this crack that originated from the corner of my bedroom slide out. I know that ultimately I’m going to need body work to correct it, but until then I’m thinking about putting some flexseal tape over it. I used some sealant in it but it doesn’t stay. I’m looking for a solution to keep moisture out until I can get it correctly repaired. Any thoughts? Thanks

[Flyer15015]

There is another thread by a guy with the exact same crack.
JMHO it is from the slide resting on the side wall. I don't think they are supposed to do that. The slide weight should be carried by the rollers, whether in or out. So bouncing down the highway, your slide is hammering the side wall, and you know that they are not built for that.
Check your slide mechanism , rollers and slide adjustment bolts. Something is wrong and it won't heal itself.

Mike in Colorado

[rssnape]

Originally Posted by Flyer15015

There is another thread by a guy with the exact same crack.

JMHO it is from the slide resting on the side wall. I don't think they are supposed to do that. The slide weight should be carried by the rollers, whether in or out. So bouncing down the highway, your slide is hammering the side wall, and you know that they are not built for that.

Check your slide mechanism , rollers and slide adjustment bolts. Something is wrong and it won't heal itself.



Mike in Colorado

And not sure it applies here or not, but often times you place a hole at the end of a crack/tear to stop the propagation.

[Unplanned Tourist]

It'll look ugly, but some 2 inch wide Eternabond tape will seal it.

[Jandcinok]

Gorilla makes a clear waterproof tape. Lowe’s or HD would have it.

[bhammond1980]

Personally, I'd drill a small hole at the end of the crack to stop it from walking across the panel further. These types of cracks can be from an error at the factory when they cut the panel for the slide. If they overcut, it can focus stress in that area and start a crack. Another possibility is that you have motion behind the panel. This would come from a weakness in the structure at the corner allowing the vertical components to move in relation to the horizontal pieces below the slide. There is a video on the 1492 Coachworks website that explains one of the more common problems. They show how they reinforce the corners to avoid this problem.
Hope your problem is more cosmetic but just in case.

[craigd853]

Originally Posted by KEH

Hello, I’m looking for suggestions on this crack that originated from the corner of my bedroom slide out. I know that ultimately I’m going to need body work to correct it, but until then I’m thinking about putting some flexseal tape over it. I used some sealant in it but it doesn’t stay. I’m looking for a solution to keep moisture out until I can get it correctly repaired. Any thoughts? Thanks
Attachment 389169

Hello sir, like another poster said you need to stop drill that crack in order to keep it from getting any longer. Just take a small drill bit and drill a small hole at the end of the crack and that will stop the crack. Good luck

[Camp CA]

Ditto EternaBond to cover the crack............Etherbond TAN Mobile Home RV Rubber Roof Repair Tape Sealant 4" x 10' from Amazon for $19 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CEL0TCW...roduct_details.

[153stars]

Stuff called helicopter tape will seal and be clear or clear awning or sail tape. Big part of issue right angle cutout then add metal trim modifying the natural flex. Motorhomes flex driving and leveling.

[chuckftboy]

Eternabond will work as othershave said but you will spend a lot of time and effort removing it when you do get ready for repair. There are penty of clear tapes that will also keep moisture out and are far easier to remove when you do get ready to repair the crack.

[n2zon]

This is a fairly common problem on older Tiffins. The XC chassis has quite a bit of weight cantilevered out the back. Little things, like the engine and transmission. This causes the frame to flex in normal operation, and the flexing causes the cracks near the rear wheel above the level of the frame. Although it's a commonly effective technique, for this problem no amount of drilling the end of the crack will keep it from propagating because it's under stress. If you just repair the fiberglass it will crack again.

The fix is to perform a normal fiberglass repair and then cut a slot in it, putting a flexible sealant in the cut and covering it with trim.

I recommend you find someone who knows your coach inside and out who can tell you if it's the same sort of problem. If so, the fix should be well-known and will likely be as outlined above.

It's also critical to understand whether this is a symptom of a larger problem, such as a cracked frame.

In the meantime, anything that keeps water out of the wall and is a bit flexible should work fine. Eternabond, Flexseal, even duct tape.

[KEH]

OP here. All of the input is greatly appreciated!

In regards to drilling a hole as many suggested…I did drill a 1/8th hole awhile back, but as you can see the crack continued.

I have pictures of that but it’s not letting me post them in this reply.

[n2zon]

Originally Posted by KEH

OP here. All of the input is greatly appreciated!

In regards to drilling a hole as many suggested…I did drill a 1/8th hole awhile back, but as you can see the crack continued.

I have pictures of that but it’s not letting me post them in this reply.

Before the repair, I likewise drilled a hole to try to stop the crack. As in your case, I just wound up with a crack that had a round hole in it (smile). The guy who fixed it (Daniel McKinney in Red Bay) noted that the new coaches to which this applied were all being built with the slot, flexible sealant, and cover now. Again, I don't know whether this is applicable to your coach, but the area of the crack is suggestive. Ours also started in a slideout corner.

FWIW, if this is the same sort of problem, it's not a terribly expensive fix.

[KEH]

Finally letting me upload the pics with the drilled hole. Thank you all for the advice.