What's up with fiberglass wall delamination ?

[tvp]

I'm thinking of getting back into RV,s .....I had a 2004 Newmar Kountry star Gas unit for 3 years then sold it . Been out of the RV s circle for a while.....
So I start looking at used RV,s and started to read a lot of warnings of side wall delamination or walls separating from the studs....due to poor materials and glue
When did this manufacturing problem start and what years and manufactures do I stay away from ? Even Newmar has this problem ,.....help !!
TVP

[Ludmilla]

I think you are talking about paint checking and not delam. Delam is caused by water damage. Paint checking is caused because sidewalls panels that were used by a lot of builders between 2000 and 2008 (approx.) have a problem that is worse in heat. That is what the dark areas are hot first and suffer the worst. It is a big problem and just repainting is often not adequate. If the coach has been kept out of the sun when not being used, the issue may be minimal and you do not have to worry about it unless you are going to have the RV outside all the time.


As one that purchased a coach with that problem, it will only get worse over time even if you store it inside. I was lucky it was. Newmar with the hind sidewall construction so the sidewalls could be changed. I brought it to Newmar to have the sidewalls replaced and repainted. It was expensive at $16K so I would avoid any coach with that issue.


Do a search on the form for sidewall checking and you will find a lot of good information. I think someone posted a picture of it.

[Ludmilla]

What checking looks like are small lines under the clear coat that get bigger and eventually will lift up the clear coat and cause cracks in the clear coat or pop it off. You can see the small checks if you look at an angle down the side of the coach. It is a defect in the construction of the panel.

[Wizard]

If it is delamination it was probably caused by water leaking. Glue is not the problem. Most all use a wood laminate that when it get wet it begins to rot quickly and that's where the separation usually is.

[tvp]

I guess it can be called different things .....but when the fibreglass wall panels separate from the wall studs due to bad glue or materials from that time period that RV manufacturing used those products .....trying to avoid those years ....
And buy a good used RV . Any thoughts ??

[ga traveler]

Originally Posted by tvp

I guess it can be called different things .....but when the fibreglass wall panels separate from the wall studs due to bad glue or materials from that time period that RV manufacturing used those products .....trying to avoid those years ....
And buy a good used RV . Any thoughts ??

Only one way to be positive it will not happen. Buy a aluminum Airstream.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by tvp

I'm thinking of getting back into RV,s .....I had a 2004 Newmar Kountry star Gas unit for 3 years then sold it . Been out of the RV s circle for a while.....
So I start looking at used RV,s and started to read a lot of warnings of side wall delamination or walls separating from the studs....due to poor materials and glue
When did this manufacturing problem start and what years and manufactures do I stay away from ? Even Newmar has this problem ,.....help !!
TVP

Newmar doesn't use a laminated wall so it can't possibly delaminate. Some years did have the checking problem. Our '02 DSDP did, but no delamination.

[dennis45]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Newmar doesn't use a laminated wall so it can't possibly delaminate. Some years did have the checking problem. Our '02 DSDP did, but no delamination.

I agree with Mr. D. My 03 also has some checking on the right rear panel but it still looks great from 20' so I'm not concerned.
I have had quotes from 10-15 K to repair and repaint. At that price, it will have to be the next owners problem.