End Cap Separation Problem

[jbittner]

2010 Forest River Wildcat 5th wheel.
End cap is separating from the driver's side.
(see attached photo)

Started with a small separation which was calked but didn't hold. Separation has increased during a road trip to that in the picture. Covered with blue painters tape to keep dust and water out temporarily. Pulling on the ladder further increases separation.

Passenger side and roof are still fine.

Where are the attachment fasteners for this piece? Are they under the molding?

Any advice on how to repair or recommendations appreciated.

Thanks.

[MFL]

Mine is not a FR, but has screws under the vinyl trim. Mine has a 6-sided aluminum cage framing that these screws should be attached to, making it pretty solid.

It would appear that your ladder stand offs on the left side, are not fastened to anything but the fiberglass panel? There should be framing there, but framing maybe missed in manufacture?

Did a heavy person climb the ladder, or something pull on the ladder to cause this issue? In any case you may have to take more loose, to look behind, for support to fasten to. Most times the rear panel is not bonded, but just uses insulation under front cap and rear panel of FW.

[ChrisDParise]

Looks like there's rot indicated by the dark brown color.

Before any repair can be attempted the root cause should be determined

Knock on the wall up and down the side and the rear at the corner. Is there a hollow sound or a solid sound? Is the fiberglass skin in that corner detached from the substrate? If so then it's water damaged.

[jbittner]

Thanks.

I'll pull the vinyl trim, as suggested, to get a better look on how the cap is fastened.

The dark spots at the bottom and along the edges of the separation are remnants of clay weather stripping that I used to temporarily seal the gap.

The long brown streaks from the top of the frame on the left of the gap is adhesive residue from the painter's tape.

The fiberglass skin has not detached from the substrate. I don't think this is water damage as being stored and driven in the desert southwest, water exposure has been almost non-existent during these drought years and the roof is good. Dry rot is more likely.

[ChrisDParise]

Originally Posted by jbittner

Thanks.

I'll pull the vinyl trim, as suggested, to get a better look on how the cap is fastened.

The dark spots at the bottom and along the edges of the separation are remnants of clay weather stripping that I used to temporarily seal the gap.

The long brown streaks from the top of the frame on the left of the gap is adhesive residue from the painter's tape.

The fiberglass skin has not detached from the substrate. I don't think this is water damage as being stored and driven in the desert southwest, water exposure has been almost non-existent during these drought years and the roof is good. Dry rot is more likely.

That's good! I'll let others advise on attaching