Fiberglass problem?

[PrairieDog99]

Hi, just put a deposit this 2017 Riverside RV 19 ft TT.

It's a local California trailer, so minimal rain. The decals are bleached and peeled, but the interior is near-perfect, so it likely sat un-used in the hot valley sun for years....

Overall, everything looks good but this crease(?) The fiberglass has very slight raise to the touch and it's about 1 inch wide, it's perfectly vertical near the front window.

According to the dealer (and my visual inspection), no water damage inside or visible in the hatch area below it, no signs at all, no stains, nothing. The sound doesn't change when bumped and it feels solid to the touch.

The dealer has great reviews and seems to be knowledgeable. I'm being told the roof is good, probably not delamination, it's likely just the way the fiberglass aged over a seam or part of the frame. It is an aluminum framed trailer, fyi.

Anyone have something like this on their rig or experience with something similar?

[Traygar]

That doesn’t look like delamination to me. I could be wrong.

[hamm2018]

Originally Posted by PrairieDog99

Hi, just put a deposit this 2017 Riverside RV 19 ft TT.

It's a local California trailer, so minimal rain. The decals are bleached and peeled, but the interior is near-perfect, so it likely sat un-used in the hot valley sun for years....

Overall, everything looks good but this crease(?) The fiberglass has very slight raise to the touch and it's about 1 inch wide, it's perfectly vertical near the front window.

According to the dealer (and my visual inspection), no water damage inside or visible in the hatch area below it, no signs at all, no stains, nothing. The sound doesn't change when bumped and it feels solid to the touch.

The dealer has great reviews and seems to be knowledgeable. I'm being told the roof is good, probably not delamination, it's likely just the way the fiberglass aged over a seam or part of the frame. It is an aluminum framed trailer, fyi.

Anyone have something like this on their rig or experience with something similar?

Hate to say it, it does look like delamination. Especially coming down from the roof line in that position. Did you get on the roof and check the sealant/roof material?
It may be too late since you placed a deposit on it, but I would hire an independent RV inspector too go over the rig.
How much experience do you have with an RV and maintaining the rigs?

[Gooma]

Delamination or water damage, it won't get better. Have the dealer repair it before you sign the papers.

[Traygar]

Originally Posted by hamm2018

Hate to say it, it does look like delamination. Especially coming down from the roof line in that position. Did you get on the roof and check the sealant/roof material?
It may be too late since you placed a deposit on it, but I would hire an independent RV inspector too go over the rig.
How much experience do you have with an RV and maintaining the rigs?

Okay, I said I could be wrong (looking at a small screen), and now I guess you guys are right after I looked at the picture expanded on a real screen. At first it looked to me like the light catching it just right where it's glued to a vertical strip of metal. I had an aluminum-framed fiberglass trailer that looked much like that in several vertical strips in the right lighting - not detectable in most lighting or by feel. It was just where it was glued to solid structures as opposed to foam sheets, not delamination on mine.
Anyway, looking at it closer I stand corrected and confirm what you are seeing.

[PrairieDog99]

Originally Posted by hamm2018

Hate to say it, it does look like delamination. Especially coming down from the roof line in that position. Did you get on the roof and check the sealant/roof material?
It may be too late since you placed a deposit on it, but I would hire an independent RV inspector too go over the rig.
How much experience do you have with an RV and maintaining the rigs?

Thanks for the info! If it is delamination...what about a repair? Considering it's the only spot that needs to be addressed (aside from sealing roof or seam leaks), would this be a big job or minor repair? I'm already getting the rig for a good price, any thoughts how this might change its value? A little, a lot?

I guess I'm asking, if YOU really liked the trailer and the price, is this bump in the road or a deal killer?

[dons2346]

Pass on that unit. Delam repair is iffy at best

[Traygar]

Originally Posted by dons2346

Pass on that unit. Delam repair is iffy at best

Agreed. There are a lot of other good travel trailers out there for sale.

[SafariBen]

That's not what I'd expect to see from typical delamination, and don't know a thing about that model or maker to know if that's a problem they have, or what material they use and if that's a problem with that material.



Take a look at the other side in that location, or the back in that similar location to see if it's some kind of bracket that is telegraphing through the surface. What's on the inside in that location? Cabinet edge?

[d23haynes57]

Possible water got between the beam and skin and then froze.

[MFL]

Originally Posted by PrairieDog99

Thanks for the info! If it is delamination...what about a repair? Considering it's the only spot that needs to be addressed (aside from sealing roof or seam leaks), would this be a big job or minor repair? I'm already getting the rig for a good price, any thoughts how this might change its value? A little, a lot?

I guess I'm asking, if YOU really liked the trailer and the price, is this bump in the road or a deal killer?

Delamination always lowers the value; amount depends on actual damage. It can be a big job to repair the damage, to make it look like new, but may not be necessary. If it is a water leak, that can be more easily repaired, and stop any further damage. The mark itself, seems cosmetic, and maybe the reason for the "good price".

The possible damage looks to be right below the attached rain gutter spout. Those spouts are usually attached with a screw. I'd check to see if that screw is loose, or rusted, if turned out. If screw is okay, I'd add some sealant to threads, before snugging back up.

An RV knowledgeable friend, or trusted RV tech would be helpful in your decision moving forward. Us looking at a pic can help, but not same as being there.

[PrairieDog99]

Great info everyone, thanks! I reached out to the dealer. We (both) agreed to investigate it a little more. I'll update when I have more info.

[hamm2018]

Originally Posted by PrairieDog99

Thanks for the info! If it is delamination...what about a repair? Considering it's the only spot that needs to be addressed (aside from sealing roof or seam leaks), would this be a big job or minor repair? I'm already getting the rig for a good price, any thoughts how this might change its value? A little, a lot?

I guess I'm asking, if YOU really liked the trailer and the price, is this bump in the road or a deal killer?

If it is the only spot, it could be a good deal still. But that depends on the repair price.
To repair, you need to remove the section of bad spot. Cut approximately 2-3 inches on each side of the delamination. Then remove that section and patch in new material.
A good body shop can probably do the repair cheaper than a RV dealer. Check with a body shop for a rough estimate before signing the final deal paperwork.

When we had a sidewall crack that is how they repaired our rig. Our repair was about 7 days total.

[Paul_D]

I'll buck the delamination trend. It could be delamination, but not by water.
That area is directly over the vertical aluminium frame member. Maybe the glue on the aluminium didn't hold. I would send the photo to Riverside and ask their opinion.

The other question - Is there wood in the outer wall? Some manufacturers use synthetic panels for the exterior structure.

If water was leaking from the roof, and the exterior uses wood, it would spread as it soaked the wood. This is a straight line exactly above aluminium frame and appears to go almost all the way down.