RV Fiberglass Repair

[Fargus]

I have a line on a really nice 31' 2009 Skyline Nomad. It's listed at 9500 and NADA lists low retail as 15,500 as it sits. Since the unit is in Mesquite and I am in Conroe, I had my Dad scope it out on Saturday and he found a crack in the glass above the rear most corner (circled in first pic). It looks like the backend had been dragged (damaged jack) causing the glass to pop. After talking to the seller he claims the repair is just a matter of grinding the glass, laying down some new glass and the applying the gelcoat. Sounds easy enough for someone with experience, but I am low in glass repair experience department.

Anyone familiar with fiberglass repair or do it for a living willing to give just a rough guess on repair costs?

[Fargus]

Wow, TBH doesn't have any input on something?

[Bowtechlady]

PM TBHer Careybirdwell...he should be able to help you

[parkchief100]

Look at my post on fiberglass repair on a jet ski. Several guys gave me step by step instructions on how to so it and what to buy. It should be pretty much the same as yours. I have not attempted mine as of yet. Good Luck!

[flywise]

First, forget the gelcoat. I do not believe it would be feesable ( sp ) on something that small.
Second, although I have not done FG repair my brother has many times and that should be a fairly easy fix.
There are small kits available with everything you need to do a job( with instructions ).

And, there is a great RV roof repair tape I have used on my
Popup that is amazingly good

[LWolken]

You might be able to get a boat shop to do the repairs send them the pic they may even be able to give a ball park estimate.

[Atfulldraw]

I disagree with the cause of the cracking....

it's more than likely a stress fracture due to the wall moving when that big slide top hits the wall. It may be able to be adjusted, but fixing the fiberglass is going to be temporary at best if this is the issue, at least until the slide is adjusted. That slide is just a big hole in the wall, the bigger the hole, the weaker the wall is.

Another thing to consider is how long that crack has been there and how much water has gotten to the inside.

I would move on to the next unit, but what do I know?

[careybirdwell]

I disagree with the cause of the cracking....

it's more than likely a stress fracture due to the wall moving when that big slide top hits the wall. It may be able to be adjusted, but fixing the fiberglass is going to be temporary at best if this is the issue, at least until the slide is adjusted. That slide is just a big hole in the wall, the bigger the hole, the weaker the wall is.

Another thing to consider is how long that crack has been there and how much water has gotten to the inside.

I would move on to the next unit, but what do I know?

Agreed, it is a stress crack. It definitely can be cause by a out of aligned & poorly adjusted slide

But from the design, it is a nature stress point that can crack from being poorly braced over the long slide out opening

[DaveS903]

I disagree with the cause of the cracking....

it's more than likely a stress fracture due to the wall moving when that big slide top hits the wall. It may be able to be adjusted, but fixing the fiberglass is going to be temporary at best if this is the issue, at least until the slide is adjusted. That slide is just a big hole in the wall, the bigger the hole, the weaker the wall is.

Another thing to consider is how long that crack has been there and how much water has gotten to the inside.

I would move on to the next unit, but what do I know?

^ Yup. I am not a fiberglass pro but I have worked with it. If I were going to fix it, I would bond a 24" piece of 3/4" or 1" plywood on the backside and cover the ply + 3 or 4 inches with several layers of layers of heavy roving. I would stop drill the crack and use a small grinder to "V" the groove and fill with fiberglass crack filler.

[Fargus]

As far as water intrusion, after noticing the crack Dad back went inside to inspect that specific area and did not see ANY signs of water damage. With that information I would almost have to assume it's either a new crack (not likely) or it doesn't go all the way through.

[kdenhead]

Looks structural. Repair to gel coat would only cover real issue. Issue is reflected in market value....

Despite being clean, I would look for other RV options.

[Buckshot-73]

If I were in your shoes, and was truly interested in the RV, I would ask the seller if we could take it to a reputable dealer, and have it inspected by a qualified repairman, from top to bottom...
It might cost a small fee, but you will be better informed about possible hidden problem's.


Or take atfulldraw's advice.

[Todd-ty729]

Something is wrong with the camper.

Keep looking.

[Buckshot4900]

If I were in your shoes, and was truly interested in the RV, I would ask the seller if we could take it to a reputable dealer, and have it inspected by a qualified repairman, from top to bottom...
It might cost a small fee, but you will be better informed about possible hidden problem's.


Or take atfulldraw's advice.

X2

[Fargus]

I will probably take AtFullDraw's advise and keep looking. If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is and we are in NO hurry to buy. Here are some teaser pics of the rest of the rig.