Want a peek behind the fiberglass?

by NorCalCat on 3/17/2011, 3:56 pm

My wife and I bought our first trailer (WC fifth wheel) on an ebay auction and got a great deal. The trailer was listed as having no leaks or water damage. Well, it did. The left rear corner was coming apart and the selling dealership accepted full responsibility and agreed to repair it, including pick up and delivery from our house (6 hour drive, one way). Here is a photo of the damage from the exterior, and then what the interior wall looks like, before and after repairs-

And, the interior of the rear wall, before repair, note the damage at top left and the left side

by Mopar_Earl on 3/17/2011, 4:55 pm

Glad it worked out for you. Would of been expensive to have it repaired.

Earl

by huntr70 on 3/17/2011, 11:50 pm

I would be willing to bet that 75% of all the 'Cats on the road have the same issue.

3 of us ordered identical trailers, and all 3 have had the rear walls replaced. Forest River uses those stupid enclosed corner caps, which leave the water no where to go except inside.

I've seen 8 'Cats so far, in person, that have had the rear water damage like that.

by Portagie1968 on 3/18/2011, 5:04 am

If not the corner caps what else would you use? Glad it worked out for you.

by Sean on 3/18/2011, 9:21 am

I hope that my Cat does not suffer the same fate for a few years.
but it was interesting to see what is behind the outer shell.
Sean

by NorCalCat on 3/18/2011, 3:15 pm

I can only say that I am very fortunate to be working with a dealer that takes pride in it's reputation. The dealership has also offered to replace the roof vents and do some other roof repairs at their cost to maintain their good name, and I will probably be posting the dealer's info in the forum for recommended dealerships at th conclusion of this service, when I get my trailer back.

by JBShultz on 3/19/2011, 9:00 am

huntr70 wrote:I would be willing to bet that 75% of all the 'Cats on the road have the same issue.

3 of us ordered identical trailers, and all 3 have had the rear walls replaced. Forest River uses those stupid enclosed corner caps, which leave the water no where to go except inside.

I've seen 8 'Cats so far, in person, that have had the rear water damage like that.

How long did it take for the damage to show up? Is it a bubble on the rear wall that you first notice?

by huntr70 on 3/19/2011, 12:27 pm

It was the second year, and it was small blister-like bumps on the interior paneling.

It looked like the paneling had a rash, and just spread from the ceiling to the floor.

There are only a few Forest River builds that use those corners. Most other builders, as well as other FR brands just run the moldings to the corners, and seal everything.

From what I've seen, the new Sterlings editions don't use the corners...FWIW

by JBShultz on 3/19/2011, 1:29 pm

Ahh, inside clues. Got it. Thanks!

by NorCalCat on 3/19/2011, 5:13 pm

For the record, there was no visible interior damage to the pictured trailer above. The separated panels seam was obvious, and the entire rear panel was bulging out. Glad I caught it at the time of purchase and not down the road.

by grover on 3/21/2011, 12:12 pm

I can't wait to see the final pics.

by Portagie1968 on 3/22/2011, 12:51 pm

I hope when they put that together somebody put a bead of silicone on the trailers top and sides. Make like a sandwich, squish out the excess and almost assuredly seal that sucker for life. I think my 2006 WC is aluminum studs.

by huntr70 on 3/22/2011, 11:48 pm

Portagie1968 wrote:I hope when they put that together somebody put a bead of silicone on the trailers top and sides. Make like a sandwich, squish out the excess and almost assuredly seal that sucker for life. I think my 2006 WC is aluminum studs.

They are only aluminum in the sidewalls......

Front and rear are wooden studs.

by Portagie1968 on 3/24/2011, 6:40 am

huntr70 wrote:
Portagie1968 wrote:I hope when they put that together somebody put a bead of silicone on the trailers top and sides. Make like a sandwich, squish out the excess and almost assuredly seal that sucker for life. I think my 2006 WC is aluminum studs.

They are only aluminum in the sidewalls......

Front and rear are wooden studs.

My Wicked Kitty maybe built different. I have many windows in the rear. I had to take off the shore power plug and also drill another hole thru my side wall. While doing this I used a stud finder set on metal to find the studs. Also when I reached inside the holes the studs felt like metal. I will be taking the solar plug off later this year and I will find out for sure.

by Mopar_Earl on 3/24/2011, 1:00 pm

huntr70 wrote:
Portagie1968 wrote:I hope when they put that together somebody put a bead of silicone on the trailers top and sides. Make like a sandwich, squish out the excess and almost assuredly seal that sucker for life. I think my 2006 WC is aluminum studs.

They are only aluminum in the sidewalls......

Front and rear are wooden studs.

Mine as well. Also roof is wood framed. I think they do that to allow some flexing to the coach.

Earl

by Portagie1968 on 3/24/2011, 1:30 pm

My roof is wood also.

by huntr70 on 3/24/2011, 11:53 pm

Portagie1968 wrote:
huntr70 wrote:
Portagie1968 wrote:I hope when they put that together somebody put a bead of silicone on the trailers top and sides. Make like a sandwich, squish out the excess and almost assuredly seal that sucker for life. I think my 2006 WC is aluminum studs.

They are only aluminum in the sidewalls......

Front and rear are wooden studs.

My Wicked Kitty maybe built different. I have many windows in the rear. I had to take off the shore power plug and also drill another hole thru my side wall. While doing this I used a stud finder set on metal to find the studs. Also when I reached inside the holes the studs felt like metal. I will be taking the solar plug off later this year and I will find out for sure.

Yep, it may very well be different, especially since you have the West Coast build.

I've seen the whole rear wall exposed of mine, and know mine is wood studs.

by JBShultz on 3/25/2011, 3:03 am

Hey huntr70 - I'm in your backyard...who did you order your unit from?

by Portagie1968 on 3/25/2011, 4:09 am

huntr70 wrote:
Portagie1968 wrote:
huntr70 wrote:
Portagie1968 wrote:I hope when they put that together somebody put a bead of silicone on the trailers top and sides. Make like a sandwich, squish out the excess and almost assuredly seal that sucker for life. I think my 2006 WC is aluminum studs.

They are only aluminum in the sidewalls......

Front and rear are wooden studs.

My Wicked Kitty maybe built different. I have many windows in the rear. I had to take off the shore power plug and also drill another hole thru my side wall. While doing this I used a stud finder set on metal to find the studs. Also when I reached inside the holes the studs felt like metal. I will be taking the solar plug off later this year and I will find out for sure.

Yep, it may very well be different, especially since you have the West Coast build.

I've seen the whole rear wall exposed of mine, and know mine is wood studs.

Very soon I will be back in that wall and know for sure. You are correct west coasts are different in many ways. Getting old and my memory lasts about 3 feet or 30 seconds which ever comes first. My not have to worry to much about leaks even though I hate them.

by huntr70 on 3/27/2011, 6:54 am

JBShultz wrote:Hey huntr70 - I'm in your backyard...who did you order your unit from?

3 of us got together and ordered 3 of the 2008 32QBBS from Stoltzfus in Adamstown.

Unfortunately, they have been less than stellar so far. All 3 have been back to factory, then all 3 had the rear walls rebuilt.

I even showed Lee (our salesman) one they had on the lot that was brand new and had water stains on the slideout flanges.

by Portagie1968 on 3/27/2011, 7:17 am

Not good PR. Now I do not feel so bad.

by JBShultz on 3/27/2011, 7:33 am

huntr70 wrote:
JBShultz wrote:Hey huntr70 - I'm in your backyard...who did you order your unit from?

3 of us got together and ordered 3 of the 2008 32QBBS from Stoltzfus in Adamstown.

Unfortunately, they have been less than stellar so far. All 3 have been back to factory, then all 3 had the rear walls rebuilt.

I even showed Lee (our salesman) one they had on the lot that was brand new and had water stains on the slideout flanges.

We will not take their actions - or lack there of - personally then. We ordered through them as well. Had a different salesman though.

I don't know what slideout flanges are?

by huntr70 on 3/27/2011, 1:11 pm

The flat, fabric wrapped sides of the slideout.

On the inside, there is the wood and fabric covered flange that seals against the wall when the slides are out.

by Portagie1968 on 3/28/2011, 4:18 am

I am enlightened.

by Wildcat Blessed on 9/29/2011, 6:52 am

I had been wondering what our walls were constructed with on the new to me used 2006 29RLBS we just purchased in August 2011. I emailed Rod Batts at FR my Vin# and he pulled up a lot of information for me. He said "The side walls on the 2005 and 2006 are built out of aluminum. However, the rear wall and the roof are both built out of wood." He also said "The rear wall is a loose hung wall. It is not laminated like the side walls. It has real fiberglass insulation behind it. That's why it feels soft. All Wildcats are built this way. Sure hope my Cat will last me for many years to come. So glad I was able to get a great deal on it. Wink

by Portagie1968 on 9/29/2011, 1:33 pm

Great to have a West Coast Model. Rear is aluminum.

Wildcat Owners from around the world. 5th wheels and TT's. A place to share your Thoughts, Mod's and Idea's.

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