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Topic: Fiberglass Crack repair: Arizona shop recommendation? (Read 1693 times) previous topic - next topic
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Fiberglass Crack repair: Arizona shop recommendation?

Yahoo Message Number: 99100
I have an 11 inch crack in the exterior fiberglass sidewall near the top of the coach. This crack also extends 3 inches into the rear cap. I have a couple of questions for this group: Has anybody experienced similar crack and had it repaired, and if so, is the repair still good for you? Also, can anybody recommend a body shop in Arizona to handle this repair? I was considering Premiere RV in Tucson and wondering if other members have experience there or anywhere else.

I'm in Denver and considering travel to Arizona to have this repaired. My coach is stored indoors and not winterized and so having this repaired in Denver would have to wait until May... and I'd rather do it sooner. I've attempted inserting a few photos here in case those assist with clarifying my description.

John Coleman

'02 Intrigue 36' #11461

Re: Fiberglass Crack repair: Arizona shop recommendation?

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99104
Eric Olstrom at premier is a good guy. They do seem to always be busy so I would call and have a plan.

Re: Fiberglass Crack repair: Arizona shop recommendation? [2 Attachm

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99105
John,

A comment on your crack shown in picture.  Stress cracks near or around rear caps are due to towing heavy loads.

If this be the case repairing will just be a short term fix.

Re: Fiberglass Crack repair: Arizona shop recommendation?

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99109
We had a good experience at RV Renovators in Mesa.

RV Collision And RV Repair

FWIW

Dave M. 2002 Affinity #6103
Dave & Cathy M, 2002 Affinity #6103, 2018 GMC Acadia, Linux Mint 19.2

Re: Fiberglass Crack repair: Arizona shop recommendation?

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99110
My two cents. We had a similar issue with another brand early in our RV career. I was informed by a number of body shops the only way to fix it was to replace the panel, otherwise it would only reappear. Cap maybe a different story.
 I suspect collision experts could weigh in here. Would like to know if I was led down the path of higher priced repairs after all these years.

Lon

'06 Inspire 
----

Re: Fiberglass Crack repair: Arizona shop recommendation?

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99116
My two cents:

Repair shops try to avoid complaints and redo jobs.

So they do not take short cuts to fix a problem.

Replace the whole part or system and the customer departs happy, speaking well of the shop, and leaving a lot more money with the shop.

I had Cummins West quote a @ $1800 repair.  I fixed it for $7.  The repair has worked fine for the past 6 years.

Re: Fiberglass Crack repair: Arizona shop recommendation?

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99145
Haven't repaired it (yet).  Body shops tell me this crack is in what appears to be a prior bondo repair.  Prior owner tells me he overlooked the crack and discovered it immediately after he bought the coach from original owner.  He decided against repair, driving the coach for about 6 years as-is.  Crack hasn't grown in the 18 months and 5000 miles I've owned it.

Repair estimates run about $4K to $5K.  Difficult lesson for this, my first-purchased motor home.  I'm debating whether to stay the course of the prior owner and just watch it closely for deterioration.  One reason the PO said he didn't repair was his concern the repaint job might eventually be more noticeable than the existing crack.

It isn't so noticeable from ground level until I climb a ladder to look at it closely. My concern is if it grows larger and leads to worse problem, but with several apparent years remaining unchanged I'm leaning against repair unless I detect further cracking.

Re: Fiberglass Crack repair: Arizona shop recommendation?

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99150
That is an extremely costly lesson. Again  the repair is back because of a slip-shot repair. Doing it right involves repair from the inside to strengthen the cap. Bondo repair  only fills in the crack which still allows for flex.  As for paint that is not a concern especially with computer match today. It's a no-brainer at professional shops with state of art equipment.
Just for the record you have to understand the stress your cap experienced in order to crack-pull apart. This was at it's extreme when flexing at highway speed when the coach and trailer went to opposite pull. Mega stress flex to extreme pressures.
With the crack of this size you need to look for medal stress around engine mounts and reinforcement arms where  the receiver is attached to frame.
I'am not trying to scare you but engine cradles also have been known to show stress cracks.
Anyone thinking of purchasing a RV should ask if the coach has pulled a trailer or supported a rear MC mounted bracket  ? Both items have history of been the cause of body and frame engine cradle issues.

Re: Fiberglass Crack repair: Arizona shop recommendation?

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99181
John,

Repairing the crack isn't to difficult if you can get to the back side of the cracked area.
You will need to reinforce the back with fiberglass matting and polyester resin.
I would apply three to four layers of glass & resin reinforcement.
You will need to "stop drill" the existing crack. This is  nothing more than drilling holes larger
 than the crack itself at each  end. That will stop the crack from expanding.

sand the outside of the crack down to the fiberglass substrate Then "vee" the crack (just  gouge it out) and repair with a polyester resin product. and sand smooth. Only use the bondo type body filler as s glaze coat to fill in any pinholes and slight
 imperfections. Get your paint custom matched at a quality automotive paint
 supplier and the paint should match just fine. You will need to take a sample

of your paint to the paint supplier for an accurate match.
The entire project should cost you less than $200 in materials.
Good luck with your project.
RJ

2005 Inspire #51264
 

Fiberglass Crack

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 99107
I cannot tell by the pictures, but is the vertical piece scratched at all? A scrape can look like that. I have seen the barbed wire on top of perimeter fencing do that... s/Terry A.