Something bad going on with my 18RS Outback!

[jack65]

Something bad going on with my2007 18RS Outback trailer!
When we got the trailer back in Feb... everything looked fine, see first two pics.
The about three months later, I notice what was showing three shallow dents at the front top. See pic. Then it slowly got worse and as of today, this is what it looks like... terrible.
What is going on???
Sat in my driveway until we put it in storage two weeks ago...We only took it camping once, last week for two days and it got worse bad the following week.
I put it in storage as I was embarrassed for it to be seen in my driveway, plus we needed more room.
There was no sign of water inside the trailer at any time since we bought it too.
Did I get ripped off by the dealer?

[cvin]

it is delaminating i think

the pros here will chime in on what can be done

this is a common issue with a lot of trailers unfortunately....

[Ken / Claudia]

It took 3 years before mine did the same. The front faces the sun everyday. It's part of the build that allows it. the front is not glued just layed on the product under it. Unlike the sides that are glued and bonded. A couple weeks ago we were in a RV park with about 200 sites. Nearly everyone had same problem if it had a filon front. Looking at some Keystone TTs, appears they are going to another material on the front. Looks like plastic but, I do not know.
It could be caused by leak but, likely sun. In the winter the material shrinks back some or a lot, than summer you got waves again. No year listed on your trailer if it is under warranty, see if they will repair it. If so, you might have same problem in a year or 2.

[jack65]

Yeah, it has gotten warmer the past couple weeks, almost hot at 80+ around here. So the cooler rainy time, from Feb till about 3 weeks ago when it really starting to show up. The past week was the worse. How bad will this get and how can I fix that? Do I complain to the dealer we got it from? It's a 2007.

NOTE: Parked at my place when the three shallow dents started to show up, the front of the trailer faces away from the sun. Where it is parked now in storage, the front faces the sun all day long.

[stolly23]

It happened to my jayco. Water getting in around window seal. At a capground last year and almost every jayco i saw had the same thing going on. Thats why i traded it in last week

[Ken / Claudia]

It can be fixed at your cost. If it is the heat and not a water leak it will happen again, highly likely. If it is the heat causing it, keep up on the roof and side seams inspections, you should anyway. Make sure it has not pulled away from the joints.
You could take it to a RV repair shop or fix it yourself by removing it and install some different material. I see a 5er on U tube were a guy replaced the filon front with painted aluminum. But, now that you have noticed the problem, next time you look at used RVs you will see many more like that.
My opinion is only way it might be prevented is to store the RV inside a building. Depending on how hot it gets that may not even prevent it.

[jack65]

Strange, some say here this happens to a lot of trailers, but I have yet to see one, especially on the RV lots and where I camped two weeks ago. I was walking around looking over all the RV's, trailers and towing rigs. Mine wasn't that bad yet, until I got it home and it got hot around here. I'm embarrassed (besides being worried) to be seen with this and I have a major camping trip coming up in less than four weeks.

[Ken / Claudia]

I bet you will notice them now, kind of like before you bought XXX vehicle in XX color. Never really noticed them before and now that you have one you see them all over the place.

[sourdough]

Jack, I understand your feelings and frustration, but, there really are lots of trailers out there that have that problem on the front. That doesn't make your situation better, but you're not the only one

[FlyingAroundRV]

Our RV dealer told us that some of the Outbacks had this problem and that Keystone is going to the molded front caps because of it.

[66joej]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Jack, I understand your feelings and frustration, but, there really are lots of trailers out there that have that problem on the front. That doesn't make your situation better, but you're not the only one

Had this problem on our TT. Didn't pay much attention as we saw others with the wrinkled fronts. As it turned out there was a minute leak at one of the front clearance lights that was almost indiscernible. Finally had a dealer look at it in Lake Havasu AZ. They located it and $6500US later problem solved.

[flybouy]

Delamination, when the fiberglass gel coat seperates from the core, whether foam or wood. Happens on boats to. Typically caused by a water leak that disintigrates the glue holding the gel coat to the core. Only means of repair is to remove damaged panel and reglue or replace, both at significant costs.

[66joej]

Originally Posted by flybouy

Delamination, when the fiberglass gel coat seperates from the core, whether foam or wood. Happens on boats to. Typically caused by a water leak that disintigrates the glue holding the gel coat to the core. Only means of repair is to remove damaged panel and reglue or replace, both at significant costs.

Actually on our old 2013 Cougar there was no foam or wood beneath the Filon just some type of corrugated cardboard, the aluminum frame, insulation and the Luan interior panels. I was surprised (not really!) when the Tech said they built a lot of them that way.
What they put on as a replacement was a much thicker heavier type of Filon. Was told it is a better product.

[jack65]

Originally Posted by FlyingAroundRV

Our RV dealer told us that some of the Outbacks had this problem and that Keystone is going to the molded front caps because of it.

Keystone should step up and fix ones like mine IF they ever want repeat customers

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by jack65

Keystone should step up and fix ones like mine IF they ever want repeat customers

While I understand your frustration, your asking for Keystone to replace an 11 year old panel without any documentation of regular inspections/maintenance over that span? If you read the owners manual for pretty much ANY RV made by ANY maker, I’m willing to bet that after 90 days, it’s on the buyer to perform regular maintenance. I have seen this on lots of different brands and after about 1 year, the outcome seems to be the same.

Not trying to be insulting, just telling you what I see as a tech in the industry.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

While I understand your frustration, your asking for Keystone to replace an 11 year old panel without any documentation of regular inspections/maintenance over that span? If you read the owners manual for pretty much ANY RV made by ANY maker, I’m willing to bet that after 90 days, it’s on the buyer to perform regular maintenance. I have seen this on lots of different brands and after about 1 year, the outcome seems to be the same.

Not trying to be insulting, just telling you what I see as a tech in the industry.

While I know it is painful for the owner, this has nothing to do with Keystone. This is an 11 year old trailer with who knows what kind of history purchased by OP in Feb.?? This is the reason I don't buy used anything. I know every minute of history on everything I own...if it fails, I know why. This is the luck of the draw buying something 11 years old, and from what I can tell, the OP has been pretty lucky.

[Gegrad]

Originally Posted by jack65

Keystone should step up and fix ones like mine IF they ever want repeat customers

Originally Posted by chuckster57

While I understand your frustration, your asking for Keystone to replace an 11 year old panel without any documentation of regular inspections/maintenance over that span? If you read the owners manual for pretty much ANY RV made by ANY maker, I’m willing to bet that after 90 days, it’s on the buyer to perform regular maintenance. I have seen this on lots of different brands and after about 1 year, the outcome seems to be the same.

Not trying to be insulting, just telling you what I see as a tech in the industry.

I feel really bad for you Jack- that is truly terrible. But kind of along the same lines as Chuck said- you bought an 11 year old trailer from the 2nd or 3rd owner- you have zero knowledge of what the previous owners did or didn't do, regardless of how much you have babied it and taken care of it. I do not know the numbers, but I would be surprised if more then 60% of 2007 models of all trailers are even still in service. And since you don't seem like the type to buy a new one (me either, both of mine were purchased used, so not a knock on you at all!), they don't really care about people like us, buying deeply used. They are much more likely to step up on someone who bought new and has proof of maintenance. Not a knock on you- just a sad reality of the situation we face. Good luck in finding a solution to your problem!

[fjr vfr]

I had the same issue with our 2005 Outback 21rs. Like (Ken/ Claudia) said it is not bonded and just a sheet of material with batted insulation under just like in the walls of your house. Ours never leaked it just looked bad. We lived with it for a few years till we bought a newer trailer this year.

Many old trailers have this issue. Most of the newer trailers are using a fiberglass cap on the front to prevent this. IMHO, it's cost prohibitive and not worth fixing an older trailer. You will never get back what you put into it. The best thing is to just live with it for the time being and learn all you can about RV'ing and trailers. The next time you'll know just what you want in your next trailer. It's a learning process. Good luck.

[JRTJH]

This is not the "solution" but rather an option, depending on how handy you and your friends might be. You can buy a 102"x120" sheet of white FILON on EBay for $270. That, some time, a few decals and lots of "sweatequity" and you can replace the FILON. It's not a "cap" but a sheet of fiberglass that's glued to the framework and then held in place with the trim molding.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/10ft-RV-Fib...-/272427466260

It's definitely a daunting task, but not impossible. I'd guess that if you tow it to a RV repair center, you'll be looking at $5-7K "out the door" for a turn key repair.

[jack65]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

This is not the "solution" but rather an option, depending on how handy you and your friends might be. You can buy a 102"x120" sheet of white FILON on EBay for $270. That, some time, a few decals and lots of "sweatequity" and you can replace the FILON. It's not a "cap" but a sheet of fiberglass that's glued to the framework and then held in place with the trim molding.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/10ft-RV-Fib...-/272427466260

It's definitely a daunting task, but not impossible. I'd guess that if you tow it to a RV repair center, you'll be looking at $5-7K "out the door" for a turn key repair.

I am still NOT happy at all about going from a nice looking trailer I just bought 3 months ago to a crappy looking one. In one months time it went from barely seeing three small dents to a whole bunch of dents/bubbles. See the 4 pics to compare. The RV place I bought it from will be hearing from me and it won't be nice. I can understand if I had it a year, but it's only been 3 months for crying outloud!

That said, it looks like I will be hold the bag, so I will attempt to fix it myself. Are there books on this particular job I have to do. Online instructions? Time frame. I have a good helper, my brother in law. Can I get this done in time for my vacation in four weeks?