Design flaw ~~

[CaptnJohn]

My 5er, like some other RVs, has a slide over the axels on both sides. Currently, it is in the shop for the 1st and last warranty work. The door side slide ~~ the fender skirt is longer than the slide is wide by about 8"- 10". Most is attached to the slide but the end piece attached to the side.The slide end of the fender is attached to the lower trim. That puts it about 3/8" higher than the end piece. It also leaves a gap of about 3/4" between the two pieces. Going down the highway the slide portion scoops air. That portion pulled the fender leaving a small piece around the screw head and the fender flapping. Going to be replaced this time under warranty that expires in 10 days. Looking for something so this is not an annual repair.

[Alpine]

Yup.... has happened to me twice now! The first fix, I thought was great until my walk around.....and it was gone again. :banghead: I was thinking of just leaving the fender cover as one piece, instead of cutting off the 10 inches and attaching it the aluminum skirt! How could that piece sticking out when the slide is out look worse than the 10 inch piece missing? :D

[CaptnJohn]

Yup.... has happened to me twice now! The first fix, I thought was great until my walk around.....and it was gone again. :banghead: I was thinking of just leaving the fender cover as one piece, instead of cutting off the 10 inches and attaching it the aluminum skirt! How could that piece sticking out when the slide is out look worse than the 10 inch piece missing? :D

My 10" piece is toward the front so it would take the majority off. Still thinking about it, will be looking again when CW is finished with the replacement. The service writer said they see the same thing on all brands often. I would hope there is someone somewhere with a fix. I'm going to see if there is a means of attaching a flexible flap at the front that can be pulled out once the slide is retracted and ready for travel. With only 1 attachment point may not work... still thinking..

[slow]

Please post pictures. Members not familiar with the issue may then be able to make suggestions.

[jsmith948]

Not much you can do about the segmented fender skirt. We had the same issue on our 5er. I used the aluminum strips out of an old pair of wrist splints to fashion a semi rigid brace for the skirts at the leading edge of the segment that is attached to the slide. Keeps the wind from trying to pull the plastic skirt out/off.

[sourdough]

This is an ongoing issue with lots of trailers, mine included. Keystone replaced my fenders twice but couldn't figure out how to reinforce things to keep them from coming loose and flopping and flying off. I made my own metal reinforcements for the front of the fender on the slide, placed an additional metal reinforcement bar behind the fender then put washers under all the screw heads and 8x32 speed nuts on all the screws.....no more fender problems.....and I still have a brand new one from Keystone, in the box, in the storage barn!

[cmlong]

I had the same problem. when I replaced the fender I uses fiber glass matt and epoxy to beef up the back side of where the scres went through the fender.

Never had the problem again.

[CaptnJohn]

When I get it back with the new fender plans to remove the screws and reattach with SS 8 x 32 and washers will now be modified. Will still do that but will certainly do the fiberglass trick and will be looking for aluminum stock to add a brace or 3. Any additional ideas are still appreciated. I only want to do this once! Thanks!!

[srvnt]

Had to DIY reinforce my fenders too, probably better than a trailer engineer could do haha.