exposed luan wood under slide outs

[5forcamping]

under both slides along outside wall this "luan" is exposed/unsealed about 1.5" and runs horizontally the length of the slide out. the dealer doesn't think keystone will authorize/pay for any procedures to rectify this. dealer also stated that luan is water resistant. anybody know about luan being water resistant?

[Handysam]

Some luan is not water resistant, some is, if its manufactured with water resistant glues. If I understand this correct, its on the outside edge of the slide? If its on the outside portion of the slide, you could prime it and paint it with an exterior grade paint for protection. But I would think Keystone would have some explaining to do as to why its exposed and not covered. Happy Camping, Sam

[jq1031]

I would agree with Sam, if it's exposed on the outside of the slide, it's definately a issue for them. Also, it's a cosmetic problem and takes away from the appearance of your RV no matter if it's on the bottom side. Call KEYSTONE customer service & explain the situation, especially the remarks of your dealer! They should at least have contacted Keystone on your behalf before giving you such a stupid answer!

[Festus2]

Futher to the posts by Handysam and jq1031..........
From all the information that I could find about luan, it is not water resistant and definitely not waterproof.
One article I came across states, "A major problem with luan plywood is that any type of moisture will seriously deteriorate the wood. It is, at best, 1/4 inch thick and made from wood usually derived from tropical rainforests. For this reason, the wood is not very stable and often made of a wide variety of scrap materials that will blister severly when any type of moisture is introduced to them."

In view of this, I would suggest that any exposed luan be coated with epoxy which you can obtain at marine or other fiberglass suppliers. Canoes and kayaks which are built from luan are epoxy coated.
In lieu of epoxy, several coats of high grade marine varnish might suffice.
In any case, if you cannot get your problem resolved by Keystone or your dealer and you need to do the fix yourself, I would be highly skeptical of any advice given to you by this dealer about luan plywood being water resistant. You need something that is waterproof and sealed. Also, it sounds like your dealer has yet to make an effort to contact Keystone to see if they will, in fact, okay the fix.
Hopefully, you will get authorization from Keystone to go ahead with this repair.

[5forcamping]

i'll try to be more specific. it is not on outside of wall. you have to get underneath trailer-on your back- and look at the underside of slide out wall. basically where the floor of slide out meets exterior wall & down couple inches is where you can see the luan exposed/unsealed the entire length of wall(horizontally). i sent pictures to keystone and waiting for their position on this matter. i forgot to mention the trailer is 2011 laredo 303tg in case any other owners want to check theirs-but it is probably not model specific. and i will seal myself if keystone chooses not to.

[jq1031]

Thanks everyone for all that information. I will check mine very soon ( at the storage lot) & follow the above advise if necessary.

[Handysam]

Another thing you could do, if its not to much trouble, is go to the dealer and look at other laredo's to see if they are the same. If not, you have more ammo for argument.

[Festus2]

As a further note to my post above, I believe it was Flyguy who noticed a similar issue with exposed plywood edges in the vicinity near the wheel wells of his Passport and did seal them up immediately. (This situation came up some time ago and he suggested that we all take a look at that area to see if any other members had the same problem with unprotected, exposed plywood.)

[SLIMSHADIE]

I read about this a year ago. At first I looked and didnt see it, I think the slide was in. Then I looked again with the slide out. The laun board, which runs the entire length of the slide, does not look treated and if it even was I would think it would wick moisture up. Half of the edge is over the tires. Anyways since its under the slide and behind the skirting I sprayed some "auto undercoating" over the exposed wood, 2 or 3 times. It wont be an issue now!

I do believe it an oversight by Keystone with a quick fix.

[chuck&gail]

Checked our 2010 Outback 230RS. Could not see any wood on or under slide, nor around wheel wells. Guess I dodged that bullet. Thanks for the warning, you never know!

[5forcamping]

keystone sent email this morning with the following statement - "The paneling that you are questioning is sealed in the laminating process when the walls are made." so i am off to auto parts store to find a sealer & do it myself. thanks for everyones input.

[DTJ9610]

when you get a chance can you attach the pictures to this thread.

Thanks

[tribalsimba]

bump... pictures... and I will do the same when I pick mine up on Monday; as well as chat with the dealer about it, if I see it. One thing I'm thinking is the underside of the slide is pretty well protected from the elements at camp; and theoretically speaking this underside is protected by the under-glacier covering when the slide is in; and camper is in tow. So; when are you concerned it may wick moisture??

[5forcamping]

when i am driving in rain or anytime trailer tires go thru water

[tribalsimba]

For What It's Worth:

I don't see exposed luan under my slides. Please let me know if I'm looking in the wrong place.

[SLIMSHADIE]

tribalsimba you are ok. The laun would be inbetween the fender skirt and the black webbing material.

[Handysam]

tribalsimba, that's what it should look like. No exposed wood.