Back panel of my 2015 passport

[Lvnlifeofriley]

Is it normal for the back panel to look like this? We bought this trailer used and the back already looked like this. I don't see any signs of water damage or leaks inside or out. I've read other threads that said the back panel on these trailers are floating. So is it supposed to look buckled like this?

[SargeW]

All of the wall panels should look the same. They are all built the same way, Styrofoam sandwiched between a sheet of Luan and fiberglass, glued and pressed together under pressure.

If it is buckling it sounds like delamination. Here is pic of what the inside of the wall looks like.

[Lvnlifeofriley]

Thank you for the picture. That helps alot. It's it something we can fix ourselves, or replaced by dealer only

[NH_Bulldog]

Not all walls are the same. Typically the front wall and sometimes the rear wall are sheets of Filon hung from the top and are “floating”. On my Passport, the front is curved and is Filon with fiberglass insulation batts behind it.

The top of mine at the back is a little wavy like the top of yours, but the bottom of yours is a good example of delamination, likely from water intrusion over time. It really isn’t a DIY project to fix it.

[Lvnlifeofriley]

Thank you.

[JRTJH]

ALL (not just some) Keystone trailers are constructed either with a fiberglass rear cap (high end option) or a "floating rear wall"....

The rear wall on your trailer is a "floating FILON panel" attached to the trailer frame ONLY around the perimeter AND where there are "wall penetrations" such as window frames, tail light mounts, access door mounts or such.

What I think you're concerned about is the "buckeling/warping" under the tail lights, but it is a "result of the panel sagging. Look near the top of your rear wall, above the top clearance lights and the roof molding and you'll see the source of the problem. The entire rear wall FILON sheet appears to be sagging.

If so, that is a problem in which the rear wall is "pulling away from the screws that hold the top aluminum molding strip and FILON panel to the aluminum frame tubing at the top of the rear wall.

Essentially, your rear wall, "top half" has sagged and as the sun hits it and the FILON warms, it "buckles as it expands" causing the "warped appearance".

It may never get any worse and remain "only an appearance issue" or it may continue to sag out from under the aluminum molding, causing a significant leak which could destroy the entire rear of the trailer if the water gets into the luan interior wall, seeps to the "laminated luan/foam floor" and then spreads unchecked.

[chuckster57]

Only true "fix" unfortunately is to replace the rear wall. Not that diffcult really just time consuming and labor intensive.

When we do them we usually use a LOT of staples on the perimeter so it doesn't happen again.

[Lvnlifeofriley]

When replacing, so you mean entirely new. Or can the skin and foam be reused if they are in good shape

[Lvnlifeofriley]

Thank you. That is very helpful

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Lvnlifeofriley

When replacing, so you mean entirely new. Or can the skin and foam be reused if they are in good shape

We order new filon skin that is glued onto a luan sheet. you can get Filon by the roll and then try to glue it to the luan sheet. We have done both ways and the pre glued is way better.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Lvnlifeofriley

When replacing, so you mean entirely new. Or can the skin and foam be reused if they are in good shape

There is no foam in the rear wall structure. It's a "hanging sheet of FILON" and the factory uses spun fiberglass insulation on that wall. As Chuck said, replacing it is the only "really effective way" to eliminate the current sag, and, backing the FILON with luan will help prevent future problems. You can buy FILON sheeting on EBay, at any RV parts store or RV service center. Smaller ones may need to order it for you, larger ones will probably have it in stock.

If you decide to replace it, consider getting decals before you start, or plan on having a "nekkid rear" for a while. Finding OEM decals that match YOUR trailer pattern might be a challenge, but the good news is that few people can "run around your trailer fast enough to see a different pattern" so getting something close from EBay is typically good enough for most trailers.....

[hazmat456]

Looks to me like the bottom was not installed correctly. I would remove the bottom termination bar, remove the vinyl cover and it is just screwed on. The panel should then lay flat. Reinstall the termination bar using plenty of sealant.
Good luck.

[hazmat456]

Originally Posted by SargeW

All of the wall panels should look the same. They are all built the same way, Styrofoam sandwiched between a sheet of Luan and fiberglass, glued and pressed together under pressure.

If it is buckling it sounds like delamination. Here is pic of what the inside of the wall looks like.

That is a side panel, the rear panel is not built the same way. It looks like the bottom has walked out of the bottom trim and just needs to be reinstalled.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by hazmat456

Looks to me like the bottom was not installed correctly. I would remove the bottom termination bar, remove the vinyl cover and it is just screwed on. The panel should then lay flat. Reinstall the termination bar using plenty of sealant.
Good luck.

If it were "just the bottom" I'd agree with your recommendation... However, look at the top of the panel, above the clearance lights and you can see where there is also a problem with the entire panel having "slipped down and is no longer held in place by the screws on the top edge of the panel...

There's a bigger problem than just the "bottom isn't laying flat".....

[hazmat456]

I don't think the top is much of an issue, there isn't much up there for support. The bottom is the concerning area. The tail lights, storage compartment and fresh water connection(?) are all pinning the panel from falling. That means the bottom center of the panel has been pushed up.Why? I do t really know. But removing the bottom termination bar should give the answer.

[Lvnlifeofriley]

Thank you for all the help