Rear Cap

[fwran]

Walking around the RV this morning before leaving a campground in Missouri. Saw this on the rear cap. Is this the start of the rear cap failing?

[Dapperdan]

Is that the only screw loosing up? It's hard to say at this point in my opinion but I would definately be keeping a close eye on BOTH sides of that rear cap!

Maybe Porthole can chime in with an opinion as to how his rear cap came loose and what his opinion would be.

Screws backing out on DRVs seems to be a wide spread issue, we had SEVERAL back out on our '15 RSSA! Along the sides rear of the wheel well on the off door side, along the rear cap on both sides and underneath by the pinbox. I had a couple of screws land in the pick up bed. :rolleyes:

Keep an eye out, good luck!! :mrgreen:

Dan

[Cummins12V98]

Hard to tell but is that fiberglass cracking?

[fwran]

Yes, the fiberglass is cracking and a bit has flaked off. The cap also seems loose.

[Cummins12V98]

Yep, you have the rear cap syndrome. Some say it's non existent......

[OCB]

Could temperature changes be part of the problem?

I have reading about this problem for several years, About 2 years ago I found broken and loose screws on both sides of rear cap. I placed about 10 screws and re-chalked. I watched but only 2500 miles. Then Medical and Covid-19 has had the RV parked over 14 month. The RV has been parked about 200 yards from the front door so almost daily I walk around it. Two days ago was no different. The front cap had had 2 screws backed out about 2 turns. Two screw twisted off at the head. These 4 screws were in 4 foot space. Since the RV hadn't been on the road only the wind and daily temperature changes must have some impact. Next week I will put ladder up to check all and order more screws.

Clay 2016 MS 38PS3

[porthole]

Hard to tell with your pictures?
Pic quality doesn’t allow zooming in much.
Can you take pic a little further back?

Year and model?

[porthole]

Yep, you have the rear cap syndrome. Some say it's non existent......

Have you seen my non existent videos?

[Cummins12V98]

Have you seen my non existent videos?

Yes, I have it also but some will swear it's a non issue.

[RangerSal]

I would like to see more pics. What year is your rig? There is a problem with the rear cap. I had a problem but the fix is not to hard kinda. You have to remove the spare tire and the piece it sits in and bolt a heavy duty L bracket to the frame and the aluminum brace that holds the cap.

[porthole]

Some caps need more then just the L bracket, ours is one of them.

[RangerSal]

I had extensive damage from our rear cap. I installed a l bracket with 4 bolts and no more move ment. I was able to pound out the dents. I can send before and after pictures. If you could send some pictures I would like to see them.

[Cummins12V98]

Post pics PLEASE!!!!!!

[RangerSal]

Here are the pictures before the fix.The whole back cap would sway side to side.It could be easily seen from driving behind But not no more.

[Cummins12V98]

Mine looks similar. Disgusting !!!!!!!!

[porthole]

Mine looks similar. Disgusting !!!!!!!!

I didn’t think yours was that bad.
So the ‘not a real thing’ has two levels, not bad - j’ust a little unsecured’ and ‘cap may fall off anytime’

[OCB]

Top picture is very interesting, 4 screws but the real world only saw 1 screw before the failure. Just like the staple stories, how many screws are actually needed and how many are broken or pulled loose before the you discover the problem.
Clay 2016 MS 38PS3

[Cummins12V98]

I didn’t think yours was that bad.
So the ‘not a real thing’ has two levels, not bad - j’ust a little unsecured’ and ‘cap may fall off anytime’

Mine in 2016 after getting home from the Factory. I added backing there but I still need to do a proper fix!

https://i.imgur.com/OthwEvTl.jpg

[RangerSal]

That really sucks! But I really think the L-bracket will stop the swaying and stop it from doing that anymore. It looks like someone tried to put larger screws in there, but that's not going to help either. You have to stop the swaying, or else it's going to keep doing that. DRV is aware of the problem, but isn't doing anything about fixing the rigs that have the issue. I think for the 2021 models, they've fixed the problem. But for the money we've spent on these rigs, this shouldn't happen. I think we should go after them with a class action lawsuit. Good luck and I hope this helps.

[Tjrob2000]

I would like to see more pics. What year is your rig? There is a problem with the rear cap. I had a problem but the fix is not to hard kinda. You have to remove the spare tire and the piece it sits in and bolt a heavy duty L bracket to the frame and the aluminum brace that holds the cap.
Ranger, would you post pics of the fix? I'm gonna look at a 2015 MS DBRS3 tomorrow and would like to know what to look for. Thanks.

[Cummins12V98]

Plenty of pics on this thread to get an idea of what to look for. Do a search for DRV rear cap fix.