My 5th wheel is delaminating

Campingnownthen · 12-17-2018, 09:36 PM

Hey all, our 5th wheel has a pretty large area on the back of the rig that is delamming. Recently had all seams from top to bottom re-sealed but don't know what to do with this problem. I can't be the 1st person to have this issue. Sales people say I need to trade it immediately so I don't get 'stuck' with it. I'm not ready for a different one quite yet. So what do I do? Who do I call? Can I fix it myself? Is it even fixable??

Thanks in advance!

**wingnut60** · 12-17-2018, 10:14 PM

Make? Model? Where are you located?

Notanlines · 12-18-2018, 03:59 AM

Cathy, your Springdale being about 5-6 years old probably has a retail worth to you of about $20,000 if in very good condition. The delamination is tearing that price down already. I would be very wary about sinking much money in this RV. The rear of that RV is one large panel and would be very expensive to replace. The price for replacing this panel will be in the $7000 range. If the water leaks are fixed then you're good to go. Make sure you keep this end of the RV vented well with air moving until you are certain it has dried.

Campingnownthen · 12-18-2018, 09:34 AM

Sorry, it's a 2014 Springdale by Keystone, live in St. Louis, MO

Thanks!

Campingnownthen · 12-18-2018, 09:37 AM

Thanks for the reply. We just bought it from a private seller for $16k. It truly is in excellent shape. The previous family was not allowed in it except to sleep! No cooking, lounging etc. It even smelled new when we walked in it the first time. It has not leaked to date....knock on wood.

fjr vfr · 12-19-2018, 08:00 PM

Many 5th wheel trailers have some bulging in the rear. The rear is a flexible panel with fiberglass insulation behind it unlike the side walls which are laminated and should not bulge.
The reason for the difference is because all the electrical and cable/satellite wires run up from inside the back wall. That is why it is not a laminated wall.
If you brows through trailers at a dealer you will see many with bulging panels on the rear walls.
So before you think you have a problem check and make sure this isn't what's going on with your trailer.
Good Luck and safe travels.

Oh, and btw I would be careful of sales people!

stanleyz · 12-24-2018, 07:27 PM

You got the reseal late. If it is delaminating it has been leaking for some time. Can you post a couple pics. Hard to tell what you have without seeing it. Im not familiar with your brand but if it is delaminating on the very rear u must not have an end cap. Ir it is not really bad and they did a good job sealing you may be OK tojudt keep on trucking. If you can find any still damp areas that you can grt heat on with an air dryer it would be helpful. Once it dries it is imlikely any further damage will occur. As far as i know the only way to repair it is to install new fiberglass panels and that will probably cost more than you would want to spend. Or you could do what the previous owners did put it up for sale and hope to find someone who wont notice the problem. If you want to know how much moisture there is in the wall find a tech with a moisture meter. If its dried and sealed you could just keep on using. Sorry to be so long hoe this is helpful.

03Roadking · 12-25-2018, 12:24 PM

Is what you believe to be delamination on the rear cap or on a rear side panel? While delamination of the rear cap is not unheard of it isn't all that common. Bonded side wall panels is a different story. Take a coin, quarter or larger and tap on the area bulging and areas that are flat, if the bulging area has a dull sound compared to the flat area, it is indeed delaminated, if both areas sound the same it's most likely something inside that is pushing it out. Get back with more
information on just where the delam is.