Fender skirt is a wind scoop!

[Mikendebbie]

On my unit the curb side fender skirt is split into two parts and the long piece of the skirt moves out with the slideout...but the front of the fender skirt on the slide acts like a wind scoop when we travel. I always thought the wind scoop would put undo pressure on the fender skirt. There is a fender screw about 6” from the front of the scoop so the cantilevered scoop is only about 6” long. Last year I secured all the fender screws and put silicone on the back side and they have all held up.

Today DW noticed the cantilevered piece and it’s silicone caulk has come loose and I’m sure it vibrates in the wind during travel. Does anyone have a solution to a fix to keep the wind scoop anchored in place? Or should I not worry about it?

[Last2Die]

Mine ripped off in Arizona. I had to pull over and take it off before it caused any damage. I put rubber washers on the back of the fender, since it doesn’t sit flush and put the spring clips (if that’s what their called I forget) on the back side. I’ll check it again before another trip.

Tony

[DQDick]

We had that on our 2010. Secured the fender with speed nuts and never had an issue before we traded it in after about 70,000 miles of towing.

[Mikendebbie]

Once upon a time last year I thought about filling the scoop with some sort of Great Stuff foam - fill up that 6” end and cut the foam off flush so that it would no longer act a a wind scoop and therefore not stress the piece of of fender skirt that the wind is trying to tear up. I would need to find a foam that will not deteriorate in sunlight. I still might do that. Is it worth a try? Is there a downside to that idea?

[rohrmann]

If spring nuts, https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-4-C...g-Nuts/3013171 won't work or you aren't trusting of them and still would like to fill the void, you can get pond foam https://www.lowes.com/pd/Dow-GREAT-S...ion/1000040497 that should be able to handle exterior exposure, and after setting up for a while, I'm sure you could cut it off and paint it so it would blend in with the plastic fender. I used the spring nuts and haven't had any movement from the fender.

[Mikendebbie]

The portion I am concerned about is the unsupported 6” in front of the fender anchor. The fender screw is tight and secure with lock nuts and silicone I put on it. I will check out the great stuff at Lowe’s.

[Mr Mustang]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

If spring nuts, https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-4-C...g-Nuts/3013171 won't work or you aren't trusting of them and still would like to fill the void, you can get pond foam https://www.lowes.com/pd/Dow-GREAT-S...ion/1000040497 that should be able to handle exterior exposure, and after setting up for a while, I'm sure you could cut it off and paint it so it would blend in with the plastic fender. I used the spring nuts and haven't had any movement from the fender.

Thank you for the spring nut advice bro! ✌🏻️

[mlh]

Originally Posted by Mikendebbie

Once upon a time last year I thought about filling the scoop with some sort of Great Stuff foam - fill up that 6” end and cut the foam off flush so that it would no longer act a a wind scoop and therefore not stress the piece of of fender skirt that the wind is trying to tear up. I would need to find a foam that will not deteriorate in sunlight. I still might do that. Is it worth a try? Is there a downside to that idea?

I don’t see any downside at all. I filled a similar piece of plastic on my Motor Home. It strengthened it and prevented it from getting broken again. I don’t think it will get enough sunlight to hurt it. If it does no problem just whittle some out and replace it.
Lynwood

[Daryles]

The foam itself is a great adhesive (try getting it off something). It should hold the scoop tight.

[davemitchell59]

I used aluminum strapping behind the screws. That has helped. But the whole assembly still flopped in the wind and I had to keep and eye on the screws and tighten them down from time to time.

During a recent visit to a service center for other issues, I asked them to take a look at it. They reinforced the rounded skirting that the fender skirt is mounted to also. We only towed it home after the repairs were finished, but it seemed to be flopping a lot less. I haven't crawled under the rig to see what they did, but it certainly feels firmer.

[CaptnJohn]

Don't have that problem with my Montana but did on a Cougar. I went to a local scrap yard and took the door weather stripping off a totaled Chevy truck. No charge. Bought the proper cement at NAPA and no more wind scoop.

[rustynail]

Filled all fender skirts with great stuff foam for windows. Doesn’t expand like normal great stuff. Been in there two years never a problem. Stiffens them up and foam is also an adhesive

[azwiz]

Pics please !

[rustynail]

Sorry. Can’t do pics. Just had knee replaced two weeks ago. But squirt foam in between fenders and skirting from trailer side wherever you can get the nozzle in. When driving you get no more wiggling of skirting from wind because solidly adhered to skirt
Mary Christmas everyone

[azwiz]

actually looking for pics how to use spring nuts
Thanks