Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum - View Single Post - Collision Damage Repair

RBul31 · 11-10-2021, 08:47 PM

I just went through the Replacement of the lower panel on my Rig.
Surprising enough it is pretty easy.
1. The side panels come together under the trim strip down the side. Take that rim strip off and you will see it.
2. Uninstall all the trim pieces at the front, Underside, at the door area. Then the side panel will come off fairly easy.
3. Like many of the others has stated, If you can get a sheet metal shop to use your old panel as the template and cut you one out it will save you a lot of money. If you go to a RV shop and order the panel you will still have to use the template and cut out the openings BUT the shipping cost will eat you alive. When you find out what the RV Shop will charge for the panel.....Double it. The shipping charges are at least that much and with Gas going up...The sky is the limit.
4. Have an Auto Body shop Color match and paint it. You can get color matched paint at Auto Zone but it comes in Spray cans and cost about $18. a can and doesn't cover as well as a body shop.
5. When you get it ready to re-install get some help to slide it into place. It isn't heavy just awkward to handle and get all the edges to slide into the place you want them.
6. I replaced all the trim pieces. They don't give these away either and finding the Correct Color, Size and type of trim is not the easiest. Even the rubber inserts are a challenge. I actually put on some different trim pieces with inserts that raise up higher so I had room to fish wires. Adding cameras , lights or signals/sensors are a little easier with the taller Inserts.

When I reinstalled the panels I painted them with Pick-up bed liner material. It actually dressed up the sides and my hope is that it will reduce the rock chips and minor road damage.
I had not attempted anything like this before I had this need, but it went very well and I learned alot about my RV while doing it. I would suggest that you research the trim pieces, the inserts, replacement screws, the price of Panels and Painting prices to get a good estimate. I figured it had to be done because having the dented Panel was driving me crazy so I just jumped into it. Now I am going to repair and/or replace my roof and change out the flooring inside the main living area. I had so much fun that it gets addictive to continue with more DYI projects.

11-10-2021, 08:47 PM	#10
RBul31 Established Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Urbana Posts: 31 M.O.C. #26968	Replacing Lower Panel. I just went through the Replacement of the lower panel on my Rig. Surprising enough it is pretty easy. 1. The side panels come together under the trim strip down the side. Take that rim strip off and you will see it. 2. Uninstall all the trim pieces at the front, Underside, at the door area. Then the side panel will come off fairly easy. 3. Like many of the others has stated, If you can get a sheet metal shop to use your old panel as the template and cut you one out it will save you a lot of money. If you go to a RV shop and order the panel you will still have to use the template and cut out the openings BUT the shipping cost will eat you alive. When you find out what the RV Shop will charge for the panel.....Double it. The shipping charges are at least that much and with Gas going up...The sky is the limit. 4. Have an Auto Body shop Color match and paint it. You can get color matched paint at Auto Zone but it comes in Spray cans and cost about $18. a can and doesn't cover as well as a body shop. 5. When you get it ready to re-install get some help to slide it into place. It isn't heavy just awkward to handle and get all the edges to slide into the place you want them. 6. I replaced all the trim pieces. They don't give these away either and finding the Correct Color, Size and type of trim is not the easiest. Even the rubber inserts are a challenge. I actually put on some different trim pieces with inserts that raise up higher so I had room to fish wires. Adding cameras , lights or signals/sensors are a little easier with the taller Inserts. When I reinstalled the panels I painted them with Pick-up bed liner material. It actually dressed up the sides and my hope is that it will reduce the rock chips and minor road damage. I had not attempted anything like this before I had this need, but it went very well and I learned alot about my RV while doing it. I would suggest that you research the trim pieces, the inserts, replacement screws, the price of Panels and Painting prices to get a good estimate. I figured it had to be done because having the dented Panel was driving me crazy so I just jumped into it. Now I am going to repair and/or replace my roof and change out the flooring inside the main living area. I had so much fun that it gets addictive to continue with more DYI projects.