Sidewall Cracks - NOT Frame Flex

[Camp CA]

Ouch!!

I would ask the dealer to get an opinion on the likely cause and best repair strategy from Keystone. In my case, the repair strategy (front cap below the slide out) was to remove the fiberglass skin and weld in new aluminum strutural braces in the side wall, then reinstate the skin with an expansion joint where the skin joined the existing skin. Attached is a Keystone bulletin on sidewall repair strategy.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by Camp CA

Ouch!!

I would ask the dealer to get an opinion on the likely cause and best repair strategy from Keystone. In my case, the repair strategy (front cap below the slide out) was to remove the fiberglass skin and weld in new aluminum strutural braces in the side wall, then reinstate the skin with an expansion joint where the skin joined the existing skin. Attached is a Keystone bulletin on sidewall repair strategy.

I see this repair being done at FLRV every time I'm there...

[Camp CA]

I am assuming this repair is under the trailer's 3 year structural warranty. Since dealer cannot / did not repair it correctly per the Keystone repair bulletin then try to get a repair estimate and the file claim in small claims court naming the dealer and Keystone as defendants.

[RMcNeal]

Originally Posted by Foldbak

I see this repair being done at FLRV every time I'm there...

Never heard of FLRV. Can you elaborate? Is that another dealer name? I'm located in Jacksonville, FL but I wouldn't mind travelling to get the repair if necessary.

[RMcNeal]

Originally Posted by Camp CA

I am assuming this repair is under the trailer's 3 year structural warranty. Since dealer cannot / did not repair it correctly per the Keystone repair bulletin then try to get a repair estimate and the file claim in small claims court naming the dealer and Keystone as defendants.

Yes the claim is under the original structural warranty. Initial claim was made directly with Keystone in the first year of ownership, during the height of the pandemic, so delays in getting service appointment caused a great deal of lost time, several months of waiting.
AFAIK, neither the dealer nor Keystone have denied any claims and I have had no out of pocket expenses regarding the repair(s), I'm just frustrated at spending weeks/months to get a repair that lasts seconds/minutes, only to start the process over. And, the "repairs" are being made by cutting larger and larger holes into the side of our coach! What started as a 4" square, is now an area about 4 feet by 6 feet.

[Foldbak]

Sorry I should have been clearer. Folsom Lake RV. But their in Sacramento, Just a short 3000 mile drive

[RMcNeal]

Great! The one state I refuse to visit.

[Foldbak]

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

Great! The one state I refuse to visit.

I don't blame you. I live here for the weather

[RMcNeal]

Same for us in Florida. But not so much this week.

[jetskier]

Another thing to check is to see if the living room floor is separating from the walls. If you open the side compartments under those slides, you can look up and see. There's only a handful of screws holding it. On the ODS of the trailer, I had up to a 1/4" of gap. I added a bunch or #14x2-1/2" self tapping screws and fender washers to pull it together. The floor braces those walls either side of the living room slide.


The pics were taken after the repair. I went around every compartment front to back and added screws. A lot of them were loose from the factory.


The only issue I have had is the front bedroom slide stud break which I posted my fix to it. I never had the siding tear as it flexed in that expansion joint.

[RMcNeal]

Thanks. I'll check that. I have watched carefully and the stationary wall does not move when the slide extends or retracts, but I have not looked at the floor from beneath the slides.

[Jay Merritt]

May I add to the discussion?
We just discovered a crack (see photo) today when washing the Montana.

2016 3611 RL

Our crack is above the super slide on the driver's side at the back. The crack is above the TV/Fireplace section on the outside. It was not there the last time it was washed.

It is not the bedroom slide known for frame flex. It is the hydraulic super slide at the top.

(the photos turned 90° when uploaded)

[Foldbak]

Ouch! That's a doozy of a crack! Most likely caused buy the same issue as the bedroom. A cracked or broken frame weld. Any slide opening is susceptible to frame flex. Good luck and let us know the outcome please.