Results for "delamination"

Exterior Hard 2-8 hours for temporary fix, 1-5 days for permanen 213 👍 1

RV Sidewall Blistering & Delamination Repair Guide 2024

According to three different RV shops, fixing my bubbling sidewall delamination will cost thousands, but I'm wondering if tackling this DIY repair myself is actually feasible. My 2004 Itasca Sunova has decided to sprout some lovely blisters on the right sidewall - two beauties that are about 12-14 inches long and 3-4 inches wide, running vertically right behind the awning arm. Perfect timing since we're currently on the road living our best RV life!

I'm pretty sure water snuck in somewhere (probably from the roof rail or that shower skylight we never use), and now my RV looks like it's got chicken pox. Since we can't exactly pull into the nearest RV surgeon's office, I need to know: what can I do right now to stop this from getting worse, and what's involved in actually fixing this mess properly? I'm hoping there's some kind of emergency containment plan that doesn't involve duct tape and prayers! …more

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Exterior Hard 2-4 hours 125 👍 0

How to Fix RV Garage Door Delamination: Complete Repair Guide 2024

Finally facing the inevitable with my 1994 Fleetwood Jamboree Rallye garage doors that are 30 years old and completely delaminating at the seams — repair or replace? The extruded aluminum frame corners that are supposed to be screwed together are failing because the screws keep breaking under stress. What started as minor separation has now progressed to the point where the structural integrity of the entire door system is compromised.

I've noticed that not only are the corner joints failing, but the door panels themselves seem to be separating from their backing material, and the weather seals around the perimeter are starting to pull away as well. The doors don't close properly anymore, leaving gaps that let in water and debris. I'm concerned about further damage to the garage area and contents if I don't address this comprehensively.

I need a complete repair approach that addresses the delamination issue, reinforces the structural components, and replaces the failing seals. Simply adding corner braces feels like a band-aid solution, and I'm worried about drilling out the broken screws without causing more damage to the aluminum frame. What's the proper way to tackle this type of comprehensive garage door repair on an older RV? …more

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General Medium 2-4 hours 112 👍 0

Thor Ace Fiberglass Rear Cap: Repair and Maintenance Guide

Halfway through my first RV ownership experience, Camping World dropped the bomb that my Thor Ace 29.2's rear cap has delamination and I'm completely clueless. The back doesn't feel like typical fiberglass - none of the other sides move like this. Is this movement normal for this RV model, or is it a sign of serious damage? …more

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Best RV Surge Protectors

4.6 (14,200 reviews)

Exterior Medium 2-3 hours 104 👍 0

RV Roof Leak Around Air Conditioner: Complete Repair Guide

Around noon Saturday I'm planning to tackle this stubborn RV roof leak by my air conditioner — what tools should I gather beforehand? My rooftop air conditioner is letting water in every time it rains, and when I climbed up there (probably looking like a graceful gazelle), I can see the sealant around the AC unit is definitely cracked and peeling.

I'm standing in the RV section of the hardware store looking at about 47 different tubes of sealant, and I have no idea which one won't turn into another cracked mess in six months. What's the best product to properly reseal around an RV air conditioner? I'd rather not repeat this whole 'indoor rain shower' experience again! …more

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Solar Batteries Medium 2-3 hours 99 👍 0

RV Solar Panel Z Bracket Installation: Drill vs Adhesive Mounting Guide

Ready to mount solar panels on the roof but torn between drilling through the fiberglass with Z-brackets or using VHB tape adhesive mounts. Terrified of roof leaks from drill holes but also worried the adhesive won't hold at highway speeds. Which mounting method actually holds up long term? …more

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Slideouts Hard 4-8 hours 93 👍 0

How to Lift RV Slideout for Floor Repair - Safe Methods

Apparently my 2000 Allegro Bus slideout only starts sagging and needing floor repair when it hits 85 degrees outside — works perfectly fine otherwise. We discovered water damage under the slideout and need to replace some plywood subflooring, but there are screws I can only access if I lift the slide somehow.

I'm worried about damaging the slideout mechanism or worse, having it fall and hurt someone. The hydraulic system seems to work fine, but I've heard you shouldn't trust it alone for this kind of work. What's the safest method to lift and support a slideout while doing floor repairs underneath? I want to make sure I'm not making a dangerous mistake here. …more

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Exterior Medium 2-4 hours 91 👍 0

RV Awning Repair vs Replacement: When to Fix Torn Fabric

Apparently my RV manual says to replace the entire awning when the fabric tears, but everyone online seems to just patch or swap the fabric instead. My 2020 motorhome's awning fabric has developed a few tears - some small ones that are maybe 4-5 inches, but also a couple larger rips. The fabric also feels kind of stiff and brittle in places, especially where it's been exposed to the most sun.

I'm trying to figure out if I should attempt repairs or just bite the bullet and replace the fabric entirely. The frame itself seems to be in decent shape, so I think I'd only need new fabric rather than a whole new awning system. I've seen repair tapes advertised but I'm not sure if they actually work or how long they last.

What's the general rule of thumb for when awning fabric can be repaired versus when replacement makes more sense? And if I do need to replace just the fabric, what should I expect to pay for something decent? Thanks for any advice - I really don't want to make the wrong choice here! …more

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Exterior Medium 2-4 hours 89 👍 0

RV Window Seal Leaking: Complete Repair Guide & Solutions

Opened up my RV window seals yesterday thinking I fixed the leak, but water's still dripping through during today's downpour — what did I miss? The rubber seals around the frames are obviously shot, all cracked and dried out looking.

I'm torn between two approaches here: should I take the time to completely remove the old seals and put in new butyl tape/rubber sealing, or can I just run some caulk over the existing stuff and call it good? Looking for the best long-term fix that'll actually keep me dry! …more

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Exterior Easy 2-3 hours for application 86 👍 0

Max's Vinyl Decal Restorer Review - RV Graphics Results

About to give up on Max's Vinyl Decal Restorer after treating my faded RV graphics yesterday — they still look dull and lifeless, did I mess something up? You know the drill - see something on social media, think "this is THE ONE," order it with way too much hope, and usually end up disappointed.

Well, I just tried Max's Vinyl Decal Restorer after seeing it recommended online. I prepped the graphics with Soft Scrub and a big sponge (nothing too harsh), then applied a few coats of Max's. The results aren't "like new" but definitely a great improvement over the sad, sun-beaten decals I started with.

Here's the real test though - after application, my RV survived a week of solid rain, then a week of camping, followed by a full soapy wash. And the graphics STILL look good! Has anyone else tried this stuff? Am I getting my hopes up for nothing, or did I actually stumble onto something that works? …more

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Engine Easy N/A - informational 77 👍 0

2001 Triple E Diesel Pusher Buying Guide: Critical Inspection Tips & Red Flags

Standing next to my neighbor's flawless 2001 Triple E Signature diesel pusher makes the concerning issues on this one I'm considering buying even more obvious. Never owned a diesel coach before, only gas units. At 24 years old, what are the critical inspection points I should focus on? Should I be concerned about the age, or is Triple E known for quality construction that holds up over time? …more

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Exterior Hard 2-4 hours 73 👍 0

Monaco Windsor Driver Window Removal: Complete Weight, Safety, and Replacement Guide

Driver side window on my Monaco Windsor needs to come out for a seal replacement but this thing is massive — easily 80+ pounds of curved glass. Trying to figure out how to safely remove it without dropping it or cracking the frame. Two-person job minimum but need to know the actual process. …more

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Best RV Generators

4.6 (18,900 reviews)

Exterior Medium 1-2 days 70 👍 0

Complete Fiberglass RV Roof Repair Guide: Products, Techniques & Step-

Noticed a crack spreading across my fiberglass roof near the front cap after last month's hailstorm. Water is starting to seep in around the edges and I know if I don't fix this soon the whole roof deck will be rotted by next season. Never done fiberglass repair before but the shop wants $4,000. …more

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General Medium Several days for quotes 69 👍 0

RV Windshield Damage: Repair vs Total Loss Decision Guide

Around $3,200 to replace both front windshields on my 2005 Fourwinds Hurricane after they popped out and cracked, wondering if this is even worth fixing. I'm staring at a $2,400 glass estimate, but my gut tells me this is just the tip of the iceberg since there's likely structural damage behind all this mess.

I'm at that classic RV crossroads where I need to decide: throw good money after bad trying to fix this thing properly, or admit defeat and salvage/sell it as-is? The glass quote alone has me wondering if I'm looking at one of those repair jobs that costs more than the rig is worth. Anyone have guidance on how to make this painful financial decision? …more

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General Medium Several weekends 65 👍 0

Thor Avanti RV Renovation Guide: Interior Upgrades & Replacement Options for 2012 Models

Pulled the trigger on a 2012 Thor Avanti repo as my first RV purchase, but I'm completely clueless about what condition red flags to look for. The interior is... let's call it "lived in" to be charitable. The U-shaped dinette looks like it hosted a wrestling match, and I'm pretty sure something died in those cushions.

I'm wondering if I can swap out that sad dinette for a jackknife sofa instead? And don't get me started on the flooring - it's so worn I can practically see through to the ground. Is it realistic to replace RV flooring, or am I signing up for a special kind of torture?

Oh, and can I ditch whatever prehistoric mattress is in there for a real full-size one? Basically, is renovating a Thor Avanti actually doable, or should I just keep scrolling through RV listings and pretend this hot mess doesn't exist? …more

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