I'm dealing with a frustrating recurring problem with my 2018 Holiday Rambler Vacationer XE 32A - the driver's side front fender has now detached twice while driving. The first time happened to the previous owner, and it just happened to me again on a highway, with the fender completely disappearing. This suggests there's something fundamentally wrong with how it's mounted, not just a one-time failure.
I've contacted REV Group directly, but they told me they no longer have the molds for this specific fender design. The dimensions are quite specific - it's 56 7/8" long by 25" tall, with the wheel opening positioned 28 1/2" from the front edge rather than centered. I've looked at some aftermarket options from companies like ICON, but they require significant modification to fit properly.
Given that this fender has failed twice now, I'm wondering what my best options are for both sourcing a replacement part and addressing whatever underlying mounting issue is causing these repeated failures. Are there reliable sources for Holiday Rambler body panels when the manufacturer no longer stocks them? And what should I be looking for to prevent this from happening a third time?
Holiday Rambler fenders can be sourced from REV Group parts department, RV salvage yards, or fabricated by fiberglass shops. The recurring detachment indicates a mounting flaw - reinforce attachment points during repair.
For your 2018 Holiday Rambler Vacationer XE 32A, you have several viable options since Rev Group discontinued the molds. Based on your specific measurements (56 7/8" x 25" with the wheel center at 28 1/2" from front), your best bet is either modifying the ICON fender you found (after verifying compatibility) or having a custom fiberglass shop fabricate one using your production drawings from Rev Group. Given this is the second failure on the same fender, you'll also need to address the mounting system to prevent future blow-offs. Expect costs to vary significantly depending on local labor rates, material availability, and extent of damage (consult multiple shops for accurate estimates).
The fact that this same fender has blown off twice indicates a fundamental mounting or structural issue beyond just normal wear. Holiday Rambler used a combination of mechanical fasteners and adhesive bonding for front fenders, but the mounting points may have been compromised from the first failure. Wind loading at highway speeds creates enormous stress on these large, exposed panels - your 56 7/8" fender acts like a sail in crosswinds.
Rev Group's discontinuation of the molds is unfortunately common in the RV industry where model-specific parts have short production runs. The Vacationer XE line was only produced for a few years, making replacement parts scarce. The asymmetrical design with the wheel positioned 28 1/2" from the front edge makes this a unique part that can't easily be substituted with generic fenders.
Common factors contributing to fender failure in West Virginia's mountainous terrain include sudden wind gusts and the Interstate's truck traffic, especially if the mounting system was already weakened from the previous incident.
SAFETY WARNING: Always wear safety glasses and dust masks when cutting fiberglass. Work in a well-ventilated area and use appropriate respiratory protection to avoid inhaling fiberglass particles.
Contact ICON directly and request their closest match part number along with detailed dimensions. Compare their measurements against your specs to determine exactly what trimming will be required. Ask if they have any customers who've successfully modified their fenders for Holiday Rambler applications - they may have modification templates or advice.
Locate a qualified fiberglass fabrication shop in your area that works with RV repairs. Look for shops with experience in structural fiberglass work, proper ventilation systems, and established quality control processes. Bring your production drawings from Rev Group (contact Rev Group first, as they may not provide these to individual owners) - these are gold for any fabricator and will save you significant money versus starting from scratch. Call shops that repair boat hulls or custom car body work, as they'll have the skills needed for RV fender work.
Inspect your mounting points thoroughly before ordering any replacement. Look for cracked fiberglass, pulled fasteners, or damaged mounting brackets on both the fender mounting area and the coach body. Take detailed photos of all mounting points and hardware locations. You'll need to reinforce these areas regardless of which replacement option you choose.
Consider reaching out to Holiday Rambler owners' groups on Facebook or RV forums - other Vacationer XE owners may have faced this same issue and found solutions. Post your specific model and fender dimensions to see if anyone has located NOS (new old stock) parts or alternative solutions.
If going with the ICON fender modification, start by creating a cardboard template of your original fender dimensions using the production drawings. This will serve as your cutting guide. The ICON fender will likely need trimming at both the front and rear edges, plus possible height adjustments. Use a fine-tooth saw or rotary cutting tool, making multiple shallow passes rather than trying to cut through in one go.
For wheel well clearance, test-fit frequently during modification. The asymmetrical positioning (28 1/2" from front) means you'll need to be precise with your cuts. Sand all cut edges smooth and seal them with gelcoat or marine-grade primer to prevent water intrusion and cracking. Note that modifying fender dimensions may affect vehicle aerodynamics and handling.
If having a custom fender fabricated, provide the shop with your Rev Group drawings plus detailed photos of the mounting points and hardware locations. A qualified fiberglass shop can create a mold from your specifications and produce multiple fenders (consider ordering a spare). Lead times and costs vary significantly by location and shop workload.
Regardless of your fender choice, upgrade the mounting system. Add additional mechanical fasteners at 6-8 inch intervals along all edges, ensuring mounting points can handle the additional load without over-stressing the fiberglass. Use stainless steel bolts with large washers and backing plates where possible. Apply structural adhesive (such as 3M 2216 or similar epoxy adhesive) to all mounting surfaces for redundancy. Always wear nitrile gloves and ensure adequate ventilation when working with structural adhesives. Torque all fasteners to the fastener manufacturer's specifications. The goal is preventing the catastrophic failure that's already happened twice.
This repair typically benefits from professional assistance, particularly for the mounting system reinforcement. A qualified RV service center can properly assess the structural integrity of your mounting points and determine if the coach body needs repair before installing a new fender. They'll also have access to structural adhesives and proper curing equipment.
For the ICON fender modification, consider having a professional fiberglass shop with RV experience do the cutting and finishing work. They have the proper tools to make clean cuts and can match the gelcoat color. Additional costs vary significantly by region and shop rates.
If structural damage exists around the mounting points from the previous failures, this typically requires professional repair. Compromised mounting areas will likely lead to another failure down the road. An RV body shop can rebuild damaged fiberglass sections and create proper mounting surfaces for your new fender using proper fiberglass repair techniques.
Help us improve this article by flagging technical issues or inaccuracies.
Was this guide helpful?
Try our free RV calculators and tools to help diagnose and plan your repairs.
Browse RV ToolsWeight calculator, electrical planner, propane estimator & more