New to me 2017 3731FL legacy edition

[Ram2487]

Hello everyone! I'm excited to be here and to learn more about our RVs from the community! There are a few things that I need to fix on mine, most of which I have an idea of how I want to tackle but I have one I'm not sure how it happened and have never seen before on an RV, and I was hoping to see if anyone could help me out with what could've caused this?

These pictures are from the exterior sidewall of a slideout. It's a weak area just in the FPR sheet not the wall itself and when I pressed on it that hole is now there. Does anyone have any ideas?

[Foldbak]

Perhaps someone attempted to patch it? The T bracket isn't factory either.

[Mikendebbie]

If it was mine - I might first try to get a small galvanized sheet metal plate cut - maybe 5"x5" to cover it and attach with recessed wood screws. I would not use silicone on this patch - but set the plate in a bed of Geocel Pro Flex RV and then a bead of Pro Flex around the perimeter of the plate. Let it dry real good for 3-4 days and then run the slides in and out to make sure the plate passes the wiper seals without affecting them. Make sure you treat the wiper seals with baby powder - it will cut down on any friction as the plate passes. You could spray paint it black with proper prep I suppose. I would think that any type of duct tape or micro-seal flashing tape (like eternabond) would start sticking to the wiper seals.

Maybe someone on the forum who has patched a hole like this will have a better idea.

I agree with Foldbak - the t-bracket on the corner was put there by a previous owner. I would leave it alone and just watch it to make sure it is not tearing up the wiper seals. Treat all your wiper seals with powder while you are at it. Makes them move in and out with ease.

[Ram2487]

Just wanted to give a quick update, I thought the wall was made of a fiberglass composite material but it's aluminum, looks like it corroded a little and made that hole. I used an epoxy I ordered for the fiberglass fill, it's hardened to where it's hard to the touch. I'll see how it holds up with use. Thank you for the ideas and information!