Sudden unusual crack in fiberglass wall

[LeePat]

We just finished a 2 year rebuilding, replacing & updating our 2006 Montana 3500rl we bought from a private owner. We were clueless but now we know it inside & out.

A week ago we hired a company to cut & buff the fiberglass so we have been looking at the surface a lot since it was totally botched. (Different issue. :facepalm) This am we saw a curving crack that runs in an arc from one edge of a side wall around to the adjacent wall - not straight in a direction.

Any ideas how to trouble shoot or resources to research? Not sure of the depth yet.

Note. We are full time & stationary. It has not been moved since locating here.

[BB_TX]

A picture(s) of the crack would certainly help on suggestions.

[LeePat]

Just added a photo to my post. My husband said he couldnt get it to show in a smaller photo. It’s near the exterior LED flood light.

[Carl n Susan]

A picture from further away to show where the crack is relative to any nearby openings will also help.

[LeePat]

Originally Posted by Carl n Susan

A picture from further away to show where the crack is relative to any nearby openings will also help.

Added. Hope the second helps. They are actually 2 cracks that pass! Not one after all.

[Foldbak]

I don't know of any easy quick fix. Fiberglass repair is a painstaking process. At least you're parked, so it shouldn't get worse. If you're not concerned about aesthetics I'm sure there's a sealant you can pit on it. At the very least seal it to keep the moisture out. They make fiberglass tape water activated or you could brush on some flex seal.
https://flexsealproducts.com/collect...QaAo71EALw_wcB

[LeePat]

Originally Posted by Foldbak

I don't know of any easy quick fix. Fiberglass repair is a painstaking process. At least you're parked, so it shouldn't get worse. If you're not concerned about aesthetics I'm sure there's a sealant you can pit on it. At the very least seal it to keep the moisture out. They make fiberglass tape water activated or you could brush on some flex seal.
https://flexsealproducts.com/collect...QaAo71EALw_wcB

We hope to resale in a few years & was working on aesthetics. This is insult to a long injury. Most concerned if it’s an indication of a structural issue underneath. We learned the hard way we can’t assume anything.

[Mikendebbie]

I tried to trace the crack by blowing up the photo. I can’t tell where the crack dies up by the scare light. Did you check the other side for a similar crack?

Just curious - have you “walked” the cap joint up on the roof to see if you can feel movement? I don’t mean for you to jump up and down on it - but put one foot centered on the cap joint with the other foot firmly on the roof. Take a step and put a bit of weight on the cap joint. Do that taking sort of baby steps all the way across the joint checking for movement, then turn around and walk back the same way. Don’t step off onto the fiberglass - it is not meant to support any weight.

This crack looks to me like the cap and some associated framing shifted forward. Be warned - I’m really just thinking out loud. I have no experience with this situation.

[rohrmann]

I don't know if it's the photo or just me, but that close-up photo sure looks like scratches, not cracks. There have been quite a lot of photos posted in the past, and this photo does not look like obvious cracks like all the others.

[RMcNeal]

I agree with Bob, it looks more like scratches in the photo.
I have several cracks around slides in the rear of my 3791RD. Most of my research into this is in the front below the bedroom slide, but in nearly every case they way it was tested was to hook up the front to the TV and transfer the weight to the truck slowly while watching the crack. If it is cracked, you should see movement between the two sections.
You could also dig aroung in the front framing where the propane tanks are located. Some of these rigs had cracked frames and supports in that area beind the cap.

[LeePat]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

I don't know if it's the photo or just me, but that close-up photo sure looks like scratches, not cracks. There have been quite a lot of photos posted in the past, and this photo does not look like obvious cracks like all the others.

Sigh. We wish. He’s sure it’s cracks & now he can see the top one starts at the gutter, not by the light. We’ve been taking pictures for a dispute with the detail company who didn’t use any wax… We just found this a week later & we’re stationary.

[LeePat]

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

I agree with Bob, it looks more like scratches in the photo.
I have several cracks around slides in the rear of my 3791RD. Most of my research into this is in the front below the bedroom slide, but in nearly every case they way it was tested was to hook up the front to the TV and transfer the weight to the truck slowly while watching the crack. If it is cracked, you should see movement between the two sections.
You could also dig aroung in the front framing where the propane tanks are located. Some of these rigs had cracked frames and supports in that area beind the cap.

That makes sense, but we’re sure it’s cracks. Photos are tricky. Our big need is to figure out the cause. We’re stationary because our truck won’t pull it, but he can inspect the front storage more carefully. We have a friend with the truck & attachment if needed.

Are you in Jax, FL? If so, know a reputable Detailer? We just had a horrible experience.

[LeePat]

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

I agree with Bob, it looks more like scratches in the photo.
I have several cracks around slides in the rear of my 3791RD. Most of my research into this is in the front below the bedroom slide, but in nearly every case they way it was tested was to hook up the front to the TV and transfer the weight to the truck slowly while watching the crack. If it is cracked, you should see movement between the two sections.
You could also dig aroung in the front framing where the propane tanks are located. Some of these rigs had cracked frames and supports in that area beind the cap.

Just inspected. Nothing obvious in the propane storage. Have you repaired your cracks? Most people have straight cracks. Not us. ����*♀️

[wed]

Send some more photos

[RMcNeal]

Originally Posted by LeePat

Just inspected. Nothing obvious in the propane storage. Have you repaired your cracks? Most people have straight cracks. Not us. ����*♀️

I am in Jacksonville, Florida. I wish I did know a good dealer. Mine is at Camping World in Jacksonville for the FOURTH ATTEMPT to fix the cracks. Keystone wants them to do the work since they paid them for the fix under warranty, however, I don't have any faith in them getting it fixed correctly. I wouldn't recommend taking it there.

[LeePat]

They are clearly cracks, not scratches. . Can’t find any structural issues in the propane bay. More concerned about continued damage from structure than cosmetics. Don’t even know whom to call.

[LeePat]

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

I am in Jacksonville, Florida. I wish I did know a good dealer. Mine is at Camping World in Jacksonville for the FOURTH ATTEMPT to fix the cracks. Keystone wants them to do the work since they paid them for the fix under warranty, however, I don't have any faith in them getting it fixed correctly. I wouldn't recommend taking it there.

Any ideas on an honest retailer? We just had a bad experience with one.

[firestation12]

The area you’ve outlined the crack is not a typical location where frame stress is found. I’m wondering if perhaps the right front of the cap came into contact with the tow vehicle’s cab in a tight righthand turn or perhaps an overhanging projection.

[LeePat]

We’re stationary for 2 years now.

[Mikendebbie]

To deepen the mystery for how a crack might develop in that location - I sketched in the theoretical aluminum tube framing for your sidewall. This is based on looking at the two screenshots below from the youtube video "Keystone wall construction". I don't know what it looks like exactly - but it would be something like this. The luan plywood-backed fiberglass panel is vacuum laminated across several studs in that area. Seems that a stress crack would be difficult to form in that location. I agree with the idea expressed above that sometime in your RVs past - maybe the nose was lightly impacted by a shortbed truck cab. It was not a sudden impact - but more of a slight push against the cab over a few seconds while backing into a tight site. The fiberglass cracked - but was not noticed until you guys started working on the finish years later - which in itself is hard to imagine.