So this just happened

[Scootsk]

Just returned from a 350 mile round trip to find this after arriving home. My question is, do I fix it myself (pretty handy) or do I try to get it repaired during this summer season? I do have the CW extended warranty but I have a feeling they will shoot down the repair or it will be months before it gets done, essentially ending the season.

[jsb5717]

It’s a subjective question and, IMHO, totally dependent on your skill and comfort level. If all the components are still OK then I’d fix it myself…would save a lot of time. In the process I’d want to know root cause. Something missed in construction? What would you need to do to prevent a repeat failure?

[GAinaMontana]

I had a bottom panel to sag like that. I removed the rubber strip covering the screw heads and removed the screws that were supposed to hold up the panel. The bottom panel had not been pushed up high enough for the screws to catch the upper edge. Pushed the panel up high enough a returned the screws. Quick and easy fix.

[DutchmenSport]

I'd fix it myself. You are right, if you take it in for repairs, this will probably NOT be a warranty item AND they'll have your camper for months.

As stated above, it should be a pretty easy and straight forward fix if nothing is broken or missing, you have the time, and are not afraid to do it yourself.

[Mikendebbie]

Similar thing happened to my unit a few years ago. We had stopped at a Walmart and I noticed it. DW and I popped it back in and I applied a bead of clear silicone (because I had some) along where the panel fits into the rubber gasket. It has not happened again. Your panel will need to placed back into the molding around the door. You should try this yourself. I will bet that you are done with it in 30 minutes or less. I would start popping it in under the door first and work your way back.

I looked at my skirt panel where it passes a door and there is sealant along the bottom of the rubber to hold the skirt panel in place. They use Pro Flex clear in the factory (not silicone) but if you have silicone - use it.

The second pic is a sketch of the way I remember the gasket and the J-panel - just to give you an idea for how it fits together. My sketch is probably not exact.
Here is a thread I started when it happened to us...
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=74626

[RMcNeal]

I've had great luck with our CW extended warranty. They have never denied anything I have put in for on either of my campers.
Having said that, I'm facing the same problem with the J wrap falling down on our unit. I'll likely try to repair it myself when I can get to it. I read of someone who actually pop riveted the J wrap to the trim piece that gets screwed into the side wall. In his case, the screws had caught, but the holes through the J Wrap were wollered (is that a word?) out such that they didn't hold anymore. Pop rivets fixed it.

[mlh]

I had the same problem with the bottom of the aluminum panel in Wyoming. I made a temporary repair on the side of a 2 lane road. I used coke bottle caps for washers. I held until I could get some real washers and then made a permanent repair when I got home.
You can fix it.
Lynwood

[twindman]

From my own experience and what others have said, these panels are only held in place by the metal piece that holds the rubber strip. But the screws do not go thru the panels. I had a lot of trouble including the back wall pulling away for about 3 years. Dealer fixed it once, but 2 years later started again and I fixed it. But a year later it was back. Turns out the studs above that rear panel had broken loose from the other framing. So a lot of flexing in that portion of the rig which loosens the panels.

[Scootsk]

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

I've had great luck with our CW extended warranty. They have never denied anything I have put in for on either of my campers.
Having said that, I'm facing the same problem with the J wrap falling down on our unit. I'll likely try to repair it myself when I can get to it. I read of someone who actually pop riveted the J wrap to the trim piece that gets screwed into the side wall. In his case, the screws had caught, but the holes through the J Wrap were wollered (is that a word?) out such that they didn't hold anymore. Pop rivets fixed it.

I think Wollered is a word. Here is a visual definition.

[JAWs]

Welcome to "crappy" (not the word I wanted to use) design 101!
My right rear J-wrap has fallen off twice now with the last fix including being glued between the wrap and the fiberglass wall.
I am so mad I want to get it fixed and sell the junk.

[Greg1780]

Can’t tell for sure by these photos but friends of ours had what looks like a similar crack in their RV on the return trip home from Florida this year. It was covered under warranty and about 1-2 weeks repair time someplace in Connecticut. Keystone has not recalled any RVs yet but I believe they are aware of a problem.
Also note their RV was out of warranty by two months.

[vapackerfan1966]

Originally Posted by Scootsk

Just returned from a 350 mile round trip to find this after arriving home. My question is, do I fix it myself (pretty handy) or do I try to get it repaired during this summer season? I do have the CW extended warranty but I have a feeling they will shoot down the repair or it will be months before it gets done, essentially ending the season.

I have a 2022 3781RL. Mine has done that in four places. I have repaired three of them, and re-done the CW repair.
My diagnosis is that there's too much frame flex.

[Rich Lazz]

you would think that KEYSTONE would have an answer for this by now...........makes me wanta keep my fairly-still-in-good shape '06.
Keep telling me stories please.

[dfryk]

Originally Posted by JAWs

Welcome to "crappy" (not the word I wanted to use) design 101!
My right rear J-wrap has fallen off twice now with the last fix including being glued between the wrap and the fiberglass wall.
I am so mad I want to get it fixed and sell the junk.

I'm not ready to sell but I've had to fix ours twice. Now it is loose again. Bungie cord this time. If an RV park doesn't like my Joe McGee fix-it, they can just fix it themselves.

[ToolMan]

The j-panel on my '06 2955RL is actually stapled to the side under the trim strips. Seems they're just trying to save a buck. The fix is 1/2" more height on the j- panel and a few staples or just enough material to let the trim screws hold it.

[Chef]

I am on a vacation trip right now and this same skirting slip happened to me. I pulled over during the drive and placed a 8 foot strip of Flex tape down the entire panel. It looks janky but it’s held until I can fix it in a couple of days.

[Scootsk]

Ok, today I repaired the J panel. Put a bead of silicon where the panel meets the camper, put in #6x3/4” screws every six inches. I hope it holds. There was only one screw holding the whole 10’ panel on and the aluminum failed there.