2010 Forest river delaminated - badly!

Lorna · 04-21-2015, 06:10 PM

I have a 2010 Forest river trailer that has been used twice and has been stored in a COVERED storage unit. On the entire front the skin is rippling and lifting - also in a small spot in the back - I think it is a manufacturer defect - the inside is gorgeous - LIKE NEW.. Because it almost is! - I am now unable to sell it can you give me any advice?
I called the Manufacturer - they said seals weren't kept up?? or it was in the sun..so not a manufactures defect..but it's been covered.. and excuse me shouldn't a trailer be able to be in the sun -?
ANY HELP OR ADVICE?

crunchman12001 · 04-21-2015, 06:24 PM

Hi,
Welcome to the forum. What type and model trailer do you own? You only used the trailer twice in the last 5 years since buying it new? Do you have pictures?
crunchman

TURBS · 04-21-2015, 06:55 PM

Did it rain both times you used it?

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "2 nights"

AquaMan · 04-21-2015, 06:57 PM

The seals have to be maintained regardless if you use it or not. You say it was covered. Was it in a fully enclosed building?

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MartyQ · 04-22-2015, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AquaMan

The seals have to be maintained regardless if you use it or not. You say it was covered. Was it in a fully enclosed building?

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

As a newbie..... What seals have to be maintained? Photos would be helpful.

TURBS · 04-22-2015, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyQ

As a newbie..... What seals have to be maintained? Photos would be helpful.

Window, door and slide seals.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "2 nights"

DaveSchwartz · 04-22-2015, 11:36 AM

In storage, how were the jacks/stabilizers used and could the surface it was on shifted (over time or due to weather, i.e. freeze/thaw heaving)? What I'm getting at is that if there is any difference left-to-right between the weight on the stabilizers or jacks, that will put a twist in the frame that the floor will translate up into the walls as a shear force.

Not sure if you have a TT or 5er but when I park my 5er, I am always very careful to use a combination of 2-by lumber and plastic levelers to get within about a 1/16" difference under the landing gear side-to-side before starting to lift weight.

Not trying to place any blame - stuff happens - just trying to find out to keep others from having the same problem. Sorry about your luck.

Lorna · 04-22-2015, 01:10 PM

we bought it May 2013 from a lady who only used it once & then her husband died so she didn't use it - We were going to use it in the summer of 2013 but when we got to our destination in the mountains with the Trailer they had a cabin for us to use so didn't need to use it - so put it in a storage unit that has a huge overhang over the top so it would get a bit of morning sun. We did not use it or see it last summer so decided to sell it - when we went to get it to sell it the entire front was delaminated.I have more pictures.

Lorna · 04-22-2015, 01:11 PM

No - it has not been in the rain

TURBS · 04-22-2015, 01:12 PM

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but delamination occurs when there has been water intrusion.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "2 nights"

Lorna · 04-22-2015, 01:13 PM

No not an enclosed but rather a carport type of facility with a high overhang at a storage facility filled with RV's - I paid extra to have the side I had as it would only get a small amount of morning sun - not the harsh afternoon sun

TURBS · 04-22-2015, 01:16 PM

Actually I don't "think" that's delamination.
The front portion is not a bonded together material like the sides.
It's almost as if it's "warped" for lack of a better word.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "2 nights"

Lorna · 04-22-2015, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveSchwartz

In storage, how were the jacks/stabilizers used and could the surface it was on shifted (over time or due to weather, i.e. freeze/thaw heaving)? What I'm getting at is that if there is any difference left-to-right between the weight on the stabilizers or jacks, that will put a twist in the frame that the floor will translate up into the walls as a shear force.

Not sure if you have a TT or 5er but when I park my 5er, I am always very careful to use a combination of 2-by lumber and plastic levelers to get within about a 1/16" difference under the landing gear side-to-side before starting to lift weight.

Not trying to place any blame - stuff happens - just trying to find out to keep others from having the same problem. Sorry about your luck.

Thank you - we are in the desert - no snow & almost no rain (It was covered anyway) Stabilisers were fine & & trailer was still level after 1 1/2 years storage - on paved level ground.

Lorna · 04-22-2015, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TURBS

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but delamination occurs when there has been water intrusion.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "2 nights"

It has not had any water on it - so I think delamination can be water OR sun - it got morning sun... but again - that just doesn't seem right that this should happen from morning sun! I understand from a Forest River dealer hear that it is not uncommon down here so a few years ago Forest River have replaced the skins with a solid piece of fiberglass..

Lorna · 04-22-2015, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TURBS

Actually I don't "think" that's delamination.
The front portion is not a bonded together material like the sides.
It's almost as if it's "warped" for lack of a better word.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "2 nights"

I think you are right - its like the skin that has separated.

D. J. Schuler · 04-22-2015, 05:32 PM

Sure looks like the bonding material/glue and the outer skin had a bad reaction. Heat would cause both materials to "gas off" and react with each other. No water required. Either the bonding agent (glue) could have/been defective at time of manufacture. Other owners may have had the same issue and just said "Oh Well". I hope some other RVers support you.

Oakman · 04-22-2015, 05:55 PM

As the second owner of that rig I think you are probably out of luck getting the manufacturer to fix it for you. Unless of course you were to go to the FROG rally in Goshen.

Tonkatoy77 · 04-22-2015, 06:09 PM

It sure looks like delamination to me.

Turbs, you said the front is not the same as the sides. The Surveyer's I looked at when shopping for a trailer had the same material on all sides.

If you want to learn more about delamination, get on a Keystone trailer website. The Cougars had it bad from about 2006 to 2010. They said it had something to do with the way they pressed the material together at the factory.

TURBS · 04-22-2015, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonkatoy77

It sure looks like delamination to me.

Turbs, you said the front is not the same as the sides. The Surveyer's I looked at when shopping for a trailer had the same material on all sides.

If you want to learn more about delamination, get on a Keystone trailer website. The Cougars had it bad from about 2006 to 2010. They said it had something to do with the way they pressed the material together at the factory.

It's quite possible there are.
For some reason I thought it was just a sheet.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "2 nights"

asquared · 04-22-2015, 06:28 PM

It is possible for prolonged exposure to high heat to degrade the seals. Combine this with a covered storage unit that is open on the sides, a driving rain could get to it and cause your frontal damage. It's also possible the damage first occurred with the original owner and has manifested over time. Unfortunately warranties require regular maintenance and inspections whether stored inside or not. Sadly, unlike cars, trailer warranties are only honored for original owners. Sorry the news isn't better.

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