Underbelly paneling fell down

Michcamper1 · 05-16-2020, 10:19 AM

We picked up a new 2020 30RKQS. On the way home from the dealership the front of the underbelly paneling fell down and dragged on the road. We pointed it out to salesman before buying it because something didn’t look right with it. They fixed it by adding tape and then this happened when we returned to tow it home for the first time. If I push it back up there’s no way for paneling to completely enclose the underbelly. The dealership is now contacting the manufacturer on how it should be repaired. Does anyone have the model that can send me pictures?

Pipeman · 05-16-2020, 10:27 AM

I don't have a tt like yours but I have 5th wheel that had the same problem the last time we went out west with it. A panel was hanging down and some insulation went missing never to be found again. I got underneath the trailer and used self tapping screws to reinstall the panel. As far as I'm concerned your dealer should have fixed it properly right away. What no service garage? Terrible service in my opinion.

cboss · 05-16-2020, 10:56 AM

We had the exact same thing happen to ours, but we had about 10,000 miles on it when it happened.
I pushed it back up, screwed a metal strip on it, and covered the whole repair with Flex Seal tape.
It is still going strong 2 years and another 12,000 miles later.
I didn't mess with a warranty repair as we were 3000 miles from home and on a 9 month trip.

007matman · 05-16-2020, 12:19 PM

On my TT, I've had the underbelly off several times.

Typically, there is a metal strip that's attached to the metal framing. The underbelly is sandwiched between them.

Tundra 2014 · 05-17-2020, 12:49 PM

We were on a trip stopped for a break. I noticed a strip hanging down. I got underneath the trailer, realized the strips were only held on by by three 1/4"screw per strip. The one strip was missing 1 and the other 2 were loose on 7' strip. I used heavy duct tap to tape it back up. When we got to our camp site I added larger self tapping screws and several to each strip. Another ttestimate to FR quality construction-AHH! Luckily, I did not lose anything and did not hit a tank putting the extra screws in. Strange, on the side strips they put screws every 2"s, maybe they ran out.
I also noticed when they put the thin plastic side panels on, they used 2' tan sheet metal screws-they stick out 1 1/2".

Telstar · 05-17-2020, 12:50 PM

Our Cardinal has metal sheeting the underbelly. During a trip one time I noticed one sheet starting to fall. I removed it and when we got to our destination bought some screws and put it back on. Also added screws to all the other sections. I noticed the manufacturer started at the front working toward the rear. This means the overlap will catch the airflow if it starts to come loose. Should be the other way around.

brobinson0857 · 05-17-2020, 04:15 PM

funny. I gave my trailer a once over while still in storage. found same thing happining, but screw heads broke off (3) luckly I have heavy duty self drilling screws

Racefan14 · 05-17-2020, 04:38 PM

Yes this happened to us coming back from Kingman, very strong crosswind. At a rest stop people honking and telling us we were dragging the underbelly. Only four screws across front edge and no acres on the side edges.
We cut off what was dragging and duct tape ventilation up.
After going to Home Depot for materials we put the plastic back on the bottom with steel straps across with self tapping screws. It stayed secure the 1200 miles home.

safrog · 05-17-2020, 05:35 PM

Agree. Screw it in with self taping screws and use large washers.

Kimber45 · 05-17-2020, 06:20 PM

the dealer doesn't need to get ahold of the factory to figure out how to fix it, they want to know what the factory is going to pay them to fix, there is a right way to fix and a cheap way to fix and I wouldn't accept the cheap way

Comanchecreek · 05-18-2020, 10:03 AM

Typical dealer response, "need to contact the factory". Allows them to sit on it till they decide to do it, or you get tired of waiting and haul it out of there. Who's your dealer, Camping World?

wildcatter · 05-18-2020, 10:48 AM

The dealers and their stupid tape, my situation was totally different, my slide was hitting the floor when it went out and came in, the techs put tape on the bottom of the slide and said it was fixed, lets put it this way, I went thru 4 techs getting my camper fixed, my point is don't let them do a crap job and then pass the problem off to you later.

You may also like: