Cracks 2017 Georgetown 329DS

[Secarider]

Noticed this morning I have cracks just above rear taillights, passenger side in picture, drivers side only has one small crack. Not sure If these are just paint/decal cracks or down in fiberglass. Has anyone seen these?

[RJJ]

I had very similar cracks in the same area. Mine was "fixed" under warranty. Unfortunately the cracks have returned.


2015 Georgetown 329DS
2014 Chevy Equinox

[CA Fisherman]

I have the same cracks except they are all on the drivers side.

[Secarider]

RJJ, thanks for the response. Where the cracks just the paint or decals? Or was it down to fiberglass.

[Iggy]

I have similar cracks on my rear cap below the rear window.
I believe it is the main body pain that is cracking.
I had to climb out of the motorhome when the door locked failed and used the emergency exit and had to step out the window.
That was over a year ago and no further damage to the paint.

[RJJ]

Secarider, I was told it was just cosmetic (paint). It's not as bad since the repair, but it did come back. The shop that did it said they'd repair it again, but it would probably come back again. I just keep an eye on it and it hasn't gotten any worse in the last year.


2015 Georgetown 329DS
2014 Chevy Equinox

[Jim_bob]

I just saw cracks in the rear of my 2014 Georgetown a couple weeks ago. At least 6 or 7 places. They was not there 3 months ago and has not been on the road. 4,000 miles on the Motorhome. The dealer said they have fixed a lot of them. After talking to the shop manager for a while and getting friendly, he said the best thing to do would let the factory fix it. I called them, sent them some pictures and the set up an appointment for me.
But.. there is something wrong, mine cracked just sitting in the driveway. And there is another crack that appeared overnight. I had looked it over very close taking pictures and even measuring the lengths etc.

[AquaMan]

The expansion and contraction of the fiberglass is most likely cracking the paint. In the corners, the paint probably puddles some which makes it more susceptible to cracking.


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[MillerTime]

It is not just the paint cracked, it is cracked down thru at least the gelcoat and is most likely just from flexing. Paint is more flexible than fiberglass so it is not in just the paint.
Ever notice how many painted plastic bumpers are on vehicles these days. The paint doesn't crack on them until there has been an impact. Fiberglass, and gelcoat (which is just colored resin basically) is very rigid, so stress cracks happen to thin panels easily.

I know im not a georgetown or berk "guy", but i am a body guy that is putting in a coach and rv repair facility.

[Jmsx2]

Originally Posted by Secarider

Attachment 125619Noticed this morning I have cracks just above rear taillights, passenger side in picture, drivers side only has one small crack. Not sure If these are just paint/decal cracks or down in fiberglass. Has anyone seen these?

Dido. We had the same issue on our 2014 GT 328. Dealer took car of it under warranty last year. Great job and holding up very well.



John & Janine
Pazzo the Maltese
2014 Georgetown 328 TSF
2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (Toad)

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[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by MillerTime

It is not just the paint cracked, it is cracked down thru at least the gelcoat and is most likely just from flexing. Paint is more flexible than fiberglass so it is not in just the paint.
Ever notice how many painted plastic bumpers are on vehicles these days. The paint doesn't crack on them until there has been an impact. Fiberglass, and gelcoat (which is just colored resin basically) is very rigid, so stress cracks happen to thin panels easily.

I know im not a georgetown or berk "guy", but i am a body guy that is putting in a coach and rv repair facility.

Then you know that there is a flex additive in the paint to keep it from cracking on plastic car bumpers. It was stated by at least one poster that the cracking was merely cosmetic (paint). I'm guessing that FR is relying on the the paint's natural ability to flex some and no additive was added. You also know that the paint is going to puddle in the creases and thick paint cracks easier. This is not to say that the gel coat isn't cracking, but that it could be just the paint.


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[MillerTime]

Originally Posted by AquaMan

Then you know that there is a flex additive in the paint to keep it from cracking on plastic car bumpers. It was stated by at least one poster that the cracking was merely cosmetic (paint). I'm guessing that FR is relying on the the paint's natural ability to flex some and no additive was added. You also know that the paint is going to puddle in the creases and thick paint cracks easier. This is not to say that the gel coat isn't cracking, but that it could be just the paint.


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We haven't used flex additive in many many years in the automotive world (or boat and rv world). I've been doing paint work for almost 20 years and I've never seen anyone use it. Yes we charge for it since insurance companies keep paying for it and we can recoup material costs, but nobody uses it or needs to with the modern paints that have been used the past 20- 30+ years.

If you look closely at the op's pic, you will see cracking on the left side in the flat area. This is where the gelcoat is cracked under the paint. I guarantee anyone that it is not cracking in just the paint. Especially on a 2017 unit.

I deal with this stuff everyday so its pretty obvious to me.

(Oh and back in the day when flex additive was used, it evaporated out of the paint in a few days. It just helped to keep the paints more flexible so you could get the part installed )

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by MillerTime

We haven't used flex additive in many many years in the automotive world (or boat and rv world). I've been doing paint work for almost 20 years and I've never seen anyone use it. Yes we charge for it since insurance companies keep paying for it and we can recoup material costs, but nobody uses it or needs to with the modern paints that have been used the past 20- 30+ years.

If you look closely at the op's pic, you will see cracking on the left side in the flat area. This is where the gelcoat is cracked under the paint. I guarantee anyone that it is not cracking in just the paint. Especially on a 2017 unit.

I deal with this stuff everyday so its pretty obvious to me.

(Oh and back in the day when flex additive was used, it evaporated out of the paint in a few days. It just helped to keep the paints more flexible so you could get the part installed )

I concede, surely you know more than I.

[MillerTime]

Originally Posted by AquaMan

I concede, surely you know more than I.

Your a manufacturer or oem supplier if i recall correctly and im a paint and body guy.
You have your specialty and this is mine.

Post #6 just shows that its more than paint.
Albeit most "fiberglass " on campers is cosmetic, but most feel that gel or fiberglass stress cracks are more than "cosmetic".

Sorry if you find me abrasive about this

[dhind]

Same thing. Fixed under warranty. We see how long before they come back.



Dave & Michelle
2015 Georgetown 270SS
Calgary, Alberta

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by MillerTime

Your a manufacturer or oem supplier if i recall correctly and im a paint and body guy.
You have your specialty and this is mine.

Post #6 just shows that its more than paint.
Albeit most "fiberglass " on campers is cosmetic, but most feel that gel or fiberglass stress cracks are more than "cosmetic".

Sorry if you find me abrasive about this

Not at all. I'm in tool and die as an OEM supplier and have to deal with painted and metalized plastic parts all the time.


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[MillerTime]

Originally Posted by AquaMan

Not at all. I'm in tool and die as an OEM supplier and have to deal with painted and metalized plastic parts all the time.


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Ok sorry.
I guess you shoot a single stage enamel or laquer? If so then you probably do use a flex additive.

[Secarider]

I will be dropping it off Thursday and have the list of things worked. Will respond after returned

[Secarider]

After almost 2 months, I have heard back from the dealer who has been fixing all the items I found during my PDI. He told me they took my coach to a local fiberglass specialist who stripped down the cracked areas and determined the cracking I am seeing is only pain. He stated that it looks s good as new, in which it is it only has 2000 miles on it.

[dlodico]

We have the same problem on our 2016 351ds on the rear cap where the tail light meets the wall. Going in for service this week.