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09-19-2015, 08:15 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 51
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Front cap fading issues
So on Monday I plan on going and getting the Apex 300bhs with the 50th ann. package that has the fiberglass front cap. I've seen quit a few with fading issues ( other brands ) and was wondering how this model has help up. I realize this may be a relatively new option but I dont want to spend this kind of money and it fade to white after a few years. Any thoughts on this?
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09-20-2015, 07:09 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 691
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Don't know about the Apex,but my Chaparral just showed fading about a week ago.At least that's when I noticed it. I always wash and wax the front,at least,before a trip.Haven't talked with my dealer yet.Our warranty was out in April. Hope to know something this week.We won't be home for awhile,but would like to have something settled before we get back.
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09-20-2015, 09:21 AM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 51
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good luck
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09-20-2015, 11:09 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Charlotte, MI
Posts: 226
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The fading issue, these are painted caps or tinted fiberglass?
__________________
2011 Brookstone 354TS
2013 F350 SC 6.7 DRW
Swivelwheel 58DW
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09-20-2015, 12:44 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 691
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I would think it's a gel coat,but probably painted.
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09-20-2015, 05:48 PM
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#6
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Cptn Morgan here
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Provo, Utah
Posts: 7
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At the RV show today my local dealer stated the cap fade was resolved in 2015 and 2016 models by applying a gel coat. I would assume the old was painted. Not for certain though.
__________________
2012 Prime Time LaCrosse 319QBS
2005 Chevy Crew Cab 2500HD
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09-20-2015, 05:58 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Charlotte, MI
Posts: 226
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Doing some more research, it does look like the problem is the colored gel coat.
__________________
2011 Brookstone 354TS
2013 F350 SC 6.7 DRW
Swivelwheel 58DW
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09-20-2015, 06:04 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 849
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Everything I hear is that fade is from bad gelcoat. Here mine.
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09-20-2015, 06:07 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Charlotte, MI
Posts: 226
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Wow, I didn't know the fading was that noticeable.
__________________
2011 Brookstone 354TS
2013 F350 SC 6.7 DRW
Swivelwheel 58DW
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09-20-2015, 07:20 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Elkton, MD
Posts: 559
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My 2015 Chaparral is having the fading issue as mine has the dark brown cap. What a mess. Dealer does not want to deal with it so I have been in touch with Coachmen and under warranty they will fix it but I have to find a body shop, provide them with a quote, they need to approve, I pay and then they reimburse me. The dealer that I bought this from sucks.
__________________
Joe and Diane Buskirk
2015 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Duramax Diesel 4x4 SWD
2015 360IBL Coachmen 5th Wheel
"Camping is not just a past time it is my relaxing way of life"
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09-20-2015, 07:28 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Seaford, De
Posts: 2,377
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my brown Chaparral cap has started showing fading this year also. I see that they cured the problem for the 2015 model year by putting white caps on. Less noticeable if it fades.
__________________
David & Lynn 2014 Coachmen Chaparral Signature 327 RLKS 2016 Ford F350 Lariat CC Dually
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09-20-2015, 07:29 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 981
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My black 2015 is turning grey in the front center. I know its painted because i chipped a corner on my in bed transfer pump in a more than 90* turn.
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09-20-2015, 07:29 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Everett, Washington
Posts: 170
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There is another big thread on this very subject do a search and you will find a lot of problems with the gel coat if it is not painted.
__________________
Mike, Lisa and Jake
2002 Ford F250 CC 7.3
2013 Wildcat Sterling 32RL
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09-20-2015, 08:28 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 691
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Mine is a 2015 also. A very early 2015. Got it in April 2014. Dark brown and all the way across and down to the decal. Can't post a pic on my phone.
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09-21-2015, 12:06 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 58
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MMattox
There is another big thread on this very subject do a search and you will find a lot of problems with the gel coat if it is not painted.
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Keep up the pressure on the factory and their many divisions cause it's happening all across Forrest River Products, many issues in the Cedar Creel camps with caps, Grey, Tan. Some of us are really pushing the issue cause it's a know problem and my unit is out of warranty and only 2 1/2 years old. Industry problem!!
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
__________________
Mike & Deb
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09-21-2015, 12:36 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 261
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My Wildcat showed no sign that I noticed when I uncovered the trailer in march, by mid may it was pretty noticeable. So I talked with the people at Wildcat earlier at this time. They said they were seeing a lot of this and that the gel coat was bad. They are paying to have the front cap painted this fall.
Awesome customer service.
__________________
Jim, Julie and Rags the boss.
2015 Dodge CTD 3500 Bighorn pulling 2014 Wildcat 317RL. Life is good when spent with family and friends.
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09-21-2015, 12:40 PM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Richland, MI
Posts: 7
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This is an issue affecting all manufacturers of any trailer with a dark colored front cap. I am dealing with it on my Keystone Laredo and currently debating on having my cap painted or trading in the trailer (considering the Freedom Express Liberty Edition 320bhds - they switched to white front cap for 2016). The problem is the gel coat is prone to fading (oxidation), similar to a boat. The only solution is a white cap or a painted one. Just like a car - if it's painted and clear coated, it won't fade. Most manufacturers now are either painting their front caps or going back to white. IMO the manufacturers should have known better when they switched to dark colored caps. They really need to issue a recall or at least step up and fix the issue when customers complain about it outside of warranty (which is most of the time).
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09-21-2015, 01:35 PM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: East Texas
Posts: 55
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Crusader Fading
I noticed the fading when I picked up my Crusader a few weeks ago and was out of warranty by a few weeks. The dealer was immediately of the opinion that it was warranty and has gotten everything approved and setup to have it painted, just talked to them this morning and they have the decals in and are waiting on me to drop it off.
__________________
Steven & Tiffany
2015 Crusader 296BHS
2013 Chevy 2500HD LTZ CC Z71
Camp as often as we can
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09-21-2015, 02:14 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Everett, Washington
Posts: 170
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I just had the manufacture "fix" mine. They replaced the cap. Told me that the gel coat now is better than it was 4 years ago. What i am wondering now is should i spend the money to have a clear coat sprayed on the cap now that it is brand new or take a chance?
__________________
Mike, Lisa and Jake
2002 Ford F250 CC 7.3
2013 Wildcat Sterling 32RL
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09-21-2015, 03:49 PM
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#20
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Mo
Posts: 25
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I have a 2014 wc and cap has faded badly. It Is grey. It is also a few months out of warranty. My dealer has given me contact info for a guy that refinished this problem. Dealer says forest river allows up to $1100.00 for the repaint. I called the guy that does it. He says grey was a bad color and fades easily. He says he sands the cap, puts a good base coat on to match the original color and then puts two coats of clear coat on. It will take a week. I will call him about two weeks before I am ready to take it to him. No money out of my pocket.
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