Cracking Gelcoat on Fiberglass Frontcap

[clarkbre]

I washed up the trailer yesterday and was disappointed to find a small section of gelcoat cracking in the fiberglass cap on the front of my trailer. We have owned it 11 months and there does not appear to be any damage from impact (a rock, ball, etc.).

2 questions:
1. Is this a known issue and does Forest River own up to it?
2. What is the proper repair for this?

Pictures:

[A32Deuce]

That almost looks like something hit it. Bird could have flown into it when you were not around. The cracks look like they spider,out some.

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

That almost looks like something hit it. Bird could have flown into it when you were not around. The cracks look like they spider,out some.

I thought that too; however, anything impacting that area would be difficult without hitting it from the side.

The red circle indicates where the cracking is. The surface area is more front to rear on the trailer rather than the front surface area of the cap. I could totally imagine a rock hitting the gray area that is square to the road but the area its cracking is well protected. There also is no indication of any impact as no area is actually chipped or scuffed, only cracked.

I spoke with my dealer today and after explaining the area to them, they are actually interested in what caused it.

[A32Deuce]

That is also a thin area in the molding process. I was going to cross the twin bridges from Jersey to Delaware and some clown cutting grass shot a rock across 4 lanes of traffic into my door. The mark looked just like yours.

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

The mark looked just like yours.

Not sure I wanna know the an$wer.....but what's the proper fix and cost?

[ard58]

Following- what is the proper fix?

[sasems]

There are two layers of material. The top being the hard, almost brittle, gelcoat. Your cracks are in the gelcoat. The layers under that are fiber glass that is less brittle and will take some flexing. I have not seen the backside of a cap but I'm betting it is blown glass and not cloth or roving (two kinds of fabric). Blown glass is short strands of glass fibers cut and mixed with resin in the equipment and sprayed into the mold once the gelcoat has cured. This kind of structure has inherent weak places because of the random glass orientation and often, thin places leave a soft spot. I would say something soft hit your cap and a good speed with enough weight to flex the fiber glass cracking the gelcoat or there is a weak spot in the fiber glass cap. The cracks can be filled and smoothed with gelcoat (not an easy job) but, more importantly, the fiber glass needs to be reinforced or the cracks will come back quickly. There are many do it yourself gelcoat repair processes for boats. This would be no different. Matching the color is the tough part. Here is a you tub video about that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_uvonIHJpo

[clarkbre]

This is interesting. I'm going to have to start researching the repair process and materials.

I guess the thing that gets me is that the area that the damage has occurred is not soft, nor flexible. It actually appears to be one of the more stable and solid areas of the front cap with very little to no flex.

Either way, a repair is in order.

[jenandrand]

We purchased our FR TT on 24 May 2017, we drove it home and parked it, never used it. Fast forward to April of this year, I was waxing the trailer and saw the same cracking as you are describing. I was still within the 12 month warranty and the selling dealer fixed it last week under warranty.

[CaptnJohn]

A mobile Marine fiberglass tech will take care of that for less than a dealer and probably do a better job

[camaraderie]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

A mobile Marine fiberglass tech will take care of that for less than a dealer and probably do a better job

X2 on that. You could also drive it to a good marina yard for a repair. The pros can match it just like a car painter can do cars. Find one that paints boats with Awlgrip or Imron and inside.

[frenchmp]

We have a 2016 FR Rockwood 2304 DS. The Gel coat on the front cap started peeling off last spring. Numerous emails with FR representatives finally resulted in an offer to replace the front cap. Why replace the entire thing? Then offer to let us have it repainted, but only to pay for 5 hours of labor and had to be a FR dealer...ugh! We haven't done this as yet as we enjoy using our TT and do not want it in the shop for months.
To answer yur question, yes this is a warranty issue and FR is aware.

[A32Deuce]

Paint peels off. Gelcoat is hard and cracks. If gelcoat comes off Then the fiberglass under it will absorb water!

[frenchmp]

Sorry, DH says it is clear coat or laquer.