Is delamination still a problem/Azdel?

[Boyscoutbutch]

Had a 2008 Rockwood SS 8272S that was meticulously maintained. I would defy you to find anything that even remotely looked like a pin hole. Yet there appeared to be the start of demailnation left rear corner at the top. I have read alot of posts about wet lauan. I wonder if it can get wet from inside humidity in cold weather condensing on the outside wall (the bedroom windows did fog up)?

In any event I am curious about delamination with the newer campers and particularly ones with Azdel instead of lauan as the fiberglass backer. Comments please?

[VinceU]

Moisture through walls occurs in homes and ruins exteriors, i'll bet RV's also!

[rockwood06]

Delamanation can be caused by many things and this is why a tighter Quality Control program is needed.

This thread could get very long and may I suggest that it be researched on the Internet. The walls on the extrior of the camper are Vacuum-Bonded as we all know and there are many steps to the process.

To start with the quailty of the material that is used should be check, from the panels both backing material and the extrior finished, the glue, the temp of the press, the plates, the room in which the process is taking place and more. it is important how and where the material is stored and handled, the date codes on the materials and chemicals that are being used. There is more to this story but I will stop here.

I have had a problem with Delam myself back in 2006 with it being new and only 8 days old just park in my driveway and the more I read I see more and more delam issues and it seems like FR has not made an effort to stop it, so I have ask myself is it because FR has cut back on personal, eliminated the QC Department, or just don't care....But yet they will take it back to the factory and fix it Must be alot of profit for them if they can take them back and replace the entire side of the camper.

[shineysideup]

My dealer has been in business for decades, he even admitted that a really hot day can be enough to allow delamination to start! (glue separating from the luan)

Remember, everything is glued together, and in most trailers the luan is an actual wood based product - think flooring underlay but even thinner.

I agree, with all the issues out there you would think that someone would be trying harder to make this a thing of the past.

There are some trailers that use composites instead of the wood product but they still rely on glue to hold it all together.

Airstreams are a totally different take on a trailer and are skinned in aluminum. There has been some issues with the clear finish on the newer airstreams, seems that the use of a non lead based clear finish has been an issue in some cases. Count on parting with $5000 to refinish!

Seems us consumers can't win... Just remember, Rving and camping is not about the trailer but about the memories that are made. It seems that we live in a throw away society with a limited life expectancy for everything...

happy camping (with lots of memories),