Wall bulges, Arctic Wolf 3660 Suite

[Bhrava]

I have been seeing these bulges, of course AFTER the warranty is up, on both sides. It looks like the frame is sticking out. I don't know if this is normal, or not.

[Bhrava]

Some more


The last two is something that must have happened at the dealership when it was in for service and I didn't catch it until later when I washed it, the dust covered it up. Looks like something rubbed against it as both the panel is creased and the trim is damaged. There were no marks, so they must have known they did it and wiped the marks off.

[hype]

I have one on my 3550 that goes away when the temperature warms up.

[Bhrava]

These don't go away though, but if others are seeing the same thing, then I wont worry about it, much. Hoping its just a cosmetic thing.

[old40ford]

Originally Posted by Bhrava

I have been seeing these bulges, of course AFTER the warranty is up, on both sides. It looks like the frame is sticking out. I don't know if this is normal, or not.

Got a few on my 3550, so far they have not changed.

[Peter0525]

I have some on my 327mb. I assumed they are normal.

[dankapp]

We have the same thing in almost all the same locations as yours. I was hoping they were normal and wouldn't be anything to worry about.

[Bhrava]

Originally Posted by dankapp

We have the same thing in almost all the same locations as yours. I was hoping they were normal and wouldn't be anything to worry about.

Exactly why I posted this. If others are seeing the same thing, then I won't worry about it. I would like to know why it's doing it, but as long as it is sound, then not going to worry about it.

Still pissed about the gouge in the door, but too late to do anything about it now since I didn't discover it to well after it was brought home from the dealer.

[Semperfi24]

We have a few on our Arctic Wolf as well. If my memory is correct, it is just above where the front jack feet are, about 2/3 of the way to the roof line

[Bhrava]

I am skeptical now regarding these as I found the drivers side has grown far worse AND there appears to be separation now at the corner of the bedroom slide that wasn't there before. I wonder if this is something insurance will cover.

[Bhrava]

One other thing I forgot to mention. The floor at the top of the stairs pulled away from the sidewall, the screws pulled right out of the sidewall frame. I have put new ones in and secured the floor, but I am beginning to think the frame is the issue.

[lazyjj]

So I have some of the same type looks at the bottom of windows and along the studs but those at the top that you showed would bother me. Our rig is under a shed at home but the last two summers we have been out for six months at a time and don't have those at the top. I would be concerned about delam in those areas.

[Bhrava]

The only place that exhibits delam is the lower corner of the bedroom slid cutout where I can push the skin in. All the others are hard as a rock, I can tap with a plastic deadblow with no movement.

[FlagstaffBen]

It looks like the edges of the 1/8" luan substrate panels used in the lamination are curling for whatever reason. It looks like they released their bond to the foam /aluminum tube core in those areas and curved. That is why in the middle of the bulge you can see a distinct straight vertical line in the middle of the bulge. I bet if you put a long straight edge across it horizontally it will jump out at you. It probably doesn't help that they put the aluminum tubes as far apart as they can get away with, and joints in the panels do not typically align with those tubes nor should they really need to as they're not mechanically fastened anyway. It probably will change how it looks with changes in temperature, and frame flex would / could definitely come into play also. These panels get a lot of movement with temperature changes and fiberglass does not expand/contract at the same rates as luan plywood and an aluminum tube frame. Add in a possible light application of adhesive, letting the panel sit to long before laying on the filon and running into the press, or just bad day in general on the lamination line and there you go. One thing is for certain and its not going to go away or fix itself. There has to be a way to build the "better RV wall". No one would want to pay for it.


All said a lot of it is probably "normal". It's going to look worse looking down the side of the trailer at a slight angle just the same as lots of things. Ever see the side of a wood framed house with vinyl siding when looking at a slight angle with the sun low in the sky, such as in early spring / late fall?

[Bhrava]

One would think if it is the luan that it would be more pronounced in the summer as heat expands things, cold contracts things. It does make sense though as it aligns with what I see and would not be a gap that can be pushed in easily. The main concern though aside from the upper floor separating from the wall is the delam at the lower corner of the bed slide opening. That from what I have read and seen is a frame flex issue.



I bought an extended warranty, but cannot find the paperwork on it to find out when it ends. If its a 4 year then I am covered until July.

[Bhrava]

Found the warranty, 60 month, so good until 25. It was dropped off this morning, so waiting on a response.



I also mentioned having to pull the floor to the wall and put new screws in because the originals all snapped. Showed where there is a gap under the bedroom floor to wall as well. The worst of the bulging is on the shaded side of the trailer. It is parked with the nose facing east, to the north side gets no sun, and is the side with the most bulges, almost seems as if the sunny side expands and squeezes the shaded side together.



Even if this all turns out to be a cosmetic issue, it greatly impacts the resale value due to it appearing to be delam, even if it isn't.