Do All The Isata 5 28SS Models Crack The Sidwall

[Crop Duster]

I'm in the market for a used 28SS and I've noticed quite a few of them have had a crack develop from the lower rear corner of the slide out. But I've also looked at a couple that don't have a crack. I've seen them crack with as little as 3,000 miles and others that have 15,000 miles. Yet ones that have 5,000-20,000 miles don't have a crack. I'm wondering if this is something that happens to all of them over time. I'm not sure if buying one that has not cracked is the way to go if in the future I should expect to have to repair the area. Any insight into this issue is appreciated.

[bclemens]

No. We used to use Crane Gel coat with a lauan/wood substrate. We changed over to an all fiberglass material call "Vetroresina". it got rid of the substrate but is the same thickness. Of course we saw one crack in a spot we have never seen crack and we brought this to their attention. They say "Oh, well you can't square cut the opening, it has to be routed". We never had a problem square cutting the Crane material. So we started routing them and that seems to take care of it. In the meantime, we have gone back to Crane, but with an Azdel substate because our goal was to eliminate wood.

[Crop Duster]

Thank you very much for the reply Brian. That is helpful information. Can you tell me when you made the switch to Vetroresina and then back to Crane? We've been looking at 2022 models for the most part. Some 2023 but mostly 2022. Is there a way to know when ones would be square cut and which would be router? Thank you again for the help.

[bclemens]

I do not have the exact dates....I would say, if it is not cracked in 3,000 miles, it will not be. If it has happened it has happened very fast, so we caught it pretty fast.

[Crop Duster]

Thank you again Brian, extremely helpful.

[Crop Duster]

Would the 2022 models not have any wood in the sidewalls? I assume if it has developed the crack then that is the new material you were using without the luan/wood substrate?

[bclemens]

It was not really used by model year, but a running change. If it had the crack, then yes, it would not have any wood substrate most likely