fibreglass cracking

Topic: fibreglass cracking (Read 945 times) previous topic - next topic

fibreglass cracking

September 05, 2013, 09:20:23 pm

My 2003 u320 has major cracking where the end cap meets the side wall, is the factory the best place to get it fixed? What are your experience? I've got to travel 2400 mi to get there

KC ROSE

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #1 – September 05, 2013, 09:28:58 pm

KCRose,
I would probably give FOT or James at Extreme Graphics a call and ask for their opinion. I would think the fiberglass repair could be handled at a local shop. My concern would be the cause of the cracking. FOT or Extreme would be much better at helping to determine the cause.
Hope this helps.
Jerry

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #2 – September 05, 2013, 09:49:32 pm

For endcap cracking I would go to either James or the factory. IF the factory will help out on it then I would go there, if not and you have to pay full freight, I would go to Xreme. They have an apartment you can stay in while they fix and repaint it. Cheaper than getting a hotel and using FT but if FT will cover the repair then I would go there.

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #3 – September 05, 2013, 10:04:19 pm

FOT has used at least 2 methods of repair on the 2002s that had this issue. Mine they ended up putting trim pieces over the crack areas after they went into them and cleaned them up. Some repairs had all the old stuff dug out and refinished to get back to the initial smooth seam. When they were doing mine (in 1/2007), I was told that the problem was due to them using a new DOW product to put the side and endcap together. I was also told that some coaches had cracked again after the smooth seam refinish. I didn't mind the trim pieces being used, diminishing the likelihood that more cracks would return.

My trim piece repair was covered by FOT, but it took a lot more arm-twisting than I would have liked to have had to exert. A friend with a 2002 got his done later and it was a 50/50 proposition for him. In all fairness, Foretravel was under different ownership when these coaches were made with what some have referred to as a judgement error to use this particular DOW product.

I'm sure by now, both FOT and Extreme are familiar enough with the root cause of the problem to be able to correctly solve it. I wouldn't be comfortable with just a local fiberglas shop.

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #4 – September 06, 2013, 12:13:16 am

If I understand correctly some coaches of this era had this problem, but others did not. Why? Was FOT experimenting with different manufacturing techniques?

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #5 – September 06, 2013, 01:42:28 am

You might want to call FT and ask them if the cap had been repaired by them. Give them your build #. Our coach was repaired in 2005 at FT on their dime. We have the original repair work order. Lots of steel reinforcements, fiberglass and paint. If you do a search I am sure you will find a lot of info.

Re: Mfg. Techniques - I heard that FT made design changes that turned out to not work. Many coaches built during that period were repaired on FT's dime. Must of cost - - - LOTS. I think I read somewhere on this forum the build #s that were involved.

Our repair has no trim cover and is still solid.

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #6 – September 06, 2013, 09:25:21 am

Quote from: BamaFan – September 06, 2013, 12:13:16 am

If I understand correctly some coaches of this era had this problem, but others did not. Why? Was FOT experimenting with different manufacturing techniques?

Quote from: Carol & Scott – September 06, 2013, 01:42:28 am

Re: Mfg. Techniques - I heard that FT made design changes that turned out to not work. Many coaches built during that period were repaired on FT's dime. Must of cost - - - LOTS. I think I read somewhere on this forum the build #s that were involved.

If I recall the basics correctly, when FT introduced the new end cap design for the 2002 model year, it involved a change in materials from the previous years and there were some incompatibility issues missed. The cracking didn't show up immediately, so the 2003 model year is also affected.

Virtually all FTs in these 2 model years had the potential for the cracking issue. Temperature differences, particularly where dark paint was used, further accelerates the cracking. Most if not all 2002-2003 coaches, if they were taken back to the factory, would have been repaired by now. If a coach was not taken to Nac for repair, that's another story.

Original repair at the factory was at no cost to the coach owner (but huge warranty cost to the company, which came close to shutting down before the current owners purchased it). Some of those initial repairs needed to be redone as FT learned what was going on and how to properly repair the coach; ours was first done in early 2004 for the original owner, one rear side was redone in 2009 (cracked through the black stripe) at a mutually-agreed price for us. We have no trim over the end cap seams.

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #7 – September 06, 2013, 09:50:26 am

I am confused reading these posts here. If I was to purchase a used Foretravel coach, are you telling me that it comes with a lifetime warranty on the body? I would think this would not be the case. Why would Foretravel be obligated to repair a coach body that is eight years old and built by the former owners? I would think if the current owners continue doing this, then this could drive Foretravel right out of business. Look, if I have a car that fades over eight years, does the dealer have to repaint the car? I surely hope Foretravel stays in business and is not taken down by trying to repair on their nickel the poor work of the previous owner of Foretravel.

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #8 – September 06, 2013, 10:06:40 am

Quote from: anny – September 06, 2013, 09:50:26 am

I am confused reading these posts here. If I was to purchase a used Foretravel coach, are you telling me that it comes with a lifetime warranty on the body?

No, not at all. When the original problem occurred, it was repaired at no cost to the coach owners because in most cases it showed up during the old 3 year/ 36K bumper-to-bumper warranty. Past that point, we have found the new ownership to be very reasonable on the cost of out-of-warranty repair for this issue.

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #9 – September 06, 2013, 10:17:02 am

Anny, remember that the present owners are selling coaches with the same Foretravel name on them. This is the kind of company that stands behind it's product.
I have had some small cracks repaired locally because it was not economically feasible to drive to Nacogdoches. On the other hand when some roof cracks defied a local fix, I did hoof it back down there. And, yes, FOT did repair them at what I assure was a significantly discounted amount with the assertion that these were a manufacturing flaw. This is the way they do business

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #10 – September 06, 2013, 10:44:41 am

Thanks to all who replyed,

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #11 – September 06, 2013, 10:45:46 am

Thanks Michelle for chiming in.

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #12 – September 06, 2013, 02:58:55 pm

Good to know for those of us looking for a "New to Us" Foretravel

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #13 – September 06, 2013, 04:13:06 pm

I've got into it with Foretravel over going good for some of the repair and was told in so many words to pound sand!

Also was told to cover it(crack) with a piece of moulding, I guess that is so no one else would see what a mess this is.

I should have bought a bounder, !!

Thanks again everyone KC

KC

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #14 – September 06, 2013, 04:51:06 pm

Not the perfect solution, but I would say that covering it with a piece of molding is a good idea, provided you seal it with a good polyurethane caulking. What you don't want is moisture to get in through the crack and affect the steel underneath. The problem then could become a structural as well as an esthetic issue. Sorry that you didn't get the answer you were looking for from ForeTravel. At least a Foretravel is worth fixing, not sure about a Bounder...
Don

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #15 – September 06, 2013, 06:06:03 pm

KC,

Not knowing the details of the discussion or the history of your coach and its ownership, I'm still sorry to hear you feel that way.

I hope you didn't come away with the expectation that this would be addressed at no cost to you; I don't think anyone on the forum was intending to give you that impression. Rather, we were trying to reassure you that this is a well-understood issue and Nac is a good place to get it addressed. The coach is well out of warranty; if the issue had presented during the 36 month warranty period it would/should have been repaired at the factory. If it did not present back then or if there was a repair made at a location other than FT, the factory can't be expected to make considerations now. If it was repaired at the factory in the past, they at least need the opportunity to see for themselves what the failure mode is.

FOT also cannot quote repair of a problem they haven't inspected in person, either, but they are generally quite reasonable to deal with on this issue, as those of us who needed post-warranty repair have found. Xtreme is also well-versed in the repair, should you not be able or wish to use FOT/FT (yes, FT and FOT are run separately on at least an accounting view; FOT the service end of things sublets paint/body/fiberglass to FT, the production factory).

I do doubt that Fleetwood would extend any consideration towards a 10 year old Bounder under the same circumstances. But I suspect that comment was likely just your frustration coming out.

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #16 – September 07, 2013, 06:55:03 am

KC,
Sorry your conversation didnt go well with FT. My previous SOB was a Bounder, and while Fleetwood had a good Tech service group and parts dept. that was prior to the sell of Fleetwood. I am not sure the same help is available today.
While the Bounder was a good coach it was in no way near the caliber of the FT.

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #17 – September 07, 2013, 10:53:49 am

Foretravel is not for everybody, some are more suited to the Bounder quality.

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #18 – September 07, 2013, 12:04:13 pm

KC, depending who you were speaking with at FOT, you might want to give them a second chance but to their defense, they will want to look at the issue. FOT has always been open to understanding the issue and typically will help out anyway they can. Maybe you were speaking with just one of the service writers? Try to speak to the service manager and just let him know your concern and what the best way to fix it would be, then talk price and see if they will work with you.

I can't and won't comment on other brands but I do know that FOT has been very upfront and fair with us for the last 9-10 years. Have we had issues with the service dept? You bet, but once you get the correct folks involved, it typically works out as a win win for all involved.

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #19 – September 07, 2013, 01:03:18 pm

What they said .....

Re: fibreglass cracking

Reply #20 – September 07, 2013, 01:15:17 pm

I second the idea of escalating the issue. When I approached them in 2006, I was essentially told to pound sand, too, initially. It took a few more conversations to get to someone who realized that it was going to be easier to extend a little goodwill and have a happy FT customer, than it was going to be to endure an unhappy one.

The root of this issue is a manufacturer defect, and it is my understanding that some folks even left the company over this issue after arguing and trying to get people to understand that the methodology was not sound engineering...which clearly has proven true.

It is not uncommon for automobile recalls to occur, even 11 years after production for a safety issue. I was assured that this was NOT a safety and structural issue, and only cosmetic, however, when the cracking from my sidewall extended into the roof, I wasn't so positive. I'm just glad the repairs FT did to my coach remain effective.

That last Bounder comment was harsh.

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