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Topic: Thermal checking & fiberglass issues (Read 748 times) previous topic - next topic

Thermal checking & fiberglass issues

Hey again.

We passed on the country coach, at least for now. I've been in contact with Jeff Bowser at MOT and the ball is rolling, albeit slowly. I have two separate questions as we continue our hunt for a 99-01 U320.

1) Is thermal checking in the paint a structural issue? Or can it be?
While I understand it can ultimately mean a full respray, can it lead to more significant structural work that makes the rig unusable? Or is it simply a matter of staving it off until you can no longer stand how it looks and you eventually get the coach repainted?

2) How significant are the fiberglass issues in the 02+ rigs?
I understand 02 was when they started glassing the seams between the body and end caps and that this was known to fail. Our budget may allow us to consider 02 and 03 coaches and I don't know if this should scare me off or not. How expensive is this fix if/when it happens?

As always, thanks in advance for the great input
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Thermal checking & fiberglass issues

Reply #1 –
Quote from: ejbeaty –

2) How significant are the fiberglass issues in the 02+ rigs?
I understand 02 was when they started glassing the seams between the body and end caps and that this was known to fail. Our budget may allow us to consider 02 and 03 coaches and I don't know if this should scare me off or not. How expensive is this fix if/when it happens?


It was HUGE when it hit.  It affected pretty much all 2002 and 2003 coaches and was a very costly warranty issue for the company.

That was back in 2003-2008 when all the problem cracking was showing up.

If a coach has not had it by now, or has had it and it was repaired more recent than 2012, it is unlikely to be an issue this late in the game.  It was a fairly early life fail, sometimes requiring more than one repair to get it done right, but it has not reared its ugly head on the forum in many years.  You might search on "endcap cracking"

If you are looking at coaches in Nac, and you are concerned, your best source of repair cost info on this is Xtreme.



Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Thermal checking & fiberglass issues

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Michelle –
If a coach has not had it by now, or has had it and it was repaired more recent than 2012, it is unlikely to be an issue this late in the game. 
Thanks Michelle. Can you identify when the repair has been done with a visual inspection?


[edited down quote - Michelle]
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Thermal checking & fiberglass issues

Reply #3 –
If you don't see cracks, it was almost assuredly done. 109% of those coaches had the issue
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Thermal checking & fiberglass issues

Reply #4 –
Quote from: ejbeaty –
Thanks Michelle. Can you identify when the repair has been done with a visual inspection?

No.  In general, the initial repairs needed to be redone as Foretravel went through a learning curve on how to fix them properly (some were filled and cracked again, others they filled simply added a trim strip over).  Cracking generally would appear (or reappear on a non-optimal repair) within a couple of years.  Eventually they figured out how to do it right, otherwise it would just keep reappearing after a couple of years.  If a coach shows no signs of underlying "something" (vertical anomaly) at the endcap/sidewall interface and has no trim strip covering that area, it likely will be a non-issue.  I don't know if the added trim strip ended up being a viable long-term solution or not, or if it simply masks the problem)
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Thermal checking & fiberglass issues

Reply #5 –
Early this year, I looked at a checked coach.  Craig from Xtreme came to inspect and went to $35,000 in less than 15 minutes.

So be through in your inspection.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Thermal checking & fiberglass issues

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Rudy –
Early this year, I looked at a checked coach.  Craig from Xtreme came to inspect and went to $35,000 in less than 15 minutes.
So be through in your inspection.
Ooof.

This may be a silly question but are coaches without full body paint as susceptible to checking? For example, I believe this one is just gelcoat with decals (please correct me if I'm wrong): 2000 Foretravel U320 4010 | Motorhomes of Texas

That one has actually been on my radar for a while and it keeps growing on me....
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.
 

Re: Thermal checking & fiberglass issues

Reply #7 –
Thermal checking is not a structural issue.  It is a result of outgassing from the fiberglass that will continue throughout the coach's life.  There will be less in coaches with just gel coat and decals and more with full body paint-the darker the color, the more risk.  You likely won't see it in coaches that have always been garaged, and will be almost guaranteed to see it in coaches that have spent their lives in intense southern sun.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R