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Topic: Rear Cap Cracks from Accident (Read 1039 times) previous topic - next topic

Rear Cap Cracks from Accident

Hello Everyone,

I'm looking for information from some of you that might have experienced cracking of the rear cap after an accident involving being hit in the rear of the coach.

I had an Incident where the coach rolled back and struck a guard rail, smashing the lower ladder and bending the side supports inside the engine compartment and cracking the sides of coach and the rear cap corners on both sides. Both cap cracks are approximately 6 inch in length at the seams.

Has anyone else experienced rear cap cracking after an accident? Or is the fleet experiencing cracks in the end caps as life of service time increases?

My Insurance unfortunately is trying to deny the repair as a problem with Monoscope built chassis, the coach was purchased in April of 2019 and positively did not have the cracks in the end caps.

Thanks everyone for the information.

2003 - U295
Purchased with 83K on the odometer, Currently 109K



Mike & Donna Mariana + Angel & Rusty
2003 U295 3620
Build# 6118
2021 Jeep Wrangler 392

Re: Rear Cap Cracks from Accident

Reply #1 –
Pictures would help here.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Rear Cap Cracks from Accident

Reply #2 –

"Has anyone else experienced rear cap cracking after an accident? Or is the fleet experiencing cracks in the end caps as life of service time increases"

Concerns regarding 2002-3 fiberglass cracking
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: Rear Cap Cracks from Accident

Reply #3 –
Tell your insurance company that you coach is only a Monocoque body in the middle and both ends are conventional construction. Old GM buses were full monocoque but not Foretravels. In other words, everything behind the rear bulkhead is conventional construction like any vehicle with a frame and the same goes for everything forward of the front bulkhead.

The conventional construction front and back is the reason Foretravels twist and crack or loosen windshields.

Our Foretravels do not have a chassis that is integral with the body. Just the middle section.

Here is the difference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1T_Vizjido
Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Rear Cap Cracks from Accident

Reply #4 –
If you can get with Xtreme Paint & Graphics in Nac.  James Stallings can probably get the ins folks straightened out.  Plus the fix will be top drawer.
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: Rear Cap Cracks from Accident

Reply #5 –
Quote from: zmpm01 –
Has anyone else experienced rear cap cracking after an accident? Or is the fleet experiencing cracks in the end caps as life of service time increases?

End cap cracking was an early life issue, not an EOL one.  Coaches that were going to have it appear did so in the first few years and virtually all have been long-repaired by now.

The insurance company is misguided regarding the construction of the coach.  It is not "monocoque", it is "semi-monocoque" - it relies on the inner framework for structure.  Plus the end caps are a separate piece and are adhered on using conventional construction.  An impact to the rear one is going to stress the joint where they are adhered to the sidewall.

Xtreme is the most likely shop to be able to explain this to the adjuster.  And, depending on your location, may be the best option for repair.
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: Rear Cap Cracks from Accident

Reply #6 –
I have to think that the cracks are related to the contact with the barrier, as to what kind of chassis built in-house is in the Foretravel it's a bridge truss.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Rear Cap Cracks from Accident

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Michelle –
End cap cracking was an early life issue, not an EOL one.  Coaches that were going to have it appear did so in the first few years and virtually all have been long-repaired by now.

Here's a 2003 295 with 47k miles on the clock with possible front & rear cap separation issues that's been listed on CL last couple of weeks near me. Poor advertisement, consignment coach, they no nothing about Foretravels. Hopefully potential buyer has a good pre-purchase inspection. Buyer beware....
@ 47k

https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/rvd/d/sumner-foretravel/7244961349.html
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: Rear Cap Cracks from Accident

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Doug W. –
Here's a 2003 295 with 47k miles on the clock with possible front & rear cap separation issues that's been listed on CL last couple of weeks near me.

With the low miles, I would hazard a guess it's never been taken for proper repair...
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: Rear Cap Cracks from Accident

Reply #9 –
To maybe help understand conversations, took photos of new 2018 Foretravel and Newell coach builds.

EDIT Photos take August 2017
Future Foretravel Owners
2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Retired USAF, Retired DOD Civ's
FAA A&P, Indust. Eng., Acft Depot Lvl. Maint.
Larry and Becky Rountree

Re: Rear Cap Cracks from Accident

Reply #10 –
Is the "May 02" on ID tag when the frame was built or ?
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Rear Cap Cracks from Accident

Reply #11 –
Typically, RV's are built earlier than model year. Foretravel, Newell, Newmar are all building model year 2022 coaches right now.
Future Foretravel Owners
2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Retired USAF, Retired DOD Civ's
FAA A&P, Indust. Eng., Acft Depot Lvl. Maint.
Larry and Becky Rountree

Re: Rear Cap Cracks from Accident

Reply #12 –
I didn't think the lead time would be so great, ours was late 87 build, titled in early 88, the fresh water pump had a September 87 manufacture date. I thought that's what it was it's just the lead time seemed so large.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Rear Cap Cracks from Accident

Reply #13 –
Quote from: master2301 –
Typically, RV's are built earlier than model year. Foretravel, Newell, Newmar are all building model year 2022 coaches right now.

My 2014 was built in 2013  I think around March of 2021 will be when new 2022 will be started.  So another 4 months or so.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Rear Cap Cracks from Accident

Reply #14 –
They are building the 2022's now for release late Feb or early March. Remember parts are older than finish date of coach.
Future Foretravel Owners
2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Retired USAF, Retired DOD Civ's
FAA A&P, Indust. Eng., Acft Depot Lvl. Maint.
Larry and Becky Rountree

Re: Rear Cap Cracks from Accident

Reply #15 –
I stand corrected.

I figured they would at least wait until the year before. I guess this way they work on beating depression  by gaining a year at the start.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago