Wind1957
Missouri
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Joined: 06/30/2008
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Three years ago when we bought our 1996 Minnie Winnie I had never heard of delamination. When researching a 2000 Four Winds I came across the word and have questions.
What is the cause? How bad does it get with time? How obvious is it to see? What should I be looking for? Is it on the inside of the RV? How frequent is it? Are there certain RV's that are more prone to this problem? Thank you in advance for your help.
Ginny
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tonyandkaren
pennsylvania
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Joined: 05/15/2005
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It's caused by water intrusion. When water gets past any of the seals around seams , windows , vents ,etc.,it causes the outside fiberglass sheet to separate from the plywood sheet. These two have been glued together. The separation itself ,if not extensive , will usually not cause a problem as long as you make sure that it's has dried out and reseal the leaking area. The problem is that leaks are hard to find and most of the time are not caught before there is major damage to the plywood sheathing and framing . Even if you don't see any sign of a leak check for softness on the walls , roof and flooring by pressing on them. Here's a website pictures of damages. http://memoryroads.blogspot.com/search?u........01-01T00%3A00%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=9
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TURK2500
USA
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Joined: 04/12/2005
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This is what it looked like on my TT:
Turk2500
05 Jayco Eagle, 278FBS, UVW 7,063lbs, GVWR 9,000lbs.
Tongue Weight: Dry 913lbs/Loaded 1,200lbs.
02 Chevy, 2500HD/4x4, 6.0L/4:10, EC/LS/SB, Prodigy, GCWR 16,000lbs.
TV/TT loaded: 14,700lbs.
Putnam XDR Class V, Reese HP Dual Cam.
00 HD Road King Classic.
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CloudDriver
New Jersey Shore
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Joined: 10/30/2005
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Some good information about delamination and how to prevent it is available here.
2003 Winnebago Minnie 24F - Ford E-450
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PapillonRV
Santa Rosa CA
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Joined: 11/02/2007
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Three years ago, I also purchased a Minnie Winnie. I noticed some slight delam in the front side area in front of and below the small widnow. Figuring the window seal was leaking, assumed I could repair. Later learned that it was not window leaking but clearance lights (very common thing to leak on RV's)
I repaired as best I could, but it was a LOT of work, and still not sure I got all the damage. I now have the attitude that all RV's are going to leak - heck they are a big box bouncing down the road, they are prone to leaking. I now inspect the roof regularly, and plan to remove and replace the caulking regularly.
The other replies above provided some great info as to how bad / how quick the damage can take place... please take water leaks very seriously.
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johnbhicks
Crossville, TN
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Joined: 07/25/2009
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Boatbuilders learned about delamintion long ago; the simple answer is that you don't lay FG over ply and expect it to stick, Either the resin gives or the ply gives.
Be that as is may, in an RV application I wouldn't worry about delam too much other than curing the cause; if you have a leak you gotta fix is. Once you've fixed the leak you can solve the delam at your leisure.
Note that in the case of a new rig (or warrenteed as such) then fixed and replaced is much more in order.
-C&J-
www.fugawetribe.com
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Wind1957
Missouri
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Joined: 06/30/2008
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Thanks so much for all the replies. Lots to think about.
Ginny
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