Diamond plate separating!

[Camper_bob]

I went out to the trailer (28 BHBE) to do my standard storage check, and this is what I discovered!







Sorry for the finger!

The diamond plate has pulled away. I pushed it back thinking there might be enough overlap from the AL panel just above to hold it in place, but there wasn't. It looks like there wasn't enough overlap to begin with and instead of repositioning the panel, they just glued it down. Well here in TX, glue doesn't do too well exposed to the temps we get, and the glue finally just gave up. At least that's what it looks like...

I will contact my dealer tonight as I'm still under warranty. My fear is that they'll just put more glue under there and try to stick it back. There isn't enough overlap as it is, so that would be temporary at best, and leaky at worst.

Does anyone know what it would take to detach the entire panel and reposition it so the edge is tucked nicely up under the aluminum? I'm assuming you would have to undo the front corners. How hard is that to do?

[SmokerBill]

I think the panels are detached from the top down, so that would be a pain. I think your dealer should replace the diamond plate completely.

And no apology needed for the finger. I'd be giving it the finger, too.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by SmokerBill

And no apology needed for the finger. I'd be giving it the finger, too.

LOL! Thanks!

I guess my thinking is that the diamond plate could be slid up under the AL siding, because it's the last link in the chain so to speak, but I could be wrong.

[SmokerBill]

Maybe it could, but I wonder if the diamond plate panel is manufactured with the necessary bend in it? And would it fit correctly if you tried to position it higher? It does look like a potential leak area. That would be my biggest worry.

[Camper_bob]

From the way it looks, and keeping in mind that I'm just figuring this out, I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, the diamond plate can be shaped any way you want. It's not thick at all, so it's very flexible. At the bottom, it's just kind of bent around the under coating and stapled in.

Really, I'm not worried about the diamond plate itself, I'm more worried about the seams at the corners where the front wall joins the side wall. And that's just because I don't know how they work, I haven't looked closely at them. To do it right, it seems like they will have to take the whole panel off which will involve disassembling the corners. Not real excited about that since things sometimes don't go back together like they did in the factory...

[Big Sky]

Well the good news is it's still under warranty. I'd almost tell them I want to watch the repair, and let them know I'm looking for a permanent fix, not a band aid and I will be bringing this back ANY time this re-occurs, with documentation. This is VERY funky. Jayco will stand behind this, you just need the dealer to follow through.

[Camper_bob]

Well, after a little internet research, it doesn't seem like taking the corners off is really that big a deal. Some screws, some sealant, and you're in. I could probably do it myself, but it's a warranty issue. If I were to do it myself, I would probably try to barter for a thicker sheet of diamond plate, this stuff is really pretty flimsy.

Big Sky, I would LOVE to watch the repair, but I doubt they'll let me. I will make it explicitly clear that I will be inspecting the repair VERY closely, and I'll make my expectations clear. IMO, there needs to be at least 1/4" overlap there from the siding to the diamond plate. And some type of seal between the two sheets would be preferable, since there is no mating channel in the diamond plate for the AL siding to mate to.

I will update when I hear from my dealer, hopefully tomorrow. He will likely just tell me to bring it in. I have a couple other minor issues for him anyway, so I guess the timing is good! (Silver lining)

[Jagiven]

Heat could be part of the issue, and not having the right amount of overlap. I would look under the tt, and see if the tongue is properly connected and not flexible get as you are driving down the road.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

Heat could be part of the issue, and not having the right amount of overlap. I would look under the tt, and see if the tongue is properly connected and not flexible get as you are driving down the road.

Tongue is through-welded to the front cross member, and I don't think the diamond plate touches the frame, so I really doubt it's a frame or tongue problem, but I will look anyway for completion's sake. Thank you for the input.

[Camper_bob]

Update: The dealer told me to bring it in right away and they would fix it "asap". I'll probably take it in tomorrow afternoon. Luckily we have a VERY slight chance for rain in the next couple days, mostly just this evening really, and it's a small chance. If it looks like rain, I guess I'll just duct tape it. But I hate to do that and then have to get the sticky stuff off after the tape is removed...

Anyway, will update again after I talk to the dealer...

[Seann45]

I would be very worried about water damage inside there.. check the cargo bay and see if you can see anything that looks "funny" I bet that is why they want it in there RIGHT NOW.. before damage gets sever.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by Seann45

I would be very worried about water damage inside there.. check the cargo bay and see if you can see anything that looks "funny" I bet that is why they want it in there RIGHT NOW.. before damage gets sever.

Checking the inside of the cargo area was the second thing I did after I peered into the hole and stuck my finger in to feel for moisture. No discoloration of the underlying wood, and dry-to-the-touch insulation. Very next move was to open the cargo door and check the storage compartment. All was dry and good inside. Then I went back outside and felt along the bottom where the diamond plate is stapled to the bottom of the trailer and felt around, nothing abnormal that I could tell.

Yeah, this could cause a MAJOR problem, any rain coming off the front of the roof and running down the front wall will flow into that hole like a drain. Luckily it isn't supposed to rain, and I store the trailer nose high. I think I may still go over there and duct tape it anyway, we have a few clouds building that don't look too friendly. I would rather have to deal with the Goo Gone taking the wax off than to have water in there... I was planning to wax the trailer soon anyway...

[TCNashville]

That sucks Bob, I'd tape it too. Better safe than sorry. Keep us posted on the repair.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by TCNASHVILLE

That sucks Bob, I'd tape it too. Better safe than sorry. Keep us posted on the repair.

The booger clouds kept getting together, so I went ahead and taped it. I'll sleep better tonight for it. I also felt TERRIBLE wishing that it wouldn't rain, that's like a mortal sin here in the land of drought! Now it can rain and I'll be happy again!

[Big Sky]

Originally Posted by Camper Bob

Update: The dealer told me to bring it in right away and they would fix it "asap". I'll probably take it in tomorrow afternoon.

That's great news Camper Bob! Exactly what you expect with a new unit and good dealer.

Best of luck on this, I'm sure they'll do it right.

[Camper_bob]

Dropped it off at the dealer this morning. Did a walk around with the tech and explained some other issues. He mentioned that another customer brought one in that was a bit worse than mine. I told him the type of repair I was willing to accept and why, and he agreed with my assessment. My understanding is that they will remove and reposition the panel, and add support under it as needed.

Turn around time is 1-2 weeks, which I'm fine with because with a new baby looming, I won't be able to use the trailer for at least a month anyway, and that's at the VERY earliest... We will see, and I will update after I pick it up...

[nbhybrid]

I just cant get my head around why they say 1-2 weeks.

Will it take that long before they start or that long to do the entire job?

I wonder what our automotive customers would think if we told them 1-2 weeks when they need repairs

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by nbhybrid

I just cant get my head around why they say 1-2 weeks.

Will it take that long before they start or that long to do the entire job?

I wonder what our automotive customers would think if we told them 1-2 weeks when they need repairs

Probably just a back log of repairs and time to get approval from Jayco. It's a HUGE dealership, I'm okay with it. I would anticipate the actual repair to take 2 hrs or so... I could do it myself in a half day or less, and that's mostly because I would be learning as I go and probably don't have all the necessary tools. But it's warranty, so whatever.

It's quite a bit different than the automotive world, I don't depend on my TT every day to get me to work so I can keep my job. My TT is a luxury item that in the big scheme of things I use quite rarely. So if I don't have access to it for 2 weeks, oh well, I'm just inconvenienced, no big deal. This same dealer did a repair for me previously on VERY short order to accommodate a trip I had booked, so I hope he's putting me off (not in any hurry, no trips booked) to get other customers whose vacations are on the line back on the road.

[Camper_bob]

Got a call from the dealer this AM, repairs begin today. They are sending pics to Jayco for approval and guidance on the fix, but the tech and I agreed what should be done, so we will see what Jayco says.

I also had a laundry list of other items for them to check (all roof and wall seals, small hole in slide out roof, general inspection...). On top of all that, I asked for a bid on installation of a second courtesy light in the front pass-thru storage. If they're going to have the diamond plate off for repair anyway, the wiring would be a cinch. I just want to mirror the light that's already there on the passenger side because I store all my towing hardware in the driver's side and it would be nice to have another light there. If they come in too high, it's no big deal for me to wire one in, but if they can get a "factory" looking install, I'd be willing to pay a little for that...

[Camper_bob]

Update: I called the dealer the other day, they are waiting on the replacement panel, it will be here Wednesday, should be done shortly after that.

I'm a little concerned that they're replacing the entire panel, but that may be what's needed. I'm going to let them do their job on this one and inspect VERY closely when it's all done...