Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 02-24-2013, 11:20 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 28
2009 EX-PORT 17C - is this something I should be concerned about?

Hello,
We are about to make our first camper purchase. Been tent camping for many, many years...

Read a ton on this and other forums....Found a really nice 2009 EX-PORT 17C...Negotiated for a fair price. We put a down payment on the camper about a month ago and are scheduled to pick it up soon.

Today I stopped by to show someone the camper and I noticed the right front lower curve of the camper is kinda bulging up a bit and has some give or flex to it. The center does not (solid) and the left side does have some give to it but is straight and not wavy.

I looked this thing over with a fine tooth comb before I put money down on it after reading about de-lamination issues with these fiberglass campers.

Is what I am seeing actually a lamination issue or do these trailers have some weakness in that area? It is near the bottom of the curve at the front. What concerns me is the center area is solid as a rock and this area is not. The rest of the camper looks great inside and out with nothing on the sides or roof that I have been able to see. Does not appear to be leaking anywhere inside where I checked which was just about everywhere.

Any help would be appreciated.


Thank you
GoldMiner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2013, 11:24 AM   #2
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 28
This is NOT from the camper in question...I just wanted to give a better idea of the area we are talking about.

Click image for larger version

Name:	campera_area.jpg
Views:	65
Size:	14.9 KB
ID:	6612
GoldMiner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2013, 11:41 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
amabee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 406
How far can you push it in? Does it at some point hit something solid? I know the diamond plate on ours moves a "little" bit, but you can feel the wood behind it.
__________________
2013 Starcraft Travel Star 229TB
2011 Jayco X17Z(traded in)
2010 Jayco Jay Series 1207(traded for the 17Z)
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Z71 CC 6.0L/3.73
ITBC
Reese "Pro Series" 800lb Trunnion WDH w/sway control
amabee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2013, 11:49 AM   #4
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 28
Yes, I can feel solid material behind it.
GoldMiner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2013, 12:28 PM   #5
Moderator Emeritus
 
Rustic Eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
Without seeing an actual photo, your description sure sounds like some material separation taking place, possibly do to moisture. I would look closely at the wall joint seam and any areas above the area in question (bed slide-out seal, roof/wall seam). Check inside for any brown stains, this would be signs of unwanted moisture. Also pull the mattress out and check the wood deck.

Leaks around the bed slide-out are are very possible.

Bob
__________________

2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
Rustic Eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2013, 12:45 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
amabee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 406
You're probably ok, I don't think that outer skin on the curve part is actually glued to the wood behind it.

BUT, as Bob(Rustic Eagle) mentioned, I would thoroughly inspect the front cargo area for any signs of leaking. I would also, from under the camper, check the floor to make sure water isn't getting back inside the wall. Check all around the bunk end door, especially the bottom corners in front of the "shelf" inside the camper.
__________________
2013 Starcraft Travel Star 229TB
2011 Jayco X17Z(traded in)
2010 Jayco Jay Series 1207(traded for the 17Z)
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Z71 CC 6.0L/3.73
ITBC
Reese "Pro Series" 800lb Trunnion WDH w/sway control
amabee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2013, 12:52 PM   #7
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 28
Is there actually curved wood behind that area?
GoldMiner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2013, 01:09 PM   #8
Moderator Emeritus
 
Rustic Eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
I beleive the following pic is that of a 2009 Jay Feather Ex-Port 17C:



The front curved lower wall panel below the front bed lower-door hinge is part a bonded/layered front wall cap, and is also curved on the inside of cargo pass thru.

Bob
__________________

2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
Rustic Eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2013, 01:26 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: near Englewood, FL (South of Venice)
Posts: 1,237
GoldMiner,

Quote:
or do these trailers have some weakness in that area?
I don't think so ... have never heard of one.

Can you have an inspection made of the 17Z, by someone qualified to make one, a condition of the sale?
Also, if you provide the VIN to Jayco at service@jayco.com they might be able to provide you with construction information.

Don't know what your time frame is. Good Luck.
OnTheGo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2013, 01:41 PM   #10
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 28
Gonna check this out tomorrow morning with my salesman and their technician. We are due to take delivery a week from Wednesday.

If this is a delamination issue, Is that area of a major concern? If its not due to a water leak, could it possibly get worse?
GoldMiner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2013, 01:55 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Posts: 1,261
point it out before taking delivery so the dealer is aware and could possibly offer some sort of repair or at least a discount. I wouild nt worry too much about it but you could always install the molded diamond plating over it and screw it dwn to the solid supports behind. Better yet have the dealer do it for you. all this of course after verifing there is no leaks etc..
exjay1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2013, 02:35 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
amabee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 406
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoldMiner View Post
Gonna check this out tomorrow morning with my salesman and their technician. We are due to take delivery a week from Wednesday.

If this is a delamination issue, Is that area of a major concern? If its not due to a water leak, could it possibly get worse?
Yes, it could be, not sure what would be involved in fixing it. There are thin sheets of luan are that are bowed to make the curve. It's really hard to advise much more w/out seeing it.
__________________
2013 Starcraft Travel Star 229TB
2011 Jayco X17Z(traded in)
2010 Jayco Jay Series 1207(traded for the 17Z)
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Z71 CC 6.0L/3.73
ITBC
Reese "Pro Series" 800lb Trunnion WDH w/sway control
amabee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2013, 09:06 AM   #13
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 28
Just got back from looking at this again. I think we are OK.

Opening the storage area, there was a small spot about the size of a silver dollar where it looks like someone had spilled something but it was not enough to even get close to the outside wall. There is a vertical piece of laun about a foot back from that wall area. There were no leaks that I could see anywhere above that area where the bunk bed is. After carefully looking and feeling the rest of the front area there was inward movement all the way across the front except where you could feel a bulkhead close to the center of the camper. The wavyness in that area was likely done at the factory when they pressed the side molding on, at least this is what my salesmen says. All of the other caulk/seals in that area appear fine too.
GoldMiner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2013, 09:16 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: near Englewood, FL (South of Venice)
Posts: 1,237
... it sounds like your OK to go with it.
OnTheGo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2013, 03:51 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
amabee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 406
Yea, I think your ok as well.
__________________
2013 Starcraft Travel Star 229TB
2011 Jayco X17Z(traded in)
2010 Jayco Jay Series 1207(traded for the 17Z)
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Z71 CC 6.0L/3.73
ITBC
Reese "Pro Series" 800lb Trunnion WDH w/sway control
amabee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2013, 04:07 PM   #16
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 28
Decided to go back up and take some pictures. What do you guys think?

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMAG0564_small.jpg
Views:	38
Size:	37.4 KB
ID:	6662


Click image for larger version

Name:	IMAG0563_small.jpg
Views:	36
Size:	58.2 KB
ID:	6663
GoldMiner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2013, 04:44 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
amabee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 406
Are you concerned about the waviness of the bottom trim piece? If so, they are all like that, at least mine is, as were a couple other ones we looked at. I wouldn't be concerned about that.
__________________
2013 Starcraft Travel Star 229TB
2011 Jayco X17Z(traded in)
2010 Jayco Jay Series 1207(traded for the 17Z)
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Z71 CC 6.0L/3.73
ITBC
Reese "Pro Series" 800lb Trunnion WDH w/sway control
amabee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2013, 05:06 PM   #18
Moderator Emeritus
 
Rustic Eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoldMiner View Post
snip...... What do you guys think? ....snip
GoldMiner,

Thanks for posting the pics, they help a lot.

Based on what I see in pic 1 of 2 it appears that the entire surface seems to be less than "perfectly" smooth and IMO this would be considered normal with a Filon material.

In pic 2 of 2 I don't see any surface irregularities that suggest material separation.

It may just be the angle of the pic, but I would confirm where the front Filon cap at the bottom edge where it meets the top surface of the A-frame (pic 2 of 2) isn't being compromised. The full weight of the Filon cap assembly shouldn't be resting on the A-frame resulting in distorting the Filon material.

Bob
__________________

2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
Rustic Eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2013, 05:31 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
amabee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 406
Don't know if this helps, here is the same general area on mine.

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0786.jpg
Views:	14
Size:	40.8 KB
ID:	6665Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0787.jpg
Views:	23
Size:	48.2 KB
ID:	6666

I will admit, that area concerned me a little at first also, but the dealer had other similar units, including a 2009 17C. They also had several new X17Z's, that waviness on the bottom trim was on all of them.
One of the things I do, if possible, is compare areas of concern with other similar units.
__________________
2013 Starcraft Travel Star 229TB
2011 Jayco X17Z(traded in)
2010 Jayco Jay Series 1207(traded for the 17Z)
2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Z71 CC 6.0L/3.73
ITBC
Reese "Pro Series" 800lb Trunnion WDH w/sway control
amabee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2013, 08:42 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: S.E. Michigan
Posts: 200
If you're still concerned then find some other units (same model) and check them out. Even if you need to drive a distance it's better to know now not later with delamination.
Good luck,
__________________
Bill B. (S.E. Michigan)
2014 Keystone Cougar High Country 321RES (was 2007 Eagle 322FKS)
2007 Dodge Megacab CTD
billb800si is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:31 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.