outside panel "bubbling"/wavy in spots

[kriggs]

Just got our first fifth wheel. It is 15 years old. Inside great but several places on the outside/siding of our fifth wheel have wavy/loose siding where maybe water has gotten in the past or maybe heat damage? no water damage inside but we don't know what could have caused the separation/wavy areas on the side. Anyone had this issue. It looks like it needs "glued back down" in places but no way to get into the siding. It is the solid/smooth types of siding.Anyone else had this issue?

[Lowmiler]

Sounds like delamination. Do a google image search.

The top layer of the fiberglass has separated from the inner layers. Typically caused by water intrusion. Not a cheap or easy fix.

Check roof seams to ensure you don’t make it worse by affecting the currently good panels.

[dxrobertson]

Originally Posted by Lowmiler

Sounds like delamination. Do a google image search.

The top layer of the fiberglass has separated from the inner layers. Typically caused by water intrusion. Not a cheap or easy fix.

Check roof seams to ensure you don’t make it worse by affecting the currently good panels.

Most likely delamination as @Lowmiler states. Water entry has separated the outer fiberglass body material (whats wavy) from its structure underneath. This can happen and yet no obvious visible signs of damage on the inside of the RV, but you may want to look closer from inside behind the wavy areas.

There is no "glue back down" type fix. Its fiberglass body repair, expensive.

I have seen this where RV owners just let it go (probably because of repair cost) and continue to use the RV as is.

[Radar57]

Some manufacturers did have issues with the bonding process over the years that is unrelated to water damage. If that's the case it would be possible to peel it back, clean off the old adhesive and glue it back down. It wouldn't be 100% and a lot of work.

If it is water related then you would have to find an area where you could cut and make a small seam, peel off the filon, remove the damaged luan underlayment, install new luan material and reinstall the filon. Again a lot of work.

I would follow the recommendations made by Lowmiller and dxrobertson, try to mitigate any further damage and hope for the best. It's not a structural issue, just doesn't look the best.

[Mopar_Earl]

Best fix, stop the leaks and live with it. Provided it's not going to fall apart on the road. Not worth the investment to repair on a 15 year old unit.


Earl

[craigav]

A few pictures may help with suggestions, if you can share a few here. ~CA