Sidewall crack study-what’s your setup?

[DHart]

Good comments. I think the relief cut with silicone fill and a trim piece over the top would probably fix the issue, so not that big of a deal - unless there is a structural issue.

An RV dealer that I spoke with said he's seen this issue a number of times and what they usually do to address it is a relief cut alone the line of the crack, a silicone fill, and cover with a trim piece. Not elegant, but usually quite sufficient.

Of course, one can always purchase another brand which either never gets this issue, or one which has the joint and trim piece as a new from the factory "feature".

We like the Pinnacle, but are leaning toward a Mobile Suites at this time.

[Jeffur]

That’s what I did on my crossroads produce.

[Pchansen]

Originally Posted by Jeffur

That’s what I did on my crossroads produce.

Any pics?

[Jeffur]

Right side

[Jeffur]

Rotate the picture 90*

[Pchansen]

Originally Posted by Jeffur

Right side

Did the crack propagate beyond the drill hole??

[Jeffur]

Yes, we tried drilling it to stop the growth, it didn’t work. The panel was repaired after and a relief cut put into it and it was covered with a piece of moulding.

[prm99v6]

Here is a pinnacle (not mine) that was fixed at CT motor coach and cars. They convinced Jayco to pay for the relief cut after the repair was completed. Don’t have any idea how it held up and when I tried to have them to my repair they blew me off.

[Pchansen]

This seems like such an easy fix, assuming we can confirm that the flexing will not lead to a structural failure later on. Now, where can I get about 2’ of that trim? And how would you color match this. I have a 2019 so the base color is cream with no graphics to deal with.

[Pchansen]

Originally Posted by Jeffur

Yes, we tried drilling it to stop the growth, it didn’t work. The panel was repaired after and a relief cut put into it and it was covered with a piece of moulding.

Interesting. Apparently the crack propagated in such a way where it did not Relieve the stress. The last thing I would want is to cut a slot in the wrong place and still have it crack. Are you saying that since the repair and relief cut, you haven’t had anymore issues.

[robkelly]

Originally Posted by prm99v6

Here is a pinnacle (not mine) that was fixed at CT motor coach and cars. They convinced Jayco to pay for the relief cut after the repair was completed. Don’t have any idea how it held up and when I tried to have them to my repair they blew me off.

Attachment 55531Attachment 55530Attachment 55529

That's our rig, and I wouldn't go back to CT for that repair. They did a great job on the original repair and relief joint and it's still fine. A couple of months after we got the rig back though the joints where the new wall panel meets the original cracked. Rather than have them take it all apart again, especially as they couldn't guarantee a permanent fix, we simply had them make those two new cracks into additional "relief joints". I permanent fix probably would have been better, but we're not getting rid of this rig anytime soon so resale wasn't a concern.

[bill3kirk]

Got my 377 back on Friday 12/27. Indiana Transport delivered it.
After getting the winter road grime off the repair looks great. You would never know anything was cracked and work was done.

I don't have any pics of the frame (sidewall off) because I wasn't there this time but I did get this from Jayco -

"we have gone farther on the repair than we have on any other repair like this by adding brackets on the inside and outside of the wall."

They also added an additional bracket in the LP area. The first one on the left was from the October 2019 repair for the same issue.

Hopefully these repairs and the combination of the Hensely BD3 hitch will prevent another one.

First two pics need to be rotated to the right (have yet to figure out how to do that on the forum).

[Dskyward]

Repair looks good. Wow, a second bracket in the LP? My single bracket is on the left, too, like your first. And yet that’s interesting and amazes me how far it is from the crack location and so far right below the master slide.

Keep us informed...monthly checkups-how far towed?

[bill3kirk]

Today just noticed this in the bedroom. Not sure how I missed that!
Bottom of the wall at the corner of the bedroom slide (front). Obviously additional support related to the repair. Goes to the base of the floor.

Rotate pic to the right.

[RedHorse1]

The 377 is such a beautiful rig, it just kills me to read this kind of stuff. Our ‘13 351 is a bit shorter and quite a bit lighter and I’ve had no crack problems. I’d love to know the percentage of 377 owners that are having this issue. Our ‘13 has been remarkably trouble free, the biggest issues have been self inflicted. Zero issues with appliances (except the fridge which needed new vent fans in back).
I gotta think J didn’t do enough engineering when designing this 5th and is applying “band-aid” fixes which is about all they can do besides giving all buyers a new “upgraded” rig. The posts over the last 3-5 years makes me think J build quality has slipped and 3rd party component suppliers quality is slipping as well. The number of quality complaints seems to have increased since buying our 5th. I lurked quite a bit before our 1st purchase (X23B) and was 100% convinced that I wanted a J. That little J only had 1 warranty issue (failed stereo), J sent a replacement direct to me and I installed. I shipped the old one back and forgot to put the ship receipt in the box. Got a call from J abt a week later asking “how much”, I guessed and the reply was “can I send a check for that amt to you?”. Check arrived a week later.
I gotta say that thinking abt buying a new unit causes angst, don’t know what I’d do if this one had to be replaced. Still have the orig bearings (China) in play but have a set of Timken in my “spares” box.
Sorry for the rant. Love my J!

[Jorddarb]

Crack bottom left of MB slide wall. Developed about a year ago.

2017 387 RDFS
2015 3500 DRW no bags
B&W Companion Hitch from OCT 17 to March 19

2019 F350 DRW no bags till Jan 2020
BD5 hitch

Crack has staid the same size since discovery in late 2018.

[Bwanajohn]

Originally Posted by DMRGMC

Tom
I agree with your opinion. The QC issue explains the luck of the draw and randomness, having witnessed what happens on the Jayco assembly line as a result of the piece work incentive. They don’t stop for anyone or anything.
A comment from a technician friend, that works on 4 or 5 competing manufacturers as well as Jayco, was that it is usually lack of engineering of the components. So if there is a lack in the structure and one part of the assembly goes wrong, it is bound fail.
Also, just my opinion.

. Jayco knows that the cause of the death crack is lack of bracing in the corner. There is not enough support. And yes, I hav the dreaded crack! 2018 F-350, DRW, 4x4, 8’ bed, Companion hitch, airbags run ar 50-60 lbs. By the way, does the crack get longer? Mine is about 7” long now.

[Dskyward]

I’ve always thought my first crack was the longest, on the 377 RLBH. Quite ugly. Used silicone, which got dirty really quick. Currently lining up our third repair with Vogt RV in Ft Worth, a Jayco dealer who claims they’ve not seen any returns.


What does yours look like?

[TxLoser]

Originally Posted by Dskyward

I’ve always thought my first crack was the longest, on the 377 RLBH. Quite ugly. Used silicone, which got dirty really quick. Currently lining up our third repair with Vogt RV in Ft Worth, a Jayco dealer who claims they’ve not seen any returns.
Attachment 56048

What does yours look like?

Someone else on the forum is headed to Vogt in feb or March to have theirs done too. I think they do a number of them based a conversation I had with my service guy.

[Lowmiler]

Originally Posted by Bwanajohn

. Jayco knows that the cause of the death crack is lack of bracing in the corner. There is not enough support. And yes, I hav the dreaded crack! 2018 F-350, DRW, 4x4, 8’ bed, Companion hitch, airbags run ar 50-60 lbs. By the way, does the crack get longer? Mine is about 7” long now.

There’s a North Point in my campground whose crack is almost 1.5’ long, so yes, I think the crack gets longer over time if not addressed.