Corrosion on skin of camper

[DougDayFL]

I discovered a few bubbles under the paint of my trailer and when I touched the spots, the paint chipped off and there was corrosion on the aluminum that left a small hole in the skin.

Has anyone seen this before and how do I repair the hole?

Thanks,

Doug and Linda
2016 212QBW

[deano]

It appears to be oxidation to the aluminum. Same as rust is to steel. It looks like moisture trapped on the inside of aluminium panel and oxidizing it's way out causing the paint to lift. Is it around the wheel well where dirt can build up and hold moisture against the panel . Hopefully not the walls between wood and siding.

[DougDayFL]

The oxidation is on the left side of the camper, up near the black rubber trim. I'm hoping I can get to it from inside the storage area. Any suggestions how to get rid of the oxidation?

[deano]

Try to seal where moisture is entering and if possible some how dry out the trapped moisture. If that is possible you can use a sandable filler to fill pin holes and smooth out surfaces at damage spots touch up primer and try to match some touch up spray paint. Until all the moisture problem is solved it will continue. Good luck

[Jagiven]

On a 4 year old TT, I find it hard that the aluminum siding has started to corrode (Aluminum Oxide). If it was 30 years old, and has seen all kinds of road salts, then yes.

My suspicion is that there is a steel staple under that aluminum and the two dissimilar metals caused galvanic corrosion. I would think that the siding will need to be removed and the staple(s) sealed so they don't touch the aluminum.

My other suspicion is a defect in the manufacturing of the siding (impurity) and you are getting that same galvanic corrosion.

How to fix it? Not sure. I would think you need completely to remove the oxidation, then seal it. If it is a galvanic reaction, you need to eliminate the reaction.

How many old aluminum beer/soda cans have you found in the woods, that are still in great shape.

[Danno]

This is why we buy new every 3-4 years. They're just not built to last.

[RAurand]

Originally Posted by Danno

This is why we buy new every 3-4 years. They're just not built to last.

Humph, my 2016 28BHBE was purchased in October of 2015. Still looks new. I take care of it. Check the roof every time my son goes up to sweep off the slide. Wax it 3 times a year.

[deano]

Good point jagivin. Whatever the cause is to remove the source so it doesn't possibly continue. Hopefully it's just a couple bad spots in the manufacturing and be a easier repair. Good luck

[Jungle]

What you are seeing is most likely something steel touching the aluminum skin. These two metals do not play nice when touching each other unless there is a barrier or coating. I have not seen this in anything this new is a very long time. If you are the original owner, before giving up on Jayco, you might want to send Jayco a note with your picture just to see if they might do anything for you. At least they might be able to diagnose what is going on. Good Luck.

[Danno]

Originally Posted by RAurand

Humph, my 2016 28BHBE was purchased in October of 2015. Still looks new. I take care of it. Check the roof every time my son goes up to sweep off the slide. Wax it 3 times a year.

I take care of my things too, but some things only last so long. It's great that you wax it, and that will definitely keep the paint from fading, but what about the backside of the aluminum panels? It's paper thin bare aluminum with no anodizing or primer so it's prone to corrode from the inside out especially if there's any kind of steel fastener touching it. You could have 1/2" of wax on it and it will still happen especially if you're from Florida where you're surrounded by salt. The only way you can prevent this kind of damage is to either flip your trailers every couple years or move to Arizona.

[Screwby]

There was a similar post about this kind of issue a long time ago. Not sure what the circumstance was or who’s camper it was but I remember it was like Jagiven said, that situation was steel touching the aluminum skin. Yours is not an isolated incident, it’s happened before.