Front Skin Repair Starts Monday

Jwh92020 · 07-22-2017, 10:55 AM

Dropped off the trailer at my RV guy's shop today to get the front skin replaced. After giving the trailer a once over, he said I pretty much stole it at $2500. While he has it, he's going to check bearings, brakes & insure that they are safe and ready to roll. I'm also having him service the ac to make sure it's clean (mud daubers make a mess of things) and working like it should. It's blowing cold air, so I assume it's fine, just want to be sure it's clean. He also suggested keeping the front window. He said when he re-installs it, he will give me a 'if it ever leaks, I'll fix it guarantee". I've known him for years, so that's good enough for me. Will post a pic of the new front skin when I pick it up next week. Then we (the trailer and I head for Warrensburg, MO to do a kitchen remodel on 7/30.
http://www.funfinderclub.com/forums/...picture698.jpg

Beachseeker · 07-22-2017, 11:46 AM

So other than looking a little lumpy what's wrong with the skin? Any idea what caused it? Just curious as my trailer has a little bit of what yours has.

Thanks,
Jon

Michigantraveler · 07-22-2017, 12:08 PM

Care to share his quote price? This unfortunately is a common problem.

Jwh92020 · 07-22-2017, 12:10 PM

When I first saw it, my initial thought was water damage. After giving it an up close & personal check out, the only water damage I found was under the passenger side front window inside the trailer. My RV guy said that many manufacturers do a really poor job of adhering the underlay panels to the frame. Too little adhesive, not enough cure time, etc. Then they do just as bad a job of laying the skin down. Sometimes it's just hot sun beating down on what is basically a plastic skin with a bit of glue under it. At some point, the glue will let go. If you leave a Formica counter top in direct sun, it doesn't take a ton of heat for the glue to release. Same thing applies here. He is going to remove the skin and the underlay, install new underlay to the frame and re-skin it using a fiberglass panel material similar to Filon. While the front skin is off, he is going to re-glue the front edges of the sidewalls to insure they hold tight for years to come. No point in doing all the work to pull the front skin and not address a potential problem area.

Jwh92020 · 07-22-2017, 12:13 PM

For the front skin replacement and re-gluing the front edges of the sidewalls "just to be sure", he said worst case $600+/-.

Michigantraveler · 07-22-2017, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jwh92020

For the front skin replacement and re-gluing the front edges of the sidewalls "just to be sure", he said worst case $600+/-.

That is an incredibly good price in my opinion! Thank you. Amazing.

Jwh92020 · 07-22-2017, 05:25 PM

He is one of those guys that loves his work and isn't looking to get rich from it. He has more work than he can handle and makes a good living without gouging people.

Michigantraveler · 07-22-2017, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jwh92020

He is one of those guys that loves his work and isn't looking to get rich from it. He has more work than he can handle and makes a good living without gouging people.

Fortunate for you.

profdant139 · 07-23-2017, 02:36 AM

The materials alone will cost almost that much -- your phenomenal luck continues! Well done.

Jwh92020 · 07-23-2017, 08:01 AM

He is using remnant pieces, so there is a possibilty of a horizontal seam. For the price and the quality of work he does, I'm ok with it.

profdant139 · 07-23-2017, 09:13 AM

Remnants? Another lucky break. You really ought to buy a lottery ticket -- with your luck, you are sure to win!

Marti · 07-24-2017, 09:29 PM

That's a great price. Where is this guy?

Jwh92020 · 07-25-2017, 05:40 AM

He is in Oklahoma City

Jwh92020 · 07-26-2017, 02:17 PM

I just got back from visiting my partially naked trailer. The front skin is off and the structure looks really good except for the lower curve on the passenger side. One piece of 1 x 2 is split - looks like it came from the factory like that. There is some water damage to the underlay on the passenger side. He is going to remove the awning and drip rail, pull the skin back past the front speaker and replace the underlay. Then he'll reattach the skin working his way forward. I asked him to remove the outdoor speakers and cover the holes for now. The front speaker is not sealed and the rear looks to be the same. The driver's side wall is still solid and the skin is still glued down. He said he will release the front edge of the skin, clean it and re-glue it. He is replacing the wood framework on the passenger side front. He'll then put new underlay on the front and re-skin it. New metal seam covers & inserts are going on. He is going to repack the bearings and replace the brakes (they are at about 50%) so that I start out with fresh brakes. He's already cleaned and serviced the ac and run a full systems test. He said I'm going to be into all the work for $1500. The biggest part is going to be the passenger side skin repair. The only interior water damage he found was under the front passenger side window and it is just on the trim strip under the window. To be in what will be a solid trailer for $4000 isn't too bad.

Zuluaga63 · 08-31-2017, 08:18 AM

that is really cheap to do that hole job , its a lot of work .. how long will he take to do the job

I just bought a 18'' for $1700 and it needs the front part to be replace .. can you post some pictures of the work he is doing

Here is a picture of mine