Surface Crack

[John612]

Discovered this today, just above and aft of driver side slide-out.

Thoughts or experiences?

Thx, John

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[Ynot4me2]

Looks like the wall structure might be compromised. When the slide is extended, it rest on the top portion. Also looks like your missing a piece of that horizontal Dseal. It should be overlapping the vertical d-seal.

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[Scott'n'Wendy]

Kind of looks to me that someone drilled that crack when it was 1/2" long or so. Are you the original owner?

[John612]

We're original owners, the hole isn't deep, maybe 1/8".

Talked to the repair department at Bakersfield RV, I've had work done there before, good guys.
He recommended installation of an expansion joint to reduce pressure on that area, he sees these cracks all the time on 5W's, although they are normally near the front slide out.
Will be ~$600 poorer but should be good as new.

[jkwilson]

Looks like possibly somebody has worked on that slide. Maybe damage from improper support during removal? That’s so close to the rear of the trailer I wouldn’t think there would be a lot of bending stress on the trailer unless the rear struck the ground while hauling. Any signs of impact?

[Canyonlight]

John @jkwilson - this is the first I have seen this on any 303 for either the lower front inside corner of the BR slide or the upper rear exterior of the kitchen slide. I am curious as to how each other corner both inside and out look for each of the 3 slides. Trust you have already checked out and nothing unusual which is good.

Jerry McCarthy shared the same with me about the relief section and exterior rubber cap strip where the bedroom slide is due to the frame flexing that can and does occur in this area with fivers as you shared. Jerry also shared that he had seen no frame issues with any 303 when we had our conversations and walls replaced in spring of 2018. As shared by others, it certainly could be different with your 303 but based on what you have posted hopefully not.

I would suggest contacting GDRV customer service center to share your findings and pictures. Their vast experience in working on thousands of GDRVs for nearly 10 years will certainly be of interest and value in diagnosing what could be more serious or not.

Dan

[Scott'n'Wendy]

That's interesting. If you have time after the repair, I'd like to see a pic of what they do for you.
I've got the same trailer so it might come in handy...

[bjlakatos]

Expansion joint is the answer for sure. BUT—first have to ensure you have root caused the problem. I would double check the slide adjustment so that it is not over extending when in the OUT position.

BTW, I would drill it immediately to prevent further spread until you get it repaired. (Cover with proflex for the time being to prevent t water inclusion)

[John612]

Thanks bj, what's the procedure for checking the slide adjustment?

[John612]

Talked to Greg @ GD this morning, here are the pics I sent him.
I noticed what looked like an expansion joint just in front of the bedroom slide, he told me that's standard on most 5th wheels.







Not sure why but these two photos are rotated, the crack should be vertical, carpet on the bottom


this is the expansion joint just in front of the bedroom slide, the strip is actually vertical, bottom of the bedroom side should be on the top of the photo.
What's interesting is that the crack is directly inboard of the expansion joint.