Rusting

[Texas Joe]

I have had my Solitude for 4 months. Last weekend I noticed the bumper, beams and box for the steps are beginning to rust. The key locks and thumb locks on the storage compartments are starting to corrode as well as most of the screws. What can I do to remove the rust and corrosion and prevent further rust and corrosion?

 

[Jahna]

I have not noticed rust on our locks but they were terrible to try and use you really had to struggle with them. We used plain old Vaseline on the key and shoved it into the locks. They turn like a breeze now and won't rust nor will they freeze. We use Vaseline in all door locks and the pin connection to the trucks about twice or three times a year.

 

[ACDW-Ottawa]

I applied Rustoleum Rubberized undercoating (black) (spray can $4 & 1qt can $20 at Home Depot) to all of the exposed metal (and bolt heads), side I-Beam, rear bumper, inside the rear bumper (as much as possible), exterior metal tubes encasing the levelling struts, metal box holding the stairs, and even to the metal walls inside the propane compartments. I also sprayed inside my front compartment after I caulked the gaps in there because that compartment was not water proof. I also used a matt black paint where applicable. I use both products as need for touch ups. You can use the "rust conversion" stuff if you think that necessary. I only had some surface rust so I just applied the undercoating. Before using the undercoating, I washed and wiped down the surfaces (where possible)

I used "RustCheck" to protect the trail air suspension between the tires as its a lighter product. Rustcheck is a Canadian product and don't know if its available in the USA www.rustcheck.com).

I used Boeshield-T9 ($20-$25 a can) on locks and other areas that needed it. I even apply Boeshield everywhere on my bicycle with a rag and its good for 3 months (I missed one screw it rusted so I know it works to prevent corrosion from salty environments near the ocean or where they use road salt.

For thumb locks and metal strike plats (entry door and slam door latches), I applied several coats of clear lacquer before installing the new ones that Grand Design sent to replace the ones that rusted prematurely in less than 3 months.

I heard that Quick-Glo is good to remove rust from chrome and protect from further corrosion so I will be buying that to check it out on my trailer wheels and truck bumper.

Hope that helps.

 

[Renee]

Thanks Aaron! that does help.

 

[Mr Lucky]

Great Ideas!

 

[Texas Joe]

Thank you for the great ideas. I guess I need to do some shopping this weekend.

 

[pauliwalnutz]

My 293res was built in Nov/13. I purchased it June 2014. My frame and all latches were very rusty and corroded. Looks like the dealer drove it through some pretty salty roads and didn't bother to clean it up afterwards. The dealer said they would paint the frame and polish the latches before I picked it up but of course that never got done. I removed the wheels, wire brushed the rust, painted the frame with rust paint and applied plenty of Rust Check Coat & Protect. I also polished all of the latches. Took over 2 full days days of my time. Upon removing the wheels to do the work I found that the rims were also corroded. The rim manufacturer is sending new rims. Some pics of the rust
https://plus.google.com/photos/104947198413391731770/albums/6047817485705244913?authkey=CPfy1ePw8a6vsgE
Beyond the rust I also have an issue with some bubbles under the linoleum causing the slide to rub through. I have a bad entry door assembly and some damage to my pantry door. The black tank doesn't shut tight so I get a nice rush of brown water when I remove the cap. My water heater didn't work on electric (found it unplugged inside the cabinet).

 

[thompsons 369rl]

Wow. That looks awful. Did it look like that when you took delivery? I don't get why the dealership would let something like that leave the lot. No way I would have accepted delivery of anything close to that condition.

 

[ACDW-Ottawa]

My trailer's frame was rusting the same way just from basic use. I drove from Ontario, Canada to Florida in December after picking it up on November 11, 2013 so it wasn't in much snow and yet the frame, strike plates, and screws were rusting. Also screws above the windows and on the rear ladder were corroding. I am hoping that GD received better screws and metals so the new replacements will be ok.

 

[ACDW-Ottawa]

I wonder what unit #s have experienced rust and corrosion like we have. Is it just the earlier trailer's like mine? Mine is # 1067.

 

[thompsons 369rl]

I wonder what unit #s have experienced rust and corrosion like we have. Is it just the earlier trailer's like mine? Mine is # 1067.

We have experienced very little rust on our unit (#0104). I must say that we haven't driven on salted roads so that surely has something to do with it. I try to stay on top of keeping stuff lubricated. I can also say that most of the undercarriage and metal components are steel. When steel is exposed to salty conditions, IT'S GONNA RUST unless extraordinary measures are taken to prevent it. I think the RV industry as a whole doesn't do a very good job of corrosion protection. Probably a cost thing. Owners have to be proactive to prevent it, especially if they are going to expose their rigs to environments that will promote corrosion.

My 2 cents

 

[pauliwalnutz]

Wow. That looks awful. Did it look like that when you took delivery? I don't get why the dealership would let something like that leave the lot. No way I would have accepted delivery of anything close to that condition.

Those pics were taken the day I took it home. Partly my fault is guess. I signed the papers before I got to see the trailer. The salesman said it would be painted and polished before I took possession but to be fair the dealer only had 3 days to get the trailer ready after financing was approved. Guess that wasn't enough time. I also picked it up 2 days before my reservations for a 4 day camping trip so didn't have the option to leave the trailer for them to fix it as my trade was now in their possession.

Not sure my build # but it had a date of Nov 2013 so my opinion is that the dealer was just too lazy to thoroughly wash the trailer and the frame after it was brought through salty roads. Either it was delivered on a winter day or the dealer took it to a show on wet/salty roads. It was a long winter here in Northern Ontario. Still no excuse for that much rust and corrosion.

 

[ACDW-Ottawa]

The build # is the last 4 digits of your serial number. Its also marked in yellow on your pinbox unless its been cleaned off.

 

[grandious]

I know my Solitude has out of control rust. The bumper, frame, fittings, axle housing and screws are rusting. It was rusted in the dealers lot but they promised to take care of it before delivery. Perhaps Grand Design will send someone out with a sand blaster and a spray gun. They could remove all the rust, treat the metal and paint everything again.

My theory is 1) the paint job was poor to begin with. 2) they trailers were towed through the winter and all of the road salt was never washed. 3) The resale value is going to suffer dramatically. I like the trailer generally but this is really getting bad.

Also, my bedroom floor plywood squeaks near the bathroom over the duct work. It seems to be getting worse. I hope this isn't water related in some way.

I wouldn't discourage folks from buying Grand Design. It really is a nice trailer. I think there was a batch, mine being one, which suffered a hard mid-west winter.

 

[Conk Shell]

I wonder what unit #s have experienced rust and corrosion like we have. Is it just the earlier trailer's like mine? Mine is # 1067.

We have a 2015 369RL and the frame is awfully rusted. ?

 

[Conk Shell]

I know my Solitude has out of control rust. The bumper, frame, fittings, axle housing and screws are rusting. It was rusted in the dealers lot but they promised to take care of it before delivery. Perhaps Grand Design will send someone out with a sand blaster and a spray gun. They could remove all the rust, treat the metal and paint everything again.

My theory is 1) the paint job was poor to begin with. 2) they trailers were towed through the winter and all of the road salt was never washed. 3) The resale value is going to suffer dramatically. I like the trailer generally but this is really getting bad.

Also, my bedroom floor plywood squeaks near the bathroom over the duct work. It seems to be getting worse. I hope this isn't water related in some way.

I wouldn't discourage folks from buying Grand Design. It really is a nice trailer. I think there was a batch, mine being one, which suffered a hard mid-west winter.

Our bedroom floor squeaks too.

 

[grandious]

Rust

We have a 2015 369RL and the frame is awfully rusted. ?

The last four of my VIN is 1265. If yours is like mine, anything painted black will rust. The bumper, fittings, frame .....

 

[C130TN]

I wonder what unit #s have experienced rust and corrosion like we have. Is it just the earlier trailer's like mine? Mine is # 1067.

I did not buy a particular 2015 385TH due to severe rust and was concerned about the problem with other units after seeing this particular 385. Dealer did agree to repaint it all to try and complete the sale but it was too excessive for me. I called Grand Designs and was told the dealers are supposed to clean the units when they arrive if delivered in the winter with possible salt. I was told the dealerships know this and it's very clear that they are responsible. I ended up going to another dealership out of state but my frame looks great. But, all of them will eventually show a little rust over a few years, especially if used on salty roads and not cleaned. My previous 2011 toy hauler showed no signs of any abnormal rust at all but I kept it very clean and never towed on salty roads.

 

[dirtclod-MGRV]

My guess is that the bare unpainted frames sat out and we're rusty before they had $5.00 worth of paint put on over the already rusty frames.

 

[Bob/OlallaWA]

My guess is that the bare unpainted frames sat out and we're rusty before they had $5.00 worth of paint put on over the already rusty frames.

That is my guess also. Salt during the winter raises heck with stuff, but hidden rust doesn't stay hidden for long. The better dealers clean and redo the frames as needed, the others well, they sell rusty stuff.