Sidewall Separating From Front Corner Post

kfields131

Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2017
Messages
10
Location
Buffalo, NY
We have a 2018 Imagine 2600RB and just noticed that the sidewall corner is separating from the front corner post. It has pulled back about 1/2” and has a gap in one area. We removed the vinyl screw cover and found 6 of the screws rusty, we tried to remove the screws to get a visual, but they just turn. It starts well below the roof, so that doesn’t seem to be the problem. You can push it back into place from the front, but obviously the screws aren’t holding it. Any ideas on how to remove the screws and to re-attach it?
 

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Try to pinch the screws with a needle nose pliers and pull them out . Is this just on one side or both? The way it seperated it almost looks like something caught it and pulled it away from the wall.
 
That's not great news for a new camper. Obviously, water has made it to those screws. It is either getting in under the trim from the side someplace due to bad caulking, or it could be getting in under the flexible vinyl trim insert - perhaps at the top. Fortunately, the framing that the screws are attached is aluminum and not wood like the old days (although there may be wood inside the aluminum frame). So, if you are not going back for warranty work and plan to handle this yourself, the first step is to determine why those screws are getting exposed to water already. The manufacturers always use pretty cheap trim insert material - they pretty much cheap out on just about anything they can. So, maybe it wasn't seated well into the channels and water made its way in. Regarding the screws, you have a couple of choices...twist them out with vice grips and see what's underneath and if there is anything else to be concerned about. Or, leave them and put new screws in an inch above or below each of the ones that are stripped (if you use self tapping screws like the ones that are there already, run the new screw in a bit and pull it out and caulk the hole before driving it home). I'd go ahead and pull all the screws on that corner while you're at it, caulk the holes and drive the screws back in. Then caulk the edges of the trim and make sure the vinyl cover is properly seated into the channels. Or upgrade to a better insert https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079H33GYZ/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_8?smid=&th=1 if you want to go that far. That is disappointing. Good luck with the repair.
 
We have a 2018 Imagine 2600RB and just noticed that the sidewall corner is separating from the front corner post. It has pulled back about 1/2” and has a gap in one area. We removed the vinyl screw cover and found 6 of the screws rusty, we tried to remove the screws to get a visual, but they just turn. It starts well below the roof, so that doesn’t seem to be the problem. You can push it back into place from the front, but obviously the screws aren’t holding it. Any ideas on how to remove the screws and to re-attach it?

I would lean towards something caught and pulled the trim loose.

Rusty screw heads are common, as the vinyl trim strip is just there to cover the screw heads, it is NOT a waterproof barrier. Some manufacturers don't even use them.

You could leave what is there in place and add screws between them. There should be an aluminum frame in the corner to attach to.
 
We will attempt to get try that to get the screws out. It is just on the one side. Last weekend was the first time we have been camping this year, due to being sick. We were on a site that was in full sun, no trees so thinking this may have something to do with it pulling out. It is parked in the shade side of our house. If something hit the trim or corner there would be dents or other damage.
 
Its a 2018...not new anymore.

7 model years old....

Boy, I need to slow down and read closer - second mistake today. Not sure why I thought it was a new 2024 unit. I'm sure the repair will go just fine. I've refurbished older units where the wood rotted in the corners and had to be reframed; that job is a lot tougher. If you find the screws stripped the hole, just use larger diameter screws. I also meant to mention that rather than using self-tapping screws (which can end up enlarging the hole if not driven straight), you can use regular screws and drill the hole instead - slightly smaller than needed for extra holding power. Good luck!
 
We were able to get the screws out & the ones that were rusty were installed at an angle, longer and of a different kind than the lower ones. The screw threads were rusted. Now we are thinking this was a cover up at the factory when the screws didn’t bite they just did this. Trying to decide if we should try to use longer screws to see if they bite into the frame or take it to a dealer.
 
You've gone this far, don't take it to the dealer if you can use larger diameter screws and get them to bite. Or, as I said earlier, caulk those holes, move down an inch, drill a hole and drive the screw in and see if you get a good bite. Don't over torque or you'll strip it out again. Water got to the screws so caulking will be important. The water could be running down the side of the trim and entering where this is just enough opening, so caulk each edge of the trim and make sure the screw cover is properly seated in the channels. Also caulk a the top if it doesn't look like the screw that holds that vinyl cover hasn't been properly caulked. Good luck!
 

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