04 Vectra w/ Cracks at corners of bedroom slide

Bohica · 02-03-2009, 08:42 AM

I own a 2004 Vectra 40KD. I have recently noticed some severe cracks in the siding at each lower corner of the bedroom slide. Winnebago will not cover it, since it's an 04. I had Altman's Winnebago in Colton give me an estimate to repair, and was shocked at the cost, $5,500.

I don't consider these cracks as normal wear and tear, it's definitely a design problem as they said they see many coaches see this problem. I've worked my way up the Winnebago line, always a loyal customer and I'm bummed that they won't take care of it. Putting $5,500 into a coach that is nowhere near the value I paid for it doesn't make much sense to me.

Anyone know of any other reputable body shops in the socal area that might be more reasonable?

Thnaks for letting me rant.

C Zimm · 02-03-2009, 09:17 AM

I can sure relate to your problem. I can't help you out on another body shop but I agree Winnebago should step up and take care of it. Like you say, many coaches have experienced this problem and has been discussed a lot on this forum. I had mine repaired at the factory and they installed a frame stiffener kit as well. I'm not sure that it fixes the problem as I again have micro cracks at the leading lower corner. After time they will most likely propagate and cause a serious problem.
Go ahead and rant, after spending nearly 1/4 million we deserve better.
Hopefully someone else will chime in and reccommend a good shop.
Best regards...

Jay Lodge · 02-03-2009, 09:35 AM

I'm a newbie, just bought a 2006 Tour. Didn't notice any cracking but wasn't really looking for it either. I'm familiar with the random service cracking that fiberglass boat decks get after a decade or so. Is the cracking you've noticed THROUGH the thickness of the fiberglass, delaminating, or what? Please describe.

Bohica · 02-03-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jay Lodge:
I'm a newbie, just bought a 2006 Tour. Didn't notice any cracking but wasn't really looking for it either. I'm familiar with the random service cracking that fiberglass boat decks get after a decade or so. Is the cracking you've noticed THROUGH the thickness of the fiberglass, delaminating, or what? Please describe.

These are sizeable cracks in the fiberglass siding, all the way through. Not they typical spider cracks you often see in the Gelcoat on boats.

wagonmaster2 · 02-03-2009, 06:27 PM

Sorry to say, but with the economy like it is, it looks like what little Customer Service we have had has really gone down the toilet. Its hard to even get answers over the phone let alone actually get any service work done.
Hope you find a good repair shop without paying a small fortune.

Wagonmaster2

Jay Lodge · 02-04-2009, 12:12 AM

Wow. It's gotta be from some heavy torque on the panel either when the slide moves, or movement that's being permitted when/if its being jarred on the road. Not that it SHOULD have done so, but if the panel was stressed because of a "missmatch" to it's mounting when it was installed.
When you buy the top end of Win's Diesels, you sure don't expect those kind of problems, especially this soon.

C Zimm · 02-04-2009, 09:12 AM

The problem as I see it:
On the longer wheel base units the body twists and flexes too much (that's why they added a stifener kit to the chassis). The bedroom wall panel has a sharp 90 degree corner without proper back up reinforcement. On later model years they moved the slide out to the beltline and this relieved the problem.

FenceMan · 02-04-2009, 06:15 PM

have you seen this problem on all chassis

?? -- my ultimate freedom is on a sparton chassis -- wondering if it is a frame problem?

PeteB · 02-05-2009, 02:42 AM

I do not believe the reinforcement to the "frame" is the vehicle frame but the frame around the slideout opening. I have a 2004 Horizon 40AD and have had no sign of any cracking. I my opinion there would not be enough vehicle frame twist to cause this issue as if there was there would be broken ceramic tiles in the coach and a host of other indicators other than just the sidewall crack.
Pete

ll crack.

WINNE33 · 02-05-2009, 03:36 AM

Bohica

My 03 had 2 cracks just below the bedroom slide where the slide cornners come in. I noticed on the 04 Adventures the factory had put a 1 in square patch in that area. the patch is not just the answer. I also think they did some work on the side wall too. mine has not had any more problem. I think it was a design problem.
Keep battling

Winnie33

C Zimm · 02-05-2009, 06:41 AM

PeteB:
They added a chassis stiffener to my coach at the factory. It consists of two steel rails that run lengthwise on each side of the propane tank. This was a premade kit that they added when they repaired the side wall. I did not see what they did to the side wall. I think they said they added a back plate at the corner but I can't verify that. They did however cut about a three inch dia hole at the corner and affected the fiberglass repair.
While I was there they also added the stiffener kit to an '04 Horizon 40AD.

PeteB · 02-05-2009, 01:53 PM

I stand corrected. Please describe where the stiffner kit was installed. I do not understand how adding rails along my propane tank which is essentially under the kitchen will help the bedroom slide.

Pete

C Zimm · 02-05-2009, 09:39 PM

Hi Pete: The kit has a steel stringer running lengthwise on each side of the propane tank and are attached fore and aft via welding or bolting(don't recall which). These are supposed to reduce frame twisting.
I assume this will keep the side walls from twisting as much as well. Don't know if it really works or not as I'm seeing more tiny stress markers as before the rewok.