Siding problems with the T-1950

[Lance]

precorguy:

How can you say that the quality issue is a myth for the late model units if you had no studs? You did expect studs to be there right?
That would be quite an oversight to skip in the framework of the unit.
Maybe I am missing something (hopefully not studs).

And Sunline Fan - I couldn't help but notice that you list an 08 model trailer in your sign-off. I didn't think they made any 08's.
The factory closed in November of 2006 didn't it?

[MACK C-85]

Lance, see this post for the explanation of the '08 Model:
http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/ph...&highlight=jon

[Sunline Fan]

Originally Posted by MACK C-85

Lance, see this post for the explanation of the '08 Model:
http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/ph...&highlight=jon

Yep, that's it, #5001 is the only '08 model known. It really stinks, I didn't get to order what I wanted on either one!

Jon

[wobbly]

Our 2007 T-1950 doesn't have this problem....yet.
Perhaps posting the pictures at the RV.net forum might elicit a reply from someone who had a similar problem.

[rmstack]

I have never seen anything like that before. It almost looks like the siding was folded or had something sitting on it at the factory to crease it like that.

My suggestion would be to contact the service department at Stoltzfus RV, Adamstown, PA, send pictures and ask if they have any idea what could cause this. They are the closest dealer to the now closed factory and where I have purchased several Sunlines. Use the web address below to find their phone number/address.
http://stoltzfusrvs.com/Default.asp

[kanyonkitty]

Toll Free # for Stoltzfus: 800-752-2988

[JohnB]

Hi Lance

I know this is a long time after your post, but I found these tonight when I was looking for some pic’s for another fellow camper.

While I do not have the siding issues as progressed as you do, I do have mini version of it. And it is not from something hitting the TT. Or at least 2 of them anyway.

See here under the awning. This is on my 2004 T2499. This TT has been mostly in the garage for more of it’s life then outside.



Here is another mini version by the window, again in the door side.


Here is one on the non door side. This one looks like it got hit, but I have no idea on what would of ever hit it. And up this high.


They do seem to soften in certain conditions of heat/cold. My thoughts are heat/cold expansion caused this, it’s just yours are really advanced. The ends of all these campers are sealed up shut. So they can’t grow on the ends.

We haven’t heard back from you on this. Did you ever get this corrected and any pics of what the siding looked like under the creases? Was the siding nailed to the studs in the areas where the creases where?

I’m still thinking heat/cold shrink is what caused this but why it seems to only be on the top panel areas is a mystery. On my T310SR I do have a summer heat waffle along the non door side, but it goes back down at night and there is no crease marks. It is in the middle of the camper in the top to bottom direction.

Hope this helps some to at least know there are others with a version of what you have.

John

[SanDimasJoe]

Hi Lance,

While puttsing around my sunline today, I just happened to glance down the driver side of the trailer, a 2553, and noticed a crease in the siding about one foot down from the top. I really think that this is a heat related problem because the driver side of the trailer is always facing the sun, summer and winter. I did notice that the siding was wavy in a couple of places along that side but never thought anything of it until now that I saw that vertical crease. What to do? Nothing I suppose. Just live with it. Oddly, the passenger side is nice and straight, no buckling or creases.

Joe

[Lance]

Thanks for the recent pictures and comments.
Finally someone has a version of the same issue.
This tells me the problem is probably superficial rather than deep structural (if older non-leaking trailers have the problem too).
I think it is completely a heat expansion thing. It seems increasingly unlikely this is anything more than cosmetic.
It shrinks again when it gets cold but still leaves a bit of evidence that an event occured (trace mark).
The problem is most likely always at the top row of siding because this is the area with the least amount of flexibility. It is contained by two sides and the roof molding. Siding against siding in the lower panels probably has more flex.
Also this section is continuous, unlike some lower sections broken up by windows, vents, cargo doors, etc.
I would say "that's my theory and I'm sticking with it" but someone may convince me of something else yet in this post.

[JohnB]

Originally Posted by Lance

The problem is most likely always at the top row of siding because this is the area with the least amount of flexibility. It is contained by two sides and the roof molding. Siding against siding in the lower panels probably has more flex.
Also this section is continuous, unlike some lower sections broken up by windows, vents, cargo doors, etc.
I would say "that's my theory and I'm sticking with it" but someone may convince me of something else yet in this post.

Lance, good to hear from you again.

Yep I'm with ya and I'm sticking to it too...

Oddly, with all the Sunlines and other brand campers out there built very similar, this problem is not as advanced as yours. Having put plastic siding on houses before, this expansion deal is for sure real and aluminum has it issues too if not accounted for.

There must be a method on how to do this so it does not buckle as much as yours, but without someone in the TT building or RV siding business to help explain what not to do to not have this happen, it is still a mystery.

John

[Lance]

Just a couple other thoughts -
It seems to me that if the person cutting the siding made a bad cut (meaning too much material / too long) it would cause this problem pretty easy. Maybe the jig used for multiple cuts was not setup correctly.
The reason it happens along the strip next to the roof could also be because of the amount of heat the roof absorbs radiating somewhat to the closest strip of siding adjacent to it.
If this is what is happening you would certainly think Sunline would have figured that out long ago as trailer manufacturing 101.
I still think at the end of the production run quality must have suffered a bit. I know if I suspected the factory was about to close it would be hard for me to approach the job with a "normal" attitude and work ethic.
I talked to dealers that knew what was going on six months before the factory closed. They were even surprised that there was a 2007 model out. The workers must have seen the rapidly dwindling amount of materials available from their supply yard.
I worked in a shoe factory long ago and if there were no soles, heels, or leather sheets being brought to the factory everyone would know about it real quick.

[Sunline Fan]

Lance,

What's your VIN (or at least the last 4 digits)? I'm curious as to how late yours is.

Jon