univmd
Maryland
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Joined: 03/02/2009
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While carefully backing out of a parking spot, I made my first RV "boo-boo," I cracked the thin fiberglass chin (bumper) of my RV on hard packed snow while backing out of a parking space. I was so upset even though everyone on here already told me that all will experience a first boo-boo sooner or later (I thought I could be more careful than everyone on here). I didn't think the snow was going to be a big deal when backing out. These fiberglass bumbers seem to be more aesthetic than functional, breaking so easily, even on snow.
1.) Have U ever caught your RV's fiberglass chin (bumper) on something?
2.) The crack is along a molding line (caused by the fiberglass chin being bent forward by the pile of snow as I backed up) thus I think I can fix & hide the crack by using Loctite epoxy & caulking, along the molding & crack. How would U fix?
2008 Gulfstream Tourmaster T40C
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hershey
Albuquerque,(fulltime) NM, USA
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Caught a rock while making a sharp turn in Joshua Tree about 5 years ago and ripped the left rear cap loose from the MH. $5,000.00 worth of damage to repair, but the repair was invisible and really a professional job.
While in a spot in an RV park in St.George, UT, an Alfa pulled in and with the wife directing the driver into a pull thru site, he caught the rear cap on the electrical shorepower post and ripped it loose from the MH. The driver was on oxygen and barely able to move around and I was able to push things back into place and replace the small screws under the moulding in new sports and I have to say, the repair was invisible. I never got a thank you for that but at least I felt good about it.
hershey - albuquerque, nm
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XBoater
Lunenburg MA
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Well, technically someone caught my bumper.
While traveling on the GSP, a Saturn lost control and started spinning. He was traveling much fast than me and while spinning overtook me and his nose spun under my left rear corner crunching my rear compartment framing and door, tearing off the left corner and "bumper". As his nose continued it's spin under my rear it encountered the drag frame welded to the end of the chassis frame. The drag frame ripped the front end off the Saturn and suffered only a scratch.
Very fortunately there were no injuries, I lost a little fiberglass and the Saturn had spewed parts and fluids all over the GSP.
The shop owned by a friend ended up using some sort of epoxy and re-finished the parts he could saving me some $$$ over new parts.
Amazing how much RV body parts are. This was also a reason we did not go with a troubled or orphaned RV when purchasing. Where to get body parts ? Almost everything else on an RV is made by someone other than the RV manufacturer.
* This post was
edited 11/14/09 10:08am by XBoater *
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Hjudge49
St. Augustine, Fl.
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Joined: 08/15/2007
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Your repair solution might work if the crack is on a molding line. I would probably grind the gelcoat off the inside of the bumper and glass in a patch to hold the repaired parts together. The rear bumper (fiberglas) on our coach had to be cut and removed to replace the engine last year. The body shop repaired and repainted it and the reapir is invisible. That's the nice thing about fiberglas. I'm leary of repairing glas with putty or "Bondo", since it oftens falls off or cracks. I much prefer to glass in patches or fillers with good quality resin and either cloth or woven roving, then repaint.
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jim1632
Arlington, VA
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Joined: 10/22/2003
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Happens all the time with our cars. Expect it to happen to the front of the RV at some time. There must be some type of undiscovered magnetism between fiberglass body parts and anything stationary.
Just try to put some new screws in or other makeshift repair because its inevitably going to happen again.
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rgatijnet1
Florida
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Patch it the best way that you can and then cover the crack with some of the vinyl reflecting tape. very appropriate for a bumper and the tape will hide the crack and provide an extra measure of safe visibility at night.
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Just Bob
Connecticut
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hershey wrote:Caught a rock while making a sharp turn in Joshua Tree about 5 years ago and ripped the left rear cap loose from the MH. $5,000.00 worth of damage to repair, but the repair was invisible and really a professional job.
While in a spot in an RV park in St.George, UT, an Alfa pulled in and with the wife directing the driver into a pull thru site, he caught the rear cap on the electrical shorepower post and ripped it loose from the MH. The driver was on oxygen and barely able to move around and I was able to push things back into place and replace the small screws under the moulding in new sports and I have to say, the repair was invisible. I never got a thank you for that but at least I felt good about it.
hershey wrote:The driver was on oxygen and barely able to move around Now THAT's scary
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Deen
Vancouver, WA
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Yes!
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Jay Pat
Round Rock, TX
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Joined: 06/03/2009
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Hope it never happens again!
Anytime you have an accident and break off fiberglass pieces, gather and save them!! Hopefully, they can be used in the repair and that will save time and your money!
Pat
Future home of future RV.....
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gonzo71
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Joined: 10/05/2003
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I had our coach parked outside my house on the street for 2 days. My neighbour backed into the coach. Apperently she did not see the coach. W H A T ???? Did not see? I told her if she cannot see a 34 Class A, she needs to give up driving, her husband agrees!
$2000 damage to the rear bumber.
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2002 Holiday Rambler Vacationer 34SBD, W22 Workhorse, 8.1L Vortec
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