Bulging outside wall cladding of van when towing
Submitted: Monday, Feb 21, 2011 at 19:40
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Member - Michael C (WA)
Hi fellow caravaners,
Have any of you guys had this problem when towing, it goes back to normal when we stop. It seems that the cladding has come away from the frame. I would like to hear from fellow caravners if any who have had this problem, before I go to a reparer.
Regards and Thank you,
Michael and Valerie
Reply By: ding x - Monday, Feb 21, 2011 at 19:55
Monday, Feb 21, 2011 at 19:55
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Reply By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Monday, Feb 21, 2011 at 20:09
Monday, Feb 21, 2011 at 20:09
G/Day Michael
I have seen one that has bulged in the front over the boot, apparently
the gap in the frame work where the cladding was fastened, was to far apart, and when driving into a head wind you could see it buckle inwards, and when you made a close inspection you could see the hollows in the cladding, yes it does happen.
Cheers
AnswerID:
446203
Follow Up By: Member - Mark G Gulmarrad - Monday, Feb 21, 2011 at 22:10
Monday, Feb 21, 2011 at 22:10
Daza
me thinks the bulging would be from an excessive amount of grog in the front of your boot..:-)
FollowupID:
718553
Reply By: Member - Joe n Mel n kids (FNQ - Monday, Feb 21, 2011 at 21:23
Monday, Feb 21, 2011 at 21:23
to me that sound serious, to do that it has to be leaking air in from the front and building pressure, it could
well "pop" the sheeting right off ....
I have heard of vans doing it but not seen it....
AnswerID:
446210
Follow Up By: Member - Michael C (WA) - Monday, Feb 21, 2011 at 21:56
Monday, Feb 21, 2011 at 21:56
Hi Joe,
Yep, I also think I have a big problem. If it is leaking air in from the front, when it rains it will then be leaking water. The van is two and a half years old,
dam!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for your input guys
FollowupID:
718551
Follow Up By: AGNI4x4 - Tuesday, Feb 22, 2011 at 07:01
Tuesday, Feb 22, 2011 at 07:01
I would take it for a run in the rain and see if it's leaking water .................. for if it leaks air then it will certianly leak water as you say. If you can find no water ingress then I would say that either the back of your vehicle or the front of the van is creating a low pressure area along it's sides which can and will cause the problem you are having. Could even try towing it with a different vehicle to eliminate this theory of vehicle vortex being the culprit.
Cheers
FollowupID:
718576
Reply By: normglenda - Monday, Feb 21, 2011 at 23:04
Monday, Feb 21, 2011 at 23:04
Hi
I had the same issues and did a lot of research and cut a long story short it is quite normal for some vans to have some panel warp in some circumstances. So the caravan industry says anyway.
If you want to send me an email to gn150@hotmail.com I will give you my telephone number and you can call me and I will go into more detail if you like. Or I can call you as I have skype and long distance calls are real cheap tp landlines. I am in SA.
Regaeds
Norm
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446220
Follow Up By: Member - Kevin J (Sunshine Coa - Tuesday, Feb 22, 2011 at 17:03
Tuesday, Feb 22, 2011 at 17:03
And the caravan industry would be wrong yet again. Yes it is normal for a small variation to be present in side panelling but the emphasis is on small. This sounds like a little more serious than that.
Is the distortion visible when the van is at rest or only when travelling?
How old is the van and have you taken your concerns to the manufacturer?
If the bulging is as obvious as you indicate then I would be taking it to a repairer or the like for a professional assessment.
It is not much fun to see a van which has blown apart in transit because a side frame has failed. Tends to spread your belongings over a wide area and does nothing for your travel plans.
Kevin J
FollowupID:
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Reply By: ao767brad - Tuesday, Feb 22, 2011 at 20:44
Tuesday, Feb 22, 2011 at 20:44
This has been a documented problem on a number of forums but most of the reports have been from windsor owners. Our windsor rapid has some panel warp on the roof but certainly not bulge as you describe. Is it only when the pressure hatch is open or is it all the time?
AnswerID:
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