zephyr Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Just noticed a split in the bodywork just to the left of the step (between step and battery box) of my '93 Warrior. It is obviously caused by weight on the step but I doubt if a simple fiberglass patch will do the trick. Any suggestions please? Thanks, Tony (Portland OR) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanAatTheCape Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 do you have a structural issue? That is not a place I would expect to see a "split". Pic's please. I would get under & take a really close & good look at the chassis for crinkles, twists, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanAatTheCape Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 do you have any bubbling under your skin in other places? do you live in an area where you have hard freezes? is your camper stored where it can get wet & freeze in the winter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTP146 Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Thanks a lot for your comments - photo attached for any further observations. The crack does widen when weight is on the step and is smaller with no weight. Step is securely attached and chassis moves when using step, battery box is good and I don't see anything obviously rotted or broken underneath. MH Crack- sm.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NVNGRR Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 I have a crack just like that. I know exactly how it happened. Within a month after I installed the slide out step on my Toy my teenage (at the time) son decided to bounce off the step on his way out the door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolphinite no longer here Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 I had a similiar crack develop on my aluminum sided Dolphin but the crack(s) were above the door. After patching with some metal scrap, I removed the step. It was cheaply made and poorly attached anyway. Also, I found out that I just didn't need it... John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanAatTheCape Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 I was envisioning a vertical crack. Your horizontal crack looks like something below the crack pulling down - the step theory makes a lot sense to me - I would look at where that step is attached,and if you are going to keep it - beef it up. As for patching the fiberglass - I like MarineTex - a 2 part epoxy. Sure there are many other similar products Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mission mike Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 We have an 89 warrior and the step is fabricated from sheet metal, its a pretty sturdy rectangle, three sides and a bottom (the step) welded together, its hard to see, but it looks like the step is either welded or bolted to the square tubing that the coach frame is constructed from, so I would check on the broken side and see how the step is attached to the frame, it looks like it would be an easy fix! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5Toyota Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 then buy one of those little screw adjustable step supports sold and made for the purpose of step reinforcement. we have one works great. bought at our local RV store. on dirt I stick a piece of 1 by 4 under it. we are both 200. I noticed our step was bending down sure helps. Has a screw on top and a bottom piece with a snap button in a set of holes two ways to set it. Don't remember the price but was not much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zephyr Posted September 17, 2014 Author Share Posted September 17, 2014 Thanks a lot for all your advice - I believe the step to be the problem so have removed that and will keep a stepstool handy. Now on to patching the fiberglass and I do like the idea of a kick plate to cover the patch. Thanks again and I'll be back for more help I am sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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