end caps

[lincow]

Hi,
I have a crack in my end cap. I have 2002 22ft. It looks like plastic to me.
When did they stop making the end caps out of plastic? How does that affect the repair?
Lincow


9220 Towlite
0222 Hilo Towlite
2010 Exepedition
Las Vega NV

 

[JackandJanet]

I don't know that they ever stopped. I think my caps are plastic.

If the crack has not reached an edge, stop drill it right away to prevent further spread. You could tape it with Eternabond tape, I think, or fill the crack with Lexel (or both).

- Jack

 

[sam-HILO]

cracked plastic end cap

I have a classic and the end caps are fiberglass (1990). Not sure when they changed to plastic end caps. Several owners have had these plastic end caps crack. Jack has given you the correct stop gap measure. Lexel caulk can be purchased at ACE Hardware or on line. It is a caulk that can be also used to seal the exterior of your windows. It sells for $8.00 a tube. Plastic end caps are lighter,but don't hold up to the road bouncing/flexing. A poor quality design change. Perhaps another reason HiLo went out of business.

 

[slider-HILO]

Seems to me that with all of these end caps cracking it may be worth while for someone to create another mold and do a run out of fiberglass?

Rick

 

[Luckydog671]

Seems to me that with all of these end caps cracking it may be worth while for someone to create another mold and do a run out of fiberglass?

Rick

Sounds like a business opportunity!

 

[lincow]

End caps

The previous owner of my 2002 22TD backed into something and cracked the top corner of the end cap. Also the interior wall has expanded an inch but there is no open gap the wall is stable. I am not sure is this is something I need to fix. Has anyone taken out the back interior of the bathroom? I was wondering what it looks like. New discovery. It is not attached on the upper corner. Is this piece of luan glued or nailed in place?

 

[C317414]

Sounds like a business opportunity!

Already thought of...

Home - Midget RV & Trailer Service

 

[hilltool]

I had bad cracks from the winter. Just got done today filling with west systems " Gel Flex". Will sand tomorrow and try to paint. I think it will stop it from spreading but it's going to be ugly. I really didn't have the space to remove the cap and do a better/cleaner repair. I'll try to get some photos.

 

[JIM L-HILO]

J&R has a supply of end caps an also fresh water/waste water tanks.

 

[RichR]

I had bad cracks from the winter. Just got done today filling with west systems " Gel Flex". Will sand tomorrow and try to paint. I think it will stop it from spreading but it's going to be ugly. I really didn't have the space to remove the cap and do a better/cleaner repair. I'll try to get some photos.

Did you drill small holes at the ends of the cracks to stop further cracking?

 

[hilltool]

I did not. The cracks run up to the ends all ready and in the case of the front cracks -up under the window frame. The GEL FLEX is an epoxy which bonds to most anything but remains flexible, so my hope is it will hold things together and prevent further expansion of the crack. I mixed fine silicone in with it to achieve a thin putty like consistency and sort of gooped it on. I did have to drill a small hole and insert a screw in order to pull a piece of the cap out from the cracks on either side. However, it dries "yellow" so my next step is to find some type of paint to cover it with-----anybody have a good suggestion for the paint and color ( is that flat white???) I am all ears.

Rick

 

[hilltool]

crack photos

I told you it was ugly:

 

[Garry-HILO]

I did not. The cracks run up to the ends all ready and in the case of the front cracks -up under the window frame. The GEL FLEX is an epoxy which bonds to most anything but remains flexible, so my hope is it will hold things together and prevent further expansion of the crack. I mixed fine silicone in with it to achieve a thin putty like consistency and sort of gooped it on. I did have to drill a small hole and insert a screw in order to pull a piece of the cap out from the cracks on either side. However, it dries "yellow" so my next step is to find some type of paint to cover it with-----anybody have a good suggestion for the paint and color ( is that flat white???) I am all ears.

Rick

Rick, I doubt you will find an exact match for your repairs. I had some small cracks which I repaired and painted using a white satin "Painters Touch" by Rustoleum, which was not made for plastic and fiberglass, but it is holding up. They do make the same brand name for plastic, which I thin would work for fiberglass. If your trailer has "Yellowed" the paint job will be more noticeable. On my 2705T it is hard to detect. Painters Touch can be found at a big box store that does not have the initials HD. Good Luck with the painting.