2017 Dynamic Line Bonnet Issue

[Stewart J]

Waxing the bonnet yesterday found a raised area on U.K. offside corresponding in size shape and position of the hinge mounting on underside. Tapping it with a fingernail it’s sounds shallow and hollowish I suspect it’s a delamination issue, the other side is unaffected and perfectly smooth. Other owners may want to inspect theirs, naturally my warranty ran out in January so it will be interesting to see if Hymer will honour a repair or replacement. So much for their claim that they produce prestige vans, I changed from an Autotrail after lots of issues but this van has been plagued with them from day one.
And to cap it all the dreaded so called “worm-holing” is appearing on my alloys.

 

[Pausim]

May be worth pursuing the worm-holing, I think Hymer are blaming their supplier so they might be less strict on the 2 years.

 

[funflair]

Its not uncommon for this to happen of fibreglass mouldings when you mount something on the back, usually its down to differential shrinkage but if they have left a sealed void when they mounted the hinge it could be caused by heat blowing it, doesn't look good though.

Give it a go is my advice.

Martin

 

[Stewart J]

Martin interestingly this morning the air temperature is cooler and the issue is a lot less noticeable.

 

[funflair]

Martin interestingly this morning the air temperature is cooler and the issue is a lot less noticeable.

Can you get a photo of the back?

Martin

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[Stewart J]

Here’s a photo of the hinge mounting Martin which does not sound hollow.

 

[Lenny HB]

Waxed mine a couple of days ago & justed double checked, all fine.
If you don't have any luck with Hymer a good boat GRP man will be able to sort it.

I think the bonnet construction is similar on all the B Class's since 2007, if it was a common problem I think we would have heard about it.

 

[Stewart J]

It was a cool night here down to single figures and only 16 when I took this photo as you can see bulge is hardly noticeable. My engineering head is convinced it’s delamination the thinner area would absorb heat more quickly and expand more not constrained by its bonding to the thicker section. This probably explains why I haven’t noticed it before now, yesterday was a warm sunny day.

 

[CazPaul]

Poor quality material used, bought in the tens of thousands for a good price from another country.
If I was buying a Hymer let me tell you the registration wouldn't be after 2006 that's for sure and most probably would be before 2000.

 

[Lenny HB]

Not sure but I think Hymer's GRP panels are made in Turkey now.

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[CazPaul]

Not sure but I think Hymer's GRP panels are made in Turkey now.

And so are a lot of others, when we did the Niesmann Polch factory tour in 2011 the head guy Jurgen said that they have been getting them from Turkey for 10 years, at first the quality was so crap that they were rejecting about 6-8 out of every 10. But even with doing this it was still cheaper than buying German ones.
He also said Concorde and Carthago were also getting them from Turkey but didn't know how long they had been doing it.

Concorde changed from Ally to GRP for the rear panel and in about 2011 had a real bad batch which resulted in cracking, luckily our Concorde 2005 model rear panel is ally.

 

[funflair]

Here’s a photo of the hinge mounting Martin which does not sound hollow.View attachment 312464

So what you have there is two separate mouldings bonded together to create the mount for the hinge, there will be a void created and if this is completely sealed it could be blowing with the air warming up, if it was mine I would be tempted to drill a small hole in the moulding inside, I don't think it will be delaminating.

Years ago we made a wing for a race car and being carbon it was black and got very very hot sat at Goodwood festival, it blew up like a balloon as it had no holes in it, only did that once

Martin

 

[funflair]

Not sure but I think Hymer's GRP panels are made in Turkey now.

And Morelo certainly were if not still.

Martin

 

[CazPaul]

And Morelo certainly were if not still.

Martin

Another one, wow, it looks like its a Vario for me and thee then.

 

[funflair]

Another one, wow, it looks like its a Vario for me and thee then.

And what Vario do is burst all the bubbles in the laminate and then fill and paint, much like TVR used to do.

Martin

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[CazPaul]

And what Vario do is burst all the bubbles in the laminate and then fill and paint, much like TVR used to do.

Martin

Yes but the finish looks nice.

 

[Stewart J]

Had word from my dealer Hymer are sending a new bonnet as a gesture of goodwill my warranty having expired in January. Result.

 

[Stewart J]

Speaking to dealer today Hymer are supplying the new bonnet as a gesture of goodwill but will not pay labour charges for fitting, thankfully it’s no major deal as I am a retired engineer so will be fitting it myself.