Autotrail cracked exterior side panel (1 Viewer)

[grumps]

We have an Autotrail Chieftain Dec 2008 model, and a crack of approx 10 inches long has appeared from the bottom corner of offside hab window downwards to a locker. See attached photo.
Has anyone else experienced anything similar?
At first glance we would guess that a whole new side panel for the van will be required but have yet to contact Autotrail. A job for first thing Monday morning!
Comments please.
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[pappajohn]

that looks like a major stress fracture and no matter how many times its repaired it will reappear..

i'd say you're right...a whole new side panel required.

 

[hilldweller]

Has anyone else experienced anything similar?

I have seen pics just like that, a while ago possibly on the dark side, so it would be worth doing some searches. Both here and the dark side are well indexed on google, try there.

In fact a google on "motorhome stress cracks" immediately brought up some good hits.

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[grumps]

Thanks Brian,
Have googled Motor Home Stress, not good reading! In our case, we had the off-side window replaced by Autotrail in a recall by them in around June '09 and are now wondering if their fitting has proved too tight and caused stress on the surrounding area?:Sad: