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Topic: Replacing the end caps (Read 176 times) previous topic - next topic
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Replacing the end caps
Anyone have an idea what they charge for this at the Mothership?

2021 Mid Bath
Re: Replacing the end caps
Reply #1 –
Quote from: tedeboy  - 
Anyone have an idea what they charge for this at the Mothership?

Big bucks.
Often the end caps do not come off cleanly and need replacement, along with repainting.
Big bucks.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Replacing the end caps
Reply #2 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
Big bucks.
Often the end caps do not come off cleanly and need replacement, along with repainting.
Big bucks.

Larry

Yikes.
I didn't attempt to remove mine knowing they'd most likely break (1995).
I have stayed on top of sealing the seams but one side pulled away too much on one side.
I opted for 3M 5200. Not the prettiest look but a very solid bond. I added some screws.
I ask about replacement costs because  I'm getting it ready to sell and would like to give the new buyer a heads up.


2021 Mid Bath
 
Re: Replacing the end caps
Reply #3 –
Quote from: tedeboy  - 
Yikes.
I didn't attempt to remove mine knowing they'd most likely break (1995).
I have stayed on top of sealing the seams but one side pulled away too much on one side.
I opted for 3M 5200. Not the prettiest look but a very solid bond. I added some screws.
I ask about replacement costs because  I'm getting it ready to sell and would like to give the new buyer a heads up.

If the caps are intact and well sealed, what's to tell. You have done the needed maintenance and maintained it.
All LDs will eventually have end cap issues and will need resealing, it's the nature of the beast.
If you have any touch-up paint, paint the poly where it covers the colored stripes for a better look.
It's not a crime to make a rig look better before selling and you are not hiding anything.
 
Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Replacing the end caps
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
If the caps are intact and well sealed, what's to tell. You have done the needed maintenance and maintained it.
All LDs will eventually have end cap issues and will need resealing, it's the nature of the beast.
If you have any touch-up paint, paint the poly where it covers the colored stripes for a better look.
It's not a crime to make a rig look better before selling and you are not hiding anything.
 
Larry

Good points Larry.
I don't know where to get touch up paint.
And I'm brutally honest when I sell things. Almost to a fault. I put myself in the buyers shoes.
2021 Mid Bath
Re: Replacing the end caps
Reply #5 –
We had this done at the factory in December 2019, along with replacement of three window shades in our living area. Our receipt does not break down the cost between the two jobs. Total labor was 11 hours and $1100. I'm going to guess about two hours for the shades, so labor cost for the caps about $900. There was also about $250 in parts and supplies (mostly the adhesive) for the caps, so I think a good estimate for the end caps would be $1200, maybe a bit more. The final cost will depend on how much trouble your caps present. Ours were pretty straight forward.

This was for all four end caps on our 2003 26.5'RB. They did a good job. No broken caps, touch up paint to hide the adhesive and damage along the edge of the caps. I'd say it's a five foot job. From that far away you can't distinguish it from the way it looked before or a new coach, though it could use a bit more touch up paint on the upper third of the caps, something I may request on a future visit to the factory.

So, is that a lot of money? Yes and no. It's equivalent to a good set of tires. Or about 3500 miles worth of gasoline. We're not going to buy another coach so must take care of this one, I don't like this sort of work and I'd prefer that it be done by someone who's done it before. I believe what we ended up with is equivalent to what they do on new coaches. So I'm happy, with one less thing to worry about.

A word of caution. The caps are resealed to the coach with epoxy or very strong adhesive. They're not going to come loose of their own accord, which was the whole point of this exercise, but that could present a problem in the event of collision damage to a rear corner of the coach. Removing the caps as part of such a repair will be more difficult than it would have been before. I'm OK with that risk.
Terry
2003 26.5'RB
Gardnerville, NV