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Old 06-05-2023, 11:18 PM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 24F
State: Idaho
Posts: 16
THOR #18724
Thor Goodwill? Front cap screws...

Hello all - I have a 2020 Four Winds 24f. Been living in it for 3 years and 3 winters now. Holds up pretty well. I found an issue with the front cap seam on top. Found that the screws are coming out on each side, 3 on the drivers and 2 on the passenger's side.

I have heard about many front cap issues so I called Thor even though I am out of warranty and asked them to fix it. The CS agent was real nice, talking about Thor doing it for goodwill. Had me take pics and video, however sending it by email, I couldn't send a large enough file so did the best I could.

I have heard nothing back. Sent an email to her last week and called this morning, only able to leave a voicemail to call me back. No phone call. Been a couple weeks. I would hate to think Thor is so un-professional as to dodge my phone calls like some teenager.

Is there anyone that has had a similar experience? I need to get it fixed as I have had to re-plan or cancel the summer I planned all winter for! As I'm sure has happened to many of you.

Any advice as to how to fix it. I am handy. Any advice how to deal with Thor? 'Cause I'm not as handy doing that!

Thanks!!

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Old 06-06-2023, 12:12 AM   #2
It's 'towed', not toad.
 
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 24.1 AXISSIXxSIX
State: Arizona
Posts: 8,443
THOR #13932
If the trip is important, call any good handyman to fix it.
I'd be surprised if it was more 5 hours work for the right handyman.


I'm only fairly sure, not certainly sure that full time use will not be looked upon favorably by Thor.

If you wish to persue through Thor, find a way to follow through on what they asked for. The best you could do did not fulfil their request. No steps can be taken until they have what they asked for regardless of you contacting or not.
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Old 06-06-2023, 01:17 AM   #3
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 24F
State: Ohio
Posts: 5,035
THOR #16721
First, do you have a fiberglass or TPO roof? Second... the screws should be driven through a metal strip extending the width of the roof, connecting the roof membrane and front cap.

The screw heads SHOULD NOT be exposed, nor should ANY of the edges of that metal strip. If so, water intrusion will literally destroy the underlying wood structure in short order!

As Duck says... if you are not "handy", immediately get an RV tech to fix/reseal that area. I recently covered that area with Eternabond tape to permanently seal it from moisture. Maybe discuss that with the RV tech.

Alternatively, there are countless instructional YouTube videos showing how to make that type of roof repair.
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Old 06-06-2023, 06:37 PM   #4
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 24F
State: Idaho
Posts: 16
THOR #18724
Yeah, screwheads are not visible. Actually the liberal lap sealant they put on is still holding, but stretches up and down and will soon tear. I imagine I will need to strip off all the old lap sealant, replace screws with size larger, then reseal. However I will look up more on Youtube. Haven't had much luck yet.
Thank You!!
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Old 06-06-2023, 06:38 PM   #5
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 24F
State: Idaho
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THOR #18724
Oh and Chateau, I am your Four Winds brother in my 24F!
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Old 06-06-2023, 07:16 PM   #6
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 24F
State: Ohio
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THOR #16721
Is yours on the E-350 or E-450 chassis?

It's a small motorhome, but that's exactly what we wanted. We're gradually "making it ours" (as Duck would say) one bank withdrawal at a time! The only regret that we can't fix (within reason) is the GCWR of the E-350 chassis. Everything else can and will be tweaked. I'd estimate we're over halfway there!
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Old 06-06-2023, 07:28 PM   #7
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Model: 2013 31L
State: Florida
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THOR #908
which screws? along the top seam where the front panel meets the flat roof?
or on the corners where the front panel meets the side wall?

Regardless, most likely it's the same as mine. I got deep into mine back about Sept 2016. Pretty sure I posted here about it if you want to go searching.....
The screws are supposed to go through the trim, through the skin panel, and into a tubular metal frame

If it's just the screws backing out, it would be easy enough to remove them (if they aren't too rusty) and then replace with a slightly larger screw
but
if the screws are backing out you no doubt have a leak too

I just hope you don't find what I did... the front nose panel was cut short, and the aluminum corner trim was barely lapping over it...like maybe 1/16 inch or so...basically no sealing surface. (although my leak came from further up at the intersection of the flat roof to the nose cane where it also meets the wall

I didn't open the top flat seem, but the side I did
ended up resealing as best I could with eternabond double stick tape, and a good layer of eternabond webseal over the corner and under the aluminum insert trim..with larger screws to hold, then i had rvroof.com spray lapping over the corners to both seal and add structural bond.

I suggest downloading your structural drawings or asking thor for them, so you can better understand...maybe, the drawings aren't great

here's a couple photos of what I got into
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Old 06-06-2023, 09:32 PM   #8
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 24F
State: Idaho
Posts: 16
THOR #18724
E350 because I didn't want the extra 2K of weight and different rear gears. Seems to do just fine for me.
Screws in seam along the top. The factory put a lot of lap sealant up there so it is stretching where the screws are backed out, but hasn't torn yet. No leaks yet! But I dare not go anywhere until I get it fixed.
Replaced the passenger side vinyl trim, 2 screws missing near the top. Replaced one stripped screw with a larger one (one size) and made sure the others were tight.
I'm making a plan to repair but will need a couple days with no chance of rain.
Thank you for your info it is very much appreciated and it helps get a better idea of what I am dealing with
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Old 06-07-2023, 01:25 AM   #9
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 24F
State: Ohio
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THOR #16721
I replaced the vinyl inserts that slide into the track after only two seasons. It had pulled out of one side and was too short.

The Dicor comes up pretty easy with a heat gun on low using a plastic scraper... and patience.

I have a good supply of the "common Thor screws" (#2 square Robertson self tapping) after replacing two vent fans with MaxxAir fans. Cleaned them up with mineral spirits and put in plastic jar in storage bay. I'll bet those are the same length as the front and rear strip screws... which probably aren't long enough.
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Old 06-07-2023, 10:26 AM   #10
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Model: Fourwinds 24F
State: North Carolina
Posts: 775
THOR #9511
Thor Goodwill? Front cap screws...

Same set of problems on my 2017 FW24F. I ended up taking the corner trim off completely and starting from scratch. Water got behind the vinyl insert and rusted the screws so they weren’t holding the corner trim to the coach. Water was able to seep behind the corner trim and rot the bottom of both wing walls. Once the trim was back on I used Proflex on both sides of the corner trim along the complete length. The other big leaker was the cabover window…took that out and resealed it as well. I have a few posts on the forum about the water leaks.
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Old 06-07-2023, 01:16 PM   #11
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 24F
State: Idaho
Posts: 16
THOR #18724
Hoping I don't find a short cap like blw2 did, but prepared. Ducksface says a good handyman should be able to get this done in around 5 hours (don't know if that will count the several trips that will be made to the RV stores). Figure I should be good enough to get this done in a day or two, actually just taking off some sealant (with a heat gun), replacing those screws, making sure everything is tight, and reseal! Does anyone recommend extra screws? Like putting a couple, 3 extra screws across there?
I do not see any water damage yet. JimOIB got me thinking about the corner trim issue he found also...
Thank you all
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Old 06-07-2023, 02:17 PM   #12
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2013 31L
State: Florida
Posts: 2,263
THOR #908
If I understand correctly, it's in the flat/straight left to right seam that holds down the front edge of the roof membrane
and it's under intact caulk.

I recon that's a 20 minute repair... or less if you have all the supplies on hand. Don't even need a dry day. You just need about 4 dry hours for the new caulk to become rainproof

1) dig the caulk away around the offending screws....just need to expose the screws, no big deal....wouldn't even really need heat

2)try to redrive the screws to see if they will tighten
they probably won't so remove, probe to verify that they are actually going into structure
a) they could be just extra screws where the drunk guy in the factory missed structure and drove another just adjacent to catch structure.... in which case seal the hole and drive on
b) they might just not have a good bite on the structure...too short or too small. Find some appropriate larger or longer screws and replace.
3) clean the adjacent caulk area so new caulk will seal, squirt some dicor self leveling over the new screws.... and drive on.

optional, I'm a glutton for punishment & I'd probably dig away a bit more caulk to inspect the seam...and maybe even pull up the whole trim to see what's going on under it if I had time (being prepared to open a ginormous can of worms). I would not do this in your case since you are trying to qet on the road soon and have no other signs of leakage...but I might consider it as a future project after the trip. Sane and smart people would not choose either variation of this option.
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Old 06-07-2023, 03:13 PM   #13
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 24F
State: Idaho
Posts: 16
THOR #18724
Well thanks a bunch blw2 I see what you are saying. I've been debating myself whether or not to go whole hog this time. So I think I will do the screw thing as you proposed first. Monitor the situation as I go, keep the supplies handy, and go from there.

Or...go whole hog. Decisions!!

Thank You!
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Old 06-07-2023, 05:02 PM   #14
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 24F
State: Idaho
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THOR #18724
Of course...

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Hahahahahaha Imagine my surprise. HAhahaha First 5 screws on driver side. Rusted, broken off, and obviously not designed for the job they are doing. poop.

I am sure others have suffered through this too. I guess they all go as fast and cheap as they can...

Can you say...whole hog! Arghh

Umm, anyone have a tip on screws (or bolts n nuts)?!
Thanks all
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Old 06-07-2023, 09:43 PM   #15
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Brand: Still Looking
State: Massachusetts
Posts: 88
THOR #22385
Quote:
Originally Posted by jwad6900 View Post
Hello all - I have a 2020 Four Winds 24f. Been living in it for 3 years and 3 winters now. Holds up pretty well. I found an issue with the front cap seam on top. Found that the screws are coming out on each side, 3 on the drivers and 2 on the passenger's side.

I have heard about many front cap issues so I called Thor even though I am out of warranty and asked them to fix it. The CS agent was real nice, talking about Thor doing it for goodwill. Had me take pics and video, however sending it by email, I couldn't send a large enough file so did the best I could.

I have heard nothing back. Sent an email to her last week and called this morning, only able to leave a voicemail to call me back. No phone call. Been a couple weeks. I would hate to think Thor is so un-professional as to dodge my phone calls like some teenager.

Is there anyone that has had a similar experience? I need to get it fixed as I have had to re-plan or cancel the summer I planned all winter for! As I'm sure has happened to many of you.

Any advice as to how to fix it. I am handy. Any advice how to deal with Thor? 'Cause I'm not as handy doing that!

Thanks!!
I’ve been dealing with for a front cap issue in my 21 fourwinds 28z get the email address of the person you speak with so you have paper trail . Call first thing in the morning also and try to talk to the same person instead of repeating issues over and over. The person I have is helping me I’ve been dealing with it for almost a year . Dealer gave up I’m now going with an independent shop. And they’re reimbursing. Good luck please update!
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Old 06-07-2023, 09:46 PM   #16
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Brand: Still Looking
State: Massachusetts
Posts: 88
THOR #22385
Quote:
Originally Posted by blw2 View Post
which screws? along the top seam where the front panel meets the flat roof?
or on the corners where the front panel meets the side wall?

Regardless, most likely it's the same as mine. I got deep into mine back about Sept 2016. Pretty sure I posted here about it if you want to go searching.....
The screws are supposed to go through the trim, through the skin panel, and into a tubular metal frame

If it's just the screws backing out, it would be easy enough to remove them (if they aren't too rusty) and then replace with a slightly larger screw
but
if the screws are backing out you no doubt have a leak too

I just hope you don't find what I did... the front nose panel was cut short, and the aluminum corner trim was barely lapping over it...like maybe 1/16 inch or so...basically no sealing surface. (although my leak came from further up at the intersection of the flat roof to the nose cane where it also meets the wall

I didn't open the top flat seem, but the side I did
ended up resealing as best I could with eternabond double stick tape, and a good layer of eternabond webseal over the corner and under the aluminum insert trim..with larger screws to hold, then i had rvroof.com spray lapping over the corners to both seal and add structural bond.

I suggest downloading your structural drawings or asking thor for them, so you can better understand...maybe, the drawings aren't great

here's a couple photos of what I got into
What was the fix for that ?
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Old 06-08-2023, 01:28 AM   #17
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2013 31L
State: Florida
Posts: 2,263
THOR #908
Quote:
Originally Posted by jwad6900 View Post
Attachment 42253

Attachment 42254

Attachment 42255

Attachment 42256

Hahahahahaha Imagine my surprise. HAhahaha First 5 screws on driver side. Rusted, broken off, and obviously not designed for the job they are doing. poop.

I am sure others have suffered through this too. I guess they all go as fast and cheap as they can...

Can you say...whole hog! Arghh

Umm, anyone have a tip on screws (or bolts n nuts)?!
Thanks all
I just bought a box of screws a size or so larger diameter in stainless steel. Square drive I believe...I really don't like phillips.

broken off makes it more interesting though. Keeping in mind though that the screws are just holding down the trim strip, which is there to just clamp down teh membrane, I think it would work well to just place screws adjacent to where the old ones broke off. Seal the old holes, seal the new screws, and should be good to go I recon
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Old 06-08-2023, 01:12 PM   #18
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 24F
State: Idaho
Posts: 16
THOR #18724
So I heard from Thor this morning! An email letting me know I can get a review done at Camping World and send it in. Luckily I am already in contact with the service manager there about this whole thing. Despite being expensive I have had good luck with Camping World. To get good service I work to be a good customer but not a pushover. A dance for sure but one worth doing. So I have established good relationships with service managers in other locations too, just in case. And not just CW! All of them! But CW is my go-to when I need a tech.
I am going to have the whole front end reviewed, under the vinyl trim, plus a couple other places on the roof and then my doors to the coach! Do your doors not want to close despite all the lube you spray on the mechanism? Arghh, I just want the screen and main door to close tight!
Anyway will keep this up to date with what happens.
Thank you all so much because it helps to see the bigger picture of what may be going on.
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Old 07-04-2023, 01:29 PM   #19
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Brand: Still Looking
State: Massachusetts
Posts: 88
THOR #22385
Heading in 07/8 for front cap trim removal and reseal

I’m requesting pictures from them to see what it looks like underneath trim and also if dealer removed and resealed instead of just replacing screws. On original repair. Will post pics when received.
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