Pitting and Holes in Siding of Alaskan Camper

Bugle M In · Jun 22, 2017

Own a 2009 Alaskan since brand new.
Sadly, it has pitting and corrosion in the aluminum siding.
Much of it can be found along the lower panels below the large side windows, from front to
back.
Also on the top door and the back/rear panel itself
Some pitting go right thru the metal itself.
Had it in for repairs/replacement, and the folks down there were willing to help fix it etc.
But I fear this will be an ongoing problem
Possibilities may be that the windows are allowing water in behind the paneling?
Or poor quality of the aluminum paneling itself?
Although it does appear that water is a problem, getting in somehow.
I don't think the issue is just the windows causing this failure.
The back door was replaced, but upon removing the paneling on the old door, the wood inside
was completely rotten.
Never got to see just how bad the wood was behind the paneling on the sides of the camper however.
I fear that may also be the case?
And it appears my camper is not the only one having issues either!
There are several campers in there right now, with the exact same issues.....not pretty.
Owned an Alaskan new from 1976, purchased new, and never ever had any sort of issue like this with
the paneling.
Although the guys did try to replace the paneling, I no longer feel confident in advocating to anyone to buy a new camper.
Believe, there has always been tremendous interest in the camper over the years from fellow campers,
and have always given the camper "Excellent Reviews", and highly recommended them.
It does not appear to me that the proper steps have been taken to "Fully Correct" the problem,
and that by just "Reskinning" the camper, the issues is still present and will happen again.
This camper will not in anyway last 30+ years like the "Old One" did!
Just wanted to hear from others with similar issues, as it was obvious some out there are having the
same issues, I am fairly certain they must not be too happy either!
Not sure what is so different from the old version, in regards to the siding, and why the issues??
Yes, windows are different...so maybe...but the rear door should not have been affected!
Or, the material is of such poor quality now....???, but that would still not explain the water inside the
paneling!
Only other difference is that there is now 2 tone color strips installed along the length of the siding
for "appeal/styling" looks etc.....so maybe the water is getting in thru that while driving????
Honestly, since owning the camper, it sees no more than 21 days of use in a year...at most!
Otherwise it is stored inside a garage, which is apart of the house and fully enclosed etc.
Not exposed to the elements whatsoever when not in use, I assure you.
And it is cleaned very well before storage.
Sorry that this had to be my 1st post, but I fear this is not the last and only time this will be mentioned in
the future.
Anybody else with these issues...anyone with any found solutions, or at least knowing what is truly the
reason for these problems.
I know the guys at Alaskan aren't happy about the situation....but, I am not confident that a fix is on the
horizon (silicone here and there and everywhere is not a "long term" solution...IMO)
Nor is spending money on a camper, which aren't cheap, and knowing that it is going to be
"Worthless" in no time at all.
This camper is probably going to need some "heavy Gutting" to remove all the rot somewhere down the
road.
Which means, it will be up for sale real soon.....and I won't be getting another.
Not unless a solution can be found, and the camper brought back for a "Full and Proper Fix".
I am not holding my breath.
Just a heads up for potential future buyers to "be aware"....."buyer beware"!
And for owners with this issue to speak up and post.
Thank You BMI

Rusty · Jun 22, 2017

BMI....sorry for the nasty experience...I've often thought about the waterproofing success of vinyl window flashings. I've seen several water intrusion issues which could be attributed to those seals....did Brian make any indication of what his opinion was?

New materials don't always predict an adequate solution. That being said, some of the problems you are experiencing are common although a newer camper should not be affected as quickly.....it takes a bit of time for water intrusion to affect wood...indicating the intrusion may have been going on for some time. Did anyone take photos, do any sort of forensics to determine source so a correction could be applied? I'm surprised that a dry stored camper has suffered so badly.

I have three Alaskans right now, one is being salvaged..58', one is being used...70' and one is being remodeled/upgraded...73....all three have suffered from water intrusion of one sort or another....some very minor problems and some more substantial...but all repairable...after that long a period of use I would expect some "sealant failure". the 58 suffered from structural issues in the top...not repairable

The failure of the siding has got me more concerned than anything else...especially with all the re-skinning" going on. Maybe it's time to do some thickness testing and paint/coating testing. My 70' has some pitting on the lower parts of the upper section...I attribute it to the amount of time I spend beach camping and salt intrusion....my sister and grandparents also did a serious beach camping (it runs in the family)...all in the same camper. I haven't come up with a solution for the siding failures yet but on the horizon I see siding replacement for pieces.

Silicon here and there isn't an appropriate fix for anything.... it can be used successfully in particular applications but the appliers experience is often the determining factor in its success.

Hopefully some of the conversations here may assist you in determining repair solutions, it doesn't sound like you're entirely happy with the camper or it's repairs at this point...maybe expressing that to Brian will bring further satisfaction....

Stick around a while...I'm sure this conversation will get more interesting as time goes on....and while you're reading this.....

Welcome to the site.....and thank you for your candor

any pictures?...

Happyjax · Jun 22, 2017

Bugle,

Welcome to the group. I am interested in your plight as Alaskan is in the mix for my choice of camper.

I do not have any knowledge of the issues you are having but I believe Brian and the Alaskan team to be good people who care about their campers and their customers.

Pictures are always useful for diagnosing problems and the folks here are very knowlesgeable so I hope you can find help with resoving your problems and I am curious about what the causes could be.

Good luck

I expect you will have offers for help

PackRat · Jun 22, 2017

Hmmm....it would seem that from Day One that water intrusion below the windows was occurring. Enough to soak the wood to the point of failure. However, the pitting and holes in the siding should not occur unless the moisture was being held like a sponge in the insulation behind the siding. I assume this is happening on both sides? If it is just on the side the sink is on perhaps some leakage from the water supply is responsible for the moisture?

Alaskans are often viewed like old wooden boats are; the leak and require maintenance that if left alone will cause rot/failure and damage to the systems in them. However, like old wooden boats, they are beautiful if maintained properly. I mean, does anyone really think Formica and some kind of particle board or something has any esthetic charm to them? Fiberglass boats eliminated MUCH but not all the maintenance of wooden boats but you still need to be vigilant.

From 2009 to 2017 is eight years for moisture to rot out the wood....while keeping an AK garaged, it works two ways. On the one hand it stays dry, but on the other hand any moisture that has invaded the framing will be able to do damage unless the camper is in a heated garage or the interior has some method of being heated in the off season to kill/evaporate the moisture. It almost seems to me that if water has intruded out on a camping trip that leaving it out in the SUN to evaporate that moisture by rotating the camper would be advisable....still, that should not happen.

Another thing comes to mind here....the Pirelli seal....it is RIGHT below the place where you have moisture in the top section so if it was not sealing that could be a problem....another might have to do with driving where water would be thrown up from the wheels and sucked into that area as well. I know some guys drive with the front window just open a bit to allow the air pressure from forward movement to keep dust/dirt out of the insides and perhaps that would keep moisture thrown up from intruding into the siding.

The rear door design being two piece to allow up/down also allows air/moisture intrusion. Follow any camper/SUV coming down out of the mountains and see how much dirt and crud are on the REAR due to aerodynamics and you can see how moisture is delivered to the rear door if one drives in the rain or on really rainy/wet roads.

Lastly....there are many rotted out old '50s and '60s' AKs and many that are not....usually due to a combination of three things; maintenance, location, weather. Those seeking AKs that are not rotted look to the southwest primarily which tells me that the weather is the primary factor in allowing moisture to get in a rot the wood. Maintaining the Pirelli seals and the drip rails and such and weather stripping are also important. Location means not only if it was in a garage or tarped...but if it was in a place like Seattle where it rains so much and moisture is not likely to evaporate.

Finally, I can't comment on the "They don't make them like they used to!" theory....my only experience was with an 1960s AK and it wasn't in too bad a condition when I got it and when I sadly sold it and I live in Marin where is usually rains pretty good for about five months a year....and I was too stupid to tarp it in the "off season".

Most of all, your problem with pin-holes in the siding tells me that moisture has been hard at work all along as that I not a common problem voiced on the WTW as far as I know.

Maybe some others can chime in here and suggest why your 2009 has that much damage to it...with it being garaged and used very little.

Ripperj · Jun 22, 2017

Welcome, I would definitely like to see pictures. 2009 and stored indoors seems awful new to have that kind of issues. Mine was an '84 and the siding was fine apart from dents and faded paint. Mine was rotted from failed seals.

Beach · Jun 22, 2017

Is it possible that electrolysis is a contributing factor? Is the frame used as a neg. ground?

Rdy2Roam · Jun 22, 2017

Interested in finding out more about this problem as I too was leaning towards purchasing a new Alaskan. Lot of money to spend too have that kind of problem.

Willys Addict · Jun 22, 2017

PackRat I believe has nailed the issue, I live on the West Coast and its considered a Tempred Rain Forest every camper fifth wheel I have owned even with the best of care has had rot from "moisture" I say moisture because some have come from being sealed to well and moisture from temperature differences and condensation have contributed as well as a bad leak. I can show you my 95 9' Angler that is now being junked and stripped out because the water seeped past the clearance lights and pooled (I paid $200). One of the things I do is install vents in the camper outside tin, I take small stainless marine vents and install them facing backwards under the overhang this provides a way for the camper to breathe. The back side of the sheet material I see alot, when rebuilding wash with vinegar to remove all the oxidization and if you want to fill them use Marine Tex or Devcon, or just spray on a sealer like the rustolium spray. the pitting is a result of continuous contact with moisture. and unless the covered storage can dry out the camper the moisture in it will stay as there is no circulation or warmth to Dry it out, I would have sealed the camper and pressurized with air to check for leaks then check to make sure there is not an outside puncture unsealed light etc. and go from there, Alaskan makes many fine campers and I am sure their pride is hurt as well, just by volume and numbers this will happen as the odds catch up, what is important right now is the repair. Good luck I have been fixing rotten campers since the 80"s and you think I would have learned by now.

Rusty · Jun 23, 2017

All good points...Willys, I'd like to see one of those vent applications....

I've done a fair amount of construction defect management over the years and moisture intrusion is often the culprit....but water easily in doesn't evacuate so easily....those small vents placed properly could solve alot of problems. It seems as if there would have to be a tremendous number of them to get the job done....maybe a stainless strip vent like soffit overhangs in stucco applications...along the entire side of the camper venting every bay...but lapped into the siding material to shed water like roofing.....OR...strategically placed venting built into the siding material.......or aluminum framing

Location, location, location....salt on roads, salt in beach air, electrolysis, acid rain...even direction of the camper while in storage will add to the issues. I rotated storage of my 70'NCO this last year and ended up with a moisture problem I'd never had before...

fortunately for me...it's a 100 degrees plus right now and the fans are blowing inside the camper 24/7

Where are you located BMI?

Willys Addict · Jun 23, 2017

I will try and get a picture of the vents for the cab overs, doing one for a friend soon as I gave him the last set of vents I had, I put them 3/4 the way back under the overhang, vent opening facing back and in about 10" so road and wet weather do no not affect it, I should mention the reason my NCO has aluminum front is there was nothing left to save from the original skin as it was pitted and rotted so bad. I used marine aluminum had it cut and bent to fit and left a 1/4 inch air gap on the bottom lip for moisture before the wood started.

Bugle M In · Jun 24, 2017

Thanks for the replies everyone, and I will try to answer a few questions.
Firstly, the camper is stored in the same garage as the old one was. (nothing different).
The garage is open during the day quite often and closed at night, so it breaths well enough in there...IMO.
The old camper had dings, dents and scratches, and never had pitting....anywhere.
The old one had 2 leak issues over the years, one from the roof where it was seamed together, and the other area
that had rot was the 1st 16 inches on the floor of the front entry inside.
So, like I said, it was an old camper at the end, so to a have a rotten floor over that time is to be expected, and a
roof leak is also expected over that time...but that was it....oh, and the seal strips where in rough shape for years
before being replaced, yet camper/siding was A1.
Also, after each trip, camper is lifted up in driveway, to dry out and clean out....even the over-cab bed walls are
left open/down to allow air to dry out any moisture from the trip....every time.
Even when I pack up for the drive home, I take time to wipe down the inner walls with towels for any moisture
that may have accumulated from condensation etc....fan on when cooking....which ironically, is a much stronger
and effective fan then the old camper.
 
I do live in Vancouver BC, so yes, moisture, such as rain while out camping or the drive home is a common
occurrence...but again...nothing new, and the old Alaskan handled it just fine.
 
As for the pitting...yes, water is getting inside the sheet metal, or should I say into the walls.
And yes, probably right from  the get go, as the pitting started in the 1st few years already of ownership.
It actually started on the rear top door on the outside facing surface...BUT....it was from the inside out.
 
The other sections as I said where on the sides, generally at the bottom of the windows but all the way from
front to back of those side, but at the same height.
Also, at about the same height, on the rear of the camper on both sides.
 
I agree, water is getting in, behind the paneling siting in the wood and Styrofoam on the inside sheeting surface
and thus causing the corrosion from the inside out.
The pitting is not from starting from the outside in.
 
Now here is the interesting thing...
Brian feels that it is due to the side window company manufacturing windows with crappy center rubber strip
seals...the seal that run in the middle of these windows from top to bottom.
These strips appear to be tooo short. leaving space for water to get in and then follow gravity down.
Very plausible, and thus creating the corrosion from the inside to outer surface in time.
(the fix was to put some silicone into that gap of the window, which leaves me not too happy to be honest).
Yes, a short term solution if it is the problem, but it is not a proper long term fix, as the windows should be replaced ...IMO)
Also, the sheet metal is only painted/coated on the outside surface...not on the inside surface.
That is fine, as water should not be sitting inside the walls to begin with.
Had the panels been painted/coated on the inside surface, then pitting/corrosion may not occur.
Something they were considering.
BUT, if the inside surface is also protected, then all that happens is wood that stays wet, and rots, and you never
know there is an issue....unless there is a pool of water inside your camper...lol.
So all that does is hide a "bigger issue".
What has to be solved is "what is failing to keep water out"??!!
If the corrosion was on one side of camper or one area only, then it was just a "accidental failure".
This is not the case, and in fact is on both sides AND "multiple campers"!
There is an issue for sure....no doubt about it, and Rick, who doesn't say much (nice guy!), is concerned and
perplexed.
These newer camper have more silicone sealing then the old ones ever did.
 
I did suggest sending some of the metal siding to a metallurgist to see if the sheeting is not of good quality etc.
Maybe Boeing out there in Tacoma could have it tested/inspected??
Maybe it is cheap Chinese material like the old recycled metal Japanese cars from the early 70's!!!....
remember the way those Datsun's used to rust!! 
 
Now here is another "kicker" to the problem.
The rear door is not produced at the facility, but farmed out etc.
The rear door was the 1st area to show pitting, paint blistering etc.
Different window all together...not in anyway related to the side windows leaking etc.
They replace the door at least...BUT....if it is a window issue....they used the same window!!...reinstalled the old
window.
 
Now before I left, I wonder if there were metal staples or screws behind the sheet metal where the pitting was,
and that somehow it may have been causing issues.
Now, I was not around to see when the sheeting came off on the sides etc.....BUT...when picking up the camper,
I saw the "old door" sitting there...
I asked to have the aluminum rails removed all the way around and hinges etc, because I wanted to see what was in behind there as far as stapes and screws or whatever else....
So....no staples....no screws....just wood (2x2 or something like that...not plywood...and Styrofoam etc)
What did I see.....
Wood that was so wet and soft, that I poked right thru with my finger...not even a screwdriver.
And, when I pulled out a section of that wet wood....it didn't just crumble...it broke down into "beach sand like"
composition....meaning...completely gone.
And when I tried to pry away the sheet metal from the would frame, the sheet metal tore as if it was "wet paper",
meaning it was totally corroded through.
Did I mention the pitting was in  opposite areas of that window panel as well, not just one area.
The pitting was toward the bottom of the panels, but not right at the bottom, several inches up, but on the
right side and left side.
 
I don't have pictures...did not think of it at the time.
Honestly, I thought this was a case of "defective sheeting" from the supplier.
Afterwards, seeing other campers...all fairly new...with the same issues...same area...widespread...I then
wish I had.
What scares me more, now that I realize that it is water from the inside corroding the sheet metal.... 
Is, how soon until it fails again???
Worse..."how bad was the wood below the widows on each side of the camper".
Mold and structural integrity are now a "big concern" on me...and you go camping to get away from your
problems, not sit there and look at them.
 
Do Brian and Rick want to have this problem.....certainly not!
Do they have a serious problem at hand....absolutely!
Are they trying to get to the heart of the issue, and eradicate quickly....not sure..
I do see that they are "Perplexed"...for sure.
Am I confident about this camper now....no way!
The widows, if they are the issue, were not replaced with proper windows...just silicone.
The rear door....just replaced with the same window...so....now...what's going to happen??
As for the sheeting on the rear of the camper...just a "Patch" screwed on to cover up the "pitting in the area.
Meaning, that entire panel is as was, just covered up...something you might do if you were trying to
"Resale" to an unknowledgeable buyer....if your the type to do that?
 
the only other thing that was different, is that there are now "Black and Grey" panels on the sides of these campers, something that was not present on the old camper.
So, is water getting in there???...say while driving down the highway in the rain??
 
I agree, once water gets into/ behind the sheet metal skin....it is almost impossible to dry out!
More importantly...you have to stop the water from getting in in the 1st place....otherwise it never dries out.
 
Whatever the cause is, if it is figured out, the issue with mine and these other campers with this issue, is...
these campers should have been "fully fixed".....like a "Recall".
Right now....they are not sure what is going wrong...
By then, it only time will tell if more campers come in....mine and others like mine....will be a lost cause.
I am not into fixing a camper that should not need fixing, atleast not with the proper care that it has been given
while in my possession.
 
An odd issue...here and there.....for sure that is going to happen.....but not like this.
 
One last thing...repairs are just that...even though they tried to replace the sheet metal.....
The fit and Finish is not that great after the repair was done.....hey ...its a repair job.
I will not look like it should look now, regardless of the 7 or so years that have gone by.
It cost them money, and labor time to repair....something no company can afford to do for to long.
Even though they were obliging in replacing the sheet metal etc, I am not overly happy with the final results...
Certain edge strips aren't very tight any longer and silicone everywhere....
And what about the structure/wood inside??
And what is happening the next time it rains??
 
Don't get me wrong, the old Alaskan was fantastic, and if the only thing they had changed was the "larger sized
pistons", it would still be a fantastic product these days.
Yes, they have tried to make the product even better....lots of changes, even little ones, make a big difference
to the comparison form old to new.....but not if it leaks, corrodes, and then rots. 
 
Sorry if I do not reply often...I'm not a fast typer at all.
I know Alaskan is not trying to create a lousy product by cutting corners or costs etc....
But there is a big issue, and some of us owners have probably "thrown away" our money on a "faulty product"
right now.
One day they will figure it out, but for some of us with the faulty product, we will be stuck with junk in the end.
I am getting ready to go away camping, and I know people will be asking about the camper (as is always the
case when we are out there camping)....so..what do I tell them??
I tell the truth...and for years I would say "great"!
Now  will say......"Big Problems".
Sorry if I  come across as "disgruntled"....don't mean to be.....but I wanted to see who else out there has these
issues going on....I know some out there that are....it's just they may not be on this site....not yet....but maybe
over time a "google" search may bring them here with the same issues.
And, If someone figures out the rue underlying causes,  hope they can post it.
Thank You All....take care

Willys Addict · Jun 24, 2017

I have a glass shop I use and know they can get the different seals, I have had alot seals shrink over the years, the only seals for my 67 they did not have was for the big front window but had product for the corners that were shrunk when we redid all of them, for piece of mind why not take it down to one of the glass shops they can at least let you know if you will have further issues or are fine. you can seal up the seams with towels and rags pipe a shop vac or two (or shop air build a few pounds of pressure and take some warm soapy water and spray all your windows and seams looking for leaks, This may at least give you some piece of mind. Sorry to hear of your frustrations.

Rusty · Jun 24, 2017

In situations like this I try and follow the "Value Engineering" down the road until it comes to an end...there is usually a product or two which has failed and the company went out of business....but the insurance companies are still in business...maybe under another name but a bit of tracking usually exposes a coverage or two and a liability position...it takes some investigation. If there are a number of campers with the same issue.....can you say "class action" and not against Alaskan but the window company

These are cases where insurance companies, after some brow beating and holding them up against a hot wall....come through....they don't like it but the window company is the apparent culprit here and their product liability should step in....

This all takes thorough investigation, documentation and exposure... in this case....some "destructive testing"may be necessary... Brian could be of assistance when doing some of the repairs....and identification of the years where the windows were used.

Thanks for bringing this up BMI.....check your windows for manufacture names and dates...many windows have exposure stickers on them...I would expect to find them on the frame

Trying to make lemonade out of this may be difficult

In home building, Window frame shrinkage was a problem when vinyl windows first came out.....

Happyjax · Jun 24, 2017

So has Alaskan changed these windows? I am concerned as this was my first choice for my camper but I sure don't need this kind of issue down the road.....

Bugle M In · Jun 25, 2017

It is very possible it is the windows.
The side windows seem to be the culprit for the pitting/corrosion on the sides....OR......
It could be that water is getting in (maybe while driving) thru those colored back and grey panels????
Both are different then the old 70's version....
It would seem more likely it is the windows...but....that has not been proven yet.
As for the rear top door....??? hard to say....it was actually the 1st area to show problems.
There it may not be the window....could be the screws holding the hinges and the door opening lever/lock that are
allowing water in...or...it is the window....I suspect the 1st description.

I thought Brian said they were going to use different widows soon.
But, in that case, any being built right now, will have this lousy center strip seal....
So, I guess you will see that it has silicone where there are any gaps right now.
If I was Brian....I would be testing a bare ass camper, with no finishing to the inside, and start test for the "real issue".
If it is documented and recorded that it is the windows....then he can go after that window manufacturer I suppose.
(not a fun and quick situation...but necessary to "save face" and the Alaskan Camper reputation, and providing owners like me
a proper product in the end.....because this camper is probably a right off in the end??).

So until those "new windows go in"...there will be campers with "extra silicone". (if it is the windows)
And there will be quite a few campers out there like mine that have this potential failure...
(I suppose it depends where these owners live and how much rain is apart of their camping experience??).

I bring this whole topic up to also here from other owners that have the same issue as we may have to band together in the end??

Thank you all for sharing your input!!
Great bunch of people here.
Just wish my 1st post had been on a more "positive scale"
Take Care All

senor · Apr 5, 2018

I have the same issue in the same locations on my 2011. Then again I live 50 feet from the Lower Laguna Madre, a hypersaline bay (4 x saltier than the ocean), plastic rusts here. I am going to try some aluminum anodes that meet military spec standard: A-24779.

Oscarlucy886 · Sep 3, 2018

Hey Bugle M In,

Sorry to hear of all your headache w your Alaskan, It seems like problems that are not all that common w it their builds. Out of curiosity how has the problem been resolved and was the reason for the pitting ever pinpointed?

I was also curious if any other readers have experienced similar issues w an Alaskan, I always admired them from afar and thought that they were kind of bulletproof as long as they were sealed and chalked etc.

I hope it has all resolved itself and things have worked out for the best.

wagoneer · Sep 4, 2018

Welcome, wow quite the thread .Very sorry to hear what your going through. I have a 76 CO besides some dents stains and even small broken skin The last thing I was expecting to read was this thread, kind of disheartening . Last time I checked for leaks just the small amount of old water stains but it has not rained here for months . I should think this type of issue be very important for Brian to investigate. I would expect him to come on board and respond.

Bugle M In · Oct 17, 2018

So, I thought I would update.
Yes, they did replace some of the skin on the camper, but what concerned me, was seeing the other 3 or 4 campers already there, with the skin off, and seeing all that staining on the wood frame etc, and worse, the mold.
The top back door was replaced, but I can see issue happening already again.
The doors are "outsourced" (not made there) and I see that there is "no silicone" around the metal frame areas, and I doubt around where the "screws that hold the hinges are".

While I was there, I took apart the frame and skin from this this top door, right in front of them.
The metal was completely pitted thru, virtually softer then wet paper, and worse, the wood framing on the inside was "sawdust" from rot.
Meaning, even if I wanted to restore this camper down the road, I would have to basically build it from scratch, if the other wood that got wet is this rotten!

At the time, the lower door was starting to show signs of the same pitting, and I suspect is completely rotten on the inside as well.
The entire back panel of the camper (around the door, the back end of camper) showed signs of pitting, but they felt that was "too involved" to replace, so a patch was put on.
I seen this same patch work on a couple of the other campers there as well, who I suspect were there to have their campers fixed due to all this pitting.

Why is the pitting happening, well because water is getting in!
Definetly from the windows they used at the time, especially the 2 large sliding windows on each side of the camper.
And places like the doors and their hinges.
And who knows why the "back panel" got pitting??

In the end, they know there was issue (might still be happening), and yes, they sort of helped try to re,medy the situatuin, by replacing some paneling, but what about the wood underneath?
And the remedy for those windows was to "put in more silicone"!, not replacing the windows with the "new style" that are supposibly better.

In the end, it is possible that the manufacturer of the windows are the big issue to much of these pitting problems.
And also, the out sourced doors as well.
Both issue from probably different manufacturers.
But in the end, this was a "defective product" (sold by Alaskan), which had nothing to do with "owner use" but just the plain fact that if it rains, wagter was going to get in, and things were going to rot.

They should have gone after the manufactures, so as to give owners like my dad, a new camper.

The old camper from '76 was great with no such issues, nor did my dads us create any such problems then, nor did he now, and this camper sees much more limited use then back then, being that my dad is 79 now.

I will never buy another one again, even if the problems are fixed, as I feel that we were sold a "defective product", and my dad is just too old to deal with legal avenues.
And, even though they tried to replace some stuff, a comment was made that the camper was 10 year's old, and "they didn't really need to do anything".

What was failed to be recognized by them is:
the camper was not built right, and due to this, the camper is now severely compromised!
This was not a user issue!
This was a manufacturer issue.

And worse, they are a small company, and when I have people who do have an interest in the camper etc, I now tell them:
"Don't bother, nothing but problems"
Word of mouth can do wonders for a business, or it can be the beginning of the end.

Its a shame that they didn't step up to the plate "fully".
Yes, they were nice people, and did do something, but in my opinion, is just no where near enough.
They should have gone after the manufactures, or just "sucked it up", and replaced the folks who are having these issues with
new campers.

No longer An Alaskan supporter.
Aerostream only, if this is how issues are dealt with at Alaskan.
I jut feel really bad for my dad, and feels like he just got screwed again, and just taken advantage of.
Cant say I blame him for feeling that way.

S&J gypsies · Mar 26, 2021

Hello All. Wanted to let you know of yet another Alaskan with the problem of pitting and electrolysis. Camper is a 2010 and we took it back June 2013. Pitting in aluminum siding. Aluminum replaced after letting wood frame dry a few days. In Fall of 2019 worse pitting showing up. A call to Bryan gave no satisfaction. Was going to return to factory in Spring of 2020 but no go because of Covid. Did speak with Dorrie at factory the other day. Sent an email to Mr. MacPherson yesterday. Ten years with good maintenance. Interior in excellent shape. What to do? Cannot in good conscience sell as is. A shame to sell for salvage. Too much money for just ten years use!
Any comments?

Pitting and Holes in Siding of Alaskan Camper

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