When I brought Bertie Bea home in March 2023, I noticed the fascia covering the seam between her front cap and the rest of the coach was starting to come loose. Though it didn’t deter me from buying her, with 10,301 miles of cherished memories across the United States, I grew concerned as I noticed the separation worsening.

In December, I paid $1,100 to have Blue Compass RV in Montgomery, Alabama, repair it. Unfortunately, their fix felt more like a temporary solution. Despite their efforts, the separation persisted, worsening after a trip to Tucson for the FMCA Fiesta Del Sol International Convention.

Contacting Tiffin Service revealed it was a known issue. To tackle it, they advised removing the fascia and adding screws to secure the fiberglass front cap to the steel frame. Skeptical, I sought advice on the Tiffin Motorhomes Technical Forum on Facebook. Many owners had faced similar issues and recommended the same fix, with some even sharing a helpful YouTube tutorial.

You can see how badly separated the front fiberglass cap is separated from the frame.

Here’s how to go about it:

Tools and Parts Needed:

  • #6 x 1″ Stainless Steel Pan-Head Metal Screws
  • Loctite Permanent Thread Locker
  • 7/64″ Metal Drill Bit
  • Double-Sided Alien Tape or Double-Sided Butyl Tape for reattaching the fascia
  • Tube of Clear Silicone Caulk for post-repair sealing
  • Drill for making holes and attaching screws
  • Razor Knife for removing the fascia

Repair Steps:

  1. Remove the Fascia: Use a razor knife to gently strip the fascia from the seam. Examine the exposed area; you’ll likely notice wear and tear from being inadequately attached.
  2. Drill Pilot Holes: Drill pilot holes for the screws. Apply a small amount of Loctite to prevent them from loosening during travel.
  3. Cover Unused Holes: If you encounter holes that lead to nowhere, seal them with Alien Tape.
  4. Secure the Front Cap: Install the screws to firmly secure the front cap to the frame. Ensure the structure feels stable and the seam appears smooth.
  5. Reattach the Fascia: Use three well-spaced strips of Alien Tape to secure the fascia back onto the coach. In my video, I used a strip of Gorilla double-sided tape before a friend of mine brought me a roll of Alien Tape, which is much preferred for this type of application.
  6. Seal the Repair: Apply a bead of clear silicone caulk along both sides of the fascia to seal the repair completely.
Use a razor knife to break the seal of the fascia and remove it for reattachment post-repair
The screws have been added and the repair is ready to have the fascia reattached.
The fascia has been reattached and you can see that the gap that was there previously has been removed.

With these steps, your repair should endure the lifetime of the coach, ensuring Bertie Bea remains road-ready for many more adventures.