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Old 01-27-2016, 11:07 PM   #1
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Belly Band Lifting

Hope I'm not too negative in asking if others are noticing the belly band lifting at the curved edges of the trailer. Ours is lifting on the bottom edge over 1/2" in the front and 1/4" at the rear.
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Old 01-27-2016, 11:08 PM   #2
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Wow, I've never heard about this one before. Do you have a picture to share?
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Old 01-28-2016, 12:39 AM   #3
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Oh, for crying out loud. First, I had to go out to look at the weights on my rims and now this. (Okay, just kidding here, so lighten up.) Yes, I do have about a 1/4" gap on the bottom edge of the belly band on the four corners. But I don't know if this is because of the design (the trailer curves inward that this point) and the belly band can't "bend" or if there is something going wrong. Just by looking at it, it appears to me that it is just the way it is, i.e., the belly band cannot "track" the narrower dimension of the lower part of the trailer at the corners due to the convex design of it. (Edited: The convex design of the trailer, that is.)

I'm sticking with that and not going to stew about this either. (Unless, of course, someone comes up with something different.)
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Old 01-28-2016, 12:41 AM   #4
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Wow, I've never heard about this one before. Do you have a picture to share?
Ditto. I'm having a hard time visualizing what the situation is.

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Old 01-28-2016, 12:50 AM   #5
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Okay, once more outside for pics...

Edited: Should have posted the last pic first--that is the view from above the belly band showing the tight fit.
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Belly Band-004.jpg   Belly Band-002.jpg  
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Old 01-28-2016, 01:08 AM   #6
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Okay, once more outside for pics...
Wow, what dedication, it's torrential rain here. I wouldn't even send my dog outside now.

I'll have to look at mine tomorrow. Don't think I've ever looked at the underside. I know the top edges are tight against the f.g.

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Old 01-28-2016, 01:12 AM   #7
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I suppose one could caulk the gap, but that might trap water and cause greater problems.
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Old 01-28-2016, 01:30 AM   #8
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I truly do not believe it's a problem as the top is tight. I'm betting that it's always been this way and has not lifted away. I'm still sticking with this.
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Old 01-28-2016, 01:49 AM   #9
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I suppose one could caulk the gap, but that might trap water and cause greater problems.
Great now tomorrow I will have to check . I haven't noticed anything before . What a day . Pat
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Old 01-28-2016, 02:09 AM   #10
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Great now tomorrow I will have to check . I haven't noticed anything before . What a day . Pat
Relax. I suspect it is as Karen suggested, the normal application of the belly band and is not an issue unless you lay on the ground, looking up.
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Old 01-28-2016, 03:11 AM   #11
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With the top and bottom sections of the trailer being fused together with fiberglass it should not be any concern with respect to water issues. My understanding is the band is cosmetic only and probably just hides the sealed seam. The small gap should not be an issue unless the thing starts to pull away completely from the trailer. IMHO. But good to monitor for signs that it may be coming off. I wonder what holds it on there?
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Old 01-28-2016, 06:42 AM   #12
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Mine does as well. It's a cosmetic thing since top and bottom are fiberglassed together.
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Old 01-28-2016, 06:55 AM   #13
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Both my Escapes had gaps, strictly cosmetic and the gap changes with the weather.
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Old 01-28-2016, 10:38 AM   #14
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Thanks all for the replies. I noticed it when waxing it yesterday and was going to post just how great the Maguiar's Marine Wax was- both in ease of applying and results. Instead I had to step into the OB stuff. Still trying to get that off This is the first time I've used the Marine Wax; previously had used the Marine Cleaner/Wax and it very different in terms of ease of application especially.

I did get somewhat concerned about the gap after the upper tailight lenses warping, which was probably the cause of some water intrusion. On that note wouldn't it be nice if ETI sent out service bulletins for things of that nature? And honestly, if I had to do that one over again I would have the lights the 19 do, which are mounted on a base like the amber oval running lights.
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Old 01-28-2016, 11:05 AM   #15
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Relax. I suspect it is as Karen suggested, the normal application of the belly band and is not an issue unless you lay on the ground, looking up.
Glen took a look and there is a little opening like Karen's at bottom probably for the bend there . The top is fine . I am not going to worry about it . Pat
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Old 01-28-2016, 11:07 AM   #16
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Had to go check my bellyband issues. No worries.
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Old 01-28-2016, 11:17 AM   #17
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After read this thread I just had to take a look, and sure enough had 1/8 inch gap on all four corners. Funny how can look and not see, till someone points it out.
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Old 01-28-2016, 12:06 PM   #18
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Ross,
I believe the 21 lights are mounted on some flat fiberglass molded into the exterior so it should be flat against flat.
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Old 01-28-2016, 12:06 PM   #19
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I'm assuming that this is more a cosmetic thing. Being that the Escapes are fiberglassed together from the inside, are there any concerns other than the look or does the band add strength at this point?
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Old 01-28-2016, 12:08 PM   #20
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strictly cosmetic....and has existed for years....
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