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How Many Saggy Panels Out There?

What is the status of your bed panel sag?

  • Panels are perfect.

    Votes: 99 68.3%

  • Panels are sagging, not gonna complain to dealer.

    Votes: 17 11.7%

  • Panels are very saggy, complaining to dealer.

    Votes: 15 10.3%

  • Had saggy panels and dealer replaced them.

    Votes: 8 5.5%

  • Have saggy panels, dealer refusing to fix.

    Votes: 6 4.1%
  • Total voters
    145
XRover

XRover

Charter Member
SM 2003
Full Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2002
Messages
1,610
Location
Los Angeles, California
Any one else notice this ?

After taking delivery of my Av in November, I noticed that the rear most Cargo Bed Panel was sagging in the middle portion at the tailgate. I also noticed that the center panel had stress discoloration on one of the corners. I took it in to the dealer and they got me 2 panels.

2 months later and now both the center and rear panels are showing stress discoloration on all rear corners and the rear panel corner is starting to crack.

Additionally i noticed that the 2 new panels look to be about 1/4" wider then the forward panel and do not line up evenly.

I took it back to the dealer today and they are going to have a GM rep look at it hopefully next week.

My opinion of the materials and design of the panels is changing faster then a change for a buck switch..

How are all your panels holding up ?

Take a close look at them before you answer....

Thanks
Lenny
 
I have not noticed any problems with the panels.I am going to take a close look later today. I'll let you know what I find.
 
It's a good thing you brought that up....I put some nice size dings and scratches in my panels last weekend....maybe if they are deffective I can grab me a new set of 3. :D
 
I don't have any in mine but when I was first looking at them. One of the dealers was actually jumping up and down on them to show me their strength. I do think that would surely put a dent in them. Although they are very strong. I still think you have to be careful what you put on them. They still can get scratched. I'm careful with mine. Sounds like you need to take yours to the dealer and get the messed up panels replaced. ???
 
shafman1 said:
One of the dealers was actually jumping up and down on them to show me their strength. ?Sounds like you need to take yours to the dealer and get the messed up panels replaced. ????
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Possibly XRover's vehicle was the one the dealer was jumping up and down on... ;)
 
:eek:And I thought I was seing things. You are right, my third panel IS sagging in the middle. I will watch for what you have to say about the GM reps position.
 
The owner's manual says that the panels will support 250 lbs,but that would be static weight.
I don't think I would jump up and down on 'em.OTOH,it sounds like one could probably sit on them or walk or crawl around if he(she) wasn't too "large".
I am about 190 and they held me fine with no sagging. :) :)
 
Hey Xrover,
Do you park your Av outside most of the time? I do, and I wonder if the temperature changes have anything to do with it.
 
I noticed my third panel has a sag too, it's about 3/8"-1/2" inch low in the middle and holds water on the seal by the tail gate all the time. I felt like a "complainer" and didn't say anything to the dealer until I heard others had the same thing. I'm gonna have the dealer order a new one now.
 
Mine sags a bit but like 1/16" n ot very much and you have to look hard for it. My guess is there is no support in the center. The other 2 panels hook into the each other and well get added support. The rear one has nothing to help hold it up.

Take it ouot and lay it in the sun upside down. This should help even it out.

The side edges of mine all line up very nice.
 
My third panel sags just a bit in the center, and there is a slight difference in height at the two sides relative to the cladding at the top edge of the tailgate. Probably not enough to whine about, but I'll certainly keep an eye on it.

I first observed this a while back I took to observing the panels / tailgate in the rearview mirror after my tailgate fell open a couple of times. But thanks to this forum, now know the ropes on that one - a good slam and a tug to be sure that both sides are latched.
 
Hello All,
I have noticed that my rear panel has sagged in the center about 0.25 - 0.375". Can't wait to see what the warm summer weather will do to aggravate the sag.

Cheers,
mal
 
Thanks for all the response. I know that nobody has jumped on my panels after the rear 2 had been replaced the first time. My main concern is why the corners of the panels are showing signs of stress/fatigue. They are turning white. Just like a piece of plastic would do if you bent it.

Ahnuld, I do keep it parked outside but I am not sure that temperature changes would cause the corners to discolor.

Hopefully I will hear from my dealer next week.
 
I've had my AV since the beginning of August. My third panel sags slightly in the middle at the tailgate end also. Probably about 1/4". As others have said I'm sure that is because there is no support there unlike the other panels which interlock. The corners align nice and all look fine with no stress cracks or deformations.
 
I did see some wear and tear on the corners of each panel, but it's still holding up o.k. I keep it in doors at night.
 
I have also noticed a slight sag in the last cover on my AV. No leaks yet!!

I weigh 255lbs and the covers hold hold me O.K., but I never step in the center of the rear cover.

I would perform the jump test, but I can't until I lose 5lbs ;)

I would also just like to add that I am a new member and that this site is AWESOME!
 
Oops, I forgot to mention that I am having problems with the covers as follows

The rubber gaskets that seal the panels to each other are glued on and occasionally become loose. It looks like they are stuck on with some type of glue that has not cured, almost looks like gum. ???
 
I walked on the panels last weekend and felt very little deflection from my 200 pounds. But I wouldn't jump up and down on them just to be safe. I haven't noticed any sags yet, but I'll check closer now.

The gasket glue was a common problem with the first Avs to be built and was something I checked before I bought my specific vehicle. I checked several at other dealers and noticed many had the same separated glue problem. I've heard from some owners who have taken their Av back to the dealer to have this fixed.

I've seen several reviews of the Av which state that the 3-section hard cover is difficult and time consuming to remove or install. Did they actually try to do this? It takes me all of less than a minute. I don't get it.
 
Thanks for the input Midlife :)

I will be talking to the dealer about the Gummy Glue.
 
midlifecrisis said:
I've seen several reviews of the Av which state that the 3-section hard cover is difficult and time consuming to remove or install. ?Did they actually try to do this? ?It takes me all of less than a minute. ?I don't get it.
Click to expand...
I know! What the hell are they talking about? Removal and installation is easy peasy lemon squeezy (geez, can you tell I have kids?).

In regard to the third panel sag, I have it too and was thinking of cutting a 2x4 to wedge under there when I want to convert to "Porch Mode" at the track or ball games.
 
With regards to the panels being hard to remove,

I am here to say that my WIFE has recently told me that she had to remove the panels and was suprised as to how EASY it was.

She is only 5'4" and had no problems.
 
Timcosco - I just had to comment on how sweet your Av photo is. It shows that the Av is a real SUV/truck and not some pansy foreign 4WD vehicle that you don't dare take off-road. Thanks for sharing the photo!
 
The third panel does not sag. I thought it looked like it did but it does not. take a level and put it on the panel you will see that it is as straight as an arrow. What has a bit of an arc to it is the plastic covering of the tailgate. Take a look you will see that i am right. I was getting nervous about the dip in the third panel. I was even going to take it back to the dealer. It wasn't until I used a level that I noticed I really had nothing to worry about
 
The third panel does not sag. I thought it looked like it did but it does not. take a level and put it on the panel you will see that it is as straight as an arrow. What has a bit of an arc to it is the plastic covering of the tailgate. Take a look you will see that i am right. I was getting nervous about the dip in the third panel. I was even going to take it back to the dealer. It wasn't until I used a level that I noticed I really had nothing to worry about
 
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