Repairing my motorhome

Worktruck · April 8, 2004

I will be attempting to repair the roof and ceiling of my motorhome in the next couple of weeks. A tree fell on it in a wind storm last fall. Anyone ever done something like this? Maybe give me some pointers? I mean other than "Take it to a professional!".

apache sierra · April 9, 2004

I will be attempting to repair the roof and ceiling of my motorhome in the next couple of weeks. A tree fell on it in a wind storm last fall. Anyone ever done something like this? Maybe give me some pointers? I mean other than "Take it to a professional!".

Good luck!! Sometimes roof and side repairs can go good and othertimes you can open a real can of worms. You can usually save the skin if it isn't ripped or cut but depending on what style of rig you have the roof trusses can be kinked and not easily straightened. You might call a dealer to see where in your area you might be able to locate a shop that repairs motorhomes they may have rigs that are damaged but have good trusses and box rails. Also if your unit isn't real old check with the manufacturer about warranty skins and rails etc. They sometimes have a stock that were pulled out of a unit for one reason or another. Just take your time and check all of the damaged area real well and you shouldn't have much problem. The hardest part is to reseal everything so it doesn't leak. So often there is hidden damage in the roof areas so pay special attention to that

Worktruck · April 9, 2004

Thanks apache for the input. The only roof or side rail that is bent is at the rear right corner where the roof and side meet. The corner at the top of the side wall. It is bent down a couple of inches. I will try to straighten it and if I cant I'll cut it out and weld in a new piece. The ceiling panels are problably going to be the hard part. The factory roof was applied to the roof rails before it was attached to the walls, so the panels are sandwiched between the roof and top wall rails. I guess I'll have to apply the new ceiling over the old.

apache sierra · April 10, 2004

On some units you can pull the batten strips that hold the ceiling panels in place and pull the panels loose. Depending on how long they have been there, sometimes they come out with a little tug. Other times you have to cut along the wall tops and replace the ceiling panels then install corner stripping to hold the panels in place and cover the cut. About the only alternative is to strip the wall area around the damage but that gets labor intensive and frustrating.

Worktruck · April 10, 2004

Great input apache. The wall panels are glued to the styrofoam in the wall cavity so I don't think I can remove the panels without damaging the insulation. I guess I'll have to cut the ceiling panels at the top of the wall and remove. I've been to Home Cheapo to look at the available FRP panels and trim, just cant find a trim to finish the wall/ceiling joint the way I want. Also I'd like to remove the bathroom partition so I don't have a joint in the ceiling there but cant figure out how the partition is secured. Bet it's bolted thru the roof frame huh? Thanks again for the input.

apache sierra · April 10, 2004

On a lot of units like you said the panels are made as a sub assembly then installed so taking them apart involves reverse removal which is time consuming and difficult Thats why its so expensive to have it done professionally. So the ceiling is probably bolted together through the roof. Trying to work on motorhomes taxes your patience cause its not like anything else that you usually do. The parts are different and are one of a kind so you have to improvise. But just take your time and good luck.