Roof damage from snow load..Help!

I had my 3023 open this last winter for some interior work and we got hit with the worst snow storm since the 50's. I did not see any damage until I went in it yesterday. The inner shell roof has bent down in the middle about four inches. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Bob

[mjlaupp]

Bob,
I hate to be the bearer of bad news. The damage you describe requires factory repair. The rear roof most probably needs to be replaced. The foam laminate construction can not be repaired by conventional means. What year is your 3023?
Mike

It's a '99. Maybe my homeowners insurance could help??!!

[mjlaupp]

The insurance might help but the cost of the repair will probably "total" the TM.

Originally Posted by rwdavis

It's a '99. Maybe my homeowners insurance could help??!!

I am an property insurance adjuster. There are many different policies with various coverages. Most, but not all homeowners policies are written on a form called the HO-3. Some omit the 3 and just call it a Homeowners Special Form.

If that is what you have, you should have a little coverage for the TM damage. It does vary from company to company but look in your policy under the section entiled "Special Limits of Liabilty" found under the Personal Property section of the policy. One of the special limits may read:

" $ 1,500 on trailers or semitrailers not used with watercraft of all types"

If so, that will give you some coverage. Be advised, that some other place in the policy, there may be a section that says if the item is separately insured under this policy or any other policy, there is no coverage on the above special limited item.

Take two asprins before attempting to read your policy. It gives coverage, it limits coverage, it takes away coverage after giving coverage.

[mcgyver210]

Good advice Mike I know our policy also has similar coverage but we are big on being covered so we actually have a replacement RV Policy for 500.00 a year small price to pay if we have a claim.

[mjlaupp]

This is just another thought out of the blue:
You may be able to build rafters out of plywood or board. Think exposed rafters in a home. The rafters would have to be cut to the correct curvature for the rear roof at each location needed. They would not be more than 1/2 inch in height at the walls if even that. Is there enough strength at this thickness? They could be attached to the walls with angle brackets. The other problem would be clearance when the top is down. Precise location may answer this issue.
Mike

How about a ceiling jack and push it back up?

Mike,
I assume that your comment about fixing the laminate construction applies to the side walls as well? Theres a 97 2416(?) for sale on craigslist with significant damage to the "front frame".

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/rvs/1223225303.html

Brian Conn

[mjlaupp]

Brian,

TrailManor uses the same foam core stress skin construction for all of the floor, roof and wall panels. Wood framing was used in the '97 model year.

The attempted repair of the 2614 using what looks like ridged foam insulation would have no strength. There is apparently wood frame damage as shown in one of the pictures. Also, there are no pictures showing possible damage to the front end and roof of the 2614.

There have been several TMs where the wood framing has been replaced when it rotted out. This was possible since there was no damage to the stress skin itself.

My '02 2720SL was wrecked on it's way back from the factory after front roof replacement. It was there because the stress skin aluminum in the front roof was delaminating from the foam core around the roof vent. The dealer tried several times to fix the problem, but every fix just made the problem worse. By the time it went back to TrailManor, I could flex the front roof 3 to 4 inches by pushing up on the inside. It would not have supported any additional weight on the roof.

FYI, TrailManor did the roof replacement under warranty. The most probable reason for this delamination was that the aluminum skin was not properly cleaned before application of the adhesive during assembly of the panel. As far as I know, this was the only TM that ever had this problem.

Mike