How do we repair this oops that hubby just made?

Spotting.

Always get out. Make sure he has the windows down so he can hear you.

Tell him the back-up camera can't show him where the wheels are, nor can it show overhanding branches which can damage the rig. I've seen an AC pulled off a 5er while backing with a backup camera.

One of my best, most experienced friends managed to catch the curbside rear slide cover awning unit on an overhanging limb and pull that off the motorhome - while going forward to get into position to backup a few months ago.

Everyone can use help in backing the rig into a spot.

How deep is the hole behind the puncture? If there is something not to deep, there is a 2 part epoxy putty, like clay bars. Knead the 2 parts together and stuff it in as best you can . This will cure like a brick and allow the base of the ladder to have something to screw into. Also need to drill small holes at the end of each crack to prevent the cracks from "running" any further than they already are. Could also cut a block of wood slightly larger than hole and work it in behind the hole and epoxy it in place. Either way there needs to be some backing for the ladder to be properly screwed back.

Yes, that was in the plan.
Probably some eternabond in there somewhere as well.

Make the diamond plate wide enough to go behind both legs.

About that spotter position....

I used to ask him every single time he backed up if he wanted me to jump out spot him and the answer was mostly no. He got a back up camera about 6 months ago, fell in love with it and obviously relied a bit too heavily on it!!! Since he got it, I was asking even more less. He was turning around in a driveway and neither of us saw the vine covered wall...too busy jawing. This was a very quiet road too...until we both heard the crunch....

Given that I never thought he would hit something, I am going to guess that his driving down unknown roads in search of boon docking spots is soon going to get him to back miles back out of some road. WE both know its coming...

I am going to disagree with most. You did say keeping for a long time and using lots? Once back from your trip I would be looking for a boat yard or some other shop that does fiberglass work and have them do the job properly. It's not a big deal..they will match colour and sand to blend and you will be much much happier.


and yes, I speak from experience. I didn't put the hole in the front cap but I wasn't going to tolerate the 'fix' either.

A further comment...every time someone see's that plate, they are going to say something. Maybe that's what you want. But..if not? Get it fixed right and only you two will look at the spot every time. No one else will know.


Gary Haupt

Who was the spotter while hubby was backing into the wall?

There is particle board or maybe plywood behind it.

We put eternabond on all the areas where ladder was
screwed to back of rv to ensure no leaks.

Hubby still wants use of ladder after he fixes it so he
is figuring how to make it more structurally sound...
looking for 1/4" diamond plate (beefy) thick.

For now the duct tape will work...rain is coming this
weekend...yeah should have been camo duct tape so
no one would see it.

Tiger4x4RV wrote:

Dannyabear1 wrote:
Duct tape, repair when you get back

X2. sort of. White Gorilla Tape. Stay off ladder for this trip. Repair when you return home.

No , no, use the camo & nobody will see it :B

If you want diy I'd go with a piece of smooth or diamond plate aluminum. Look at it and imagine it was designed to go there. I'd probably goop it and then drill and put the screws but in. Or get stainless screws. Just use the original screw pattern so the aluminum is clean without even more screws in it.

Now here is the important part...you both need to get your story straight so that when people say why is that plate there you tell them that it was that way when you bought it. Or tell them it was a special recall that you had done that reinforces that area. :)