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GATJcampers's avatar
GATJcampers
Explorer
Apr 11, 2015

Tree vs Toyhauler

I need some advice on a toyhauler roof repair. DW was backing me into our awesome beach site when bam a tree reached out an grabbed us. The tree is fine but the roof is not. I am going to repair it myself but not sure of the best method. Remove the entire bent piece or try to straighten it in place.? 2 screws were pulled out but by pulling them all out won't that cause more problems? The side of the roof was pulled out of the mount as well. the pictures are upside down and turned sideways but I don't know how to change that. Hopefully you guys can give some helpful advice as you always do. Thanks in advance
  • DennisVR's avatar
    DennisVR
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2015
    The aluminum trim usually doesn't like to go back to the original shape it was before it was bent, but it doesn't like to badly bent to me. I myself would bend it back and see if it would go back into place. If so I would clean the surface and seal it back up. If the trim didn't do as I wanted then I would remove it totally and replace the trim piece.
  • NinerBikes's avatar
    NinerBikes
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2015
    Take landscape photo's with your phone, not portrait pictures. Ie lay the camera portion of the cellphone sideways before taking the shot.
  • atreis's avatar
    atreis
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2015
    GATJcampers wrote:
    I guess my main question guys was take off the trim and start from scratch or try to fix in place? got a couple votes each way. advantages/disadvantages?


    Had something similar happen, and with a similar cause ...

    Advantages to re-attaching the current strip: Probably simpler and faster.
    Disadvantages: Potentially less effective - it's dirty (and could be difficult to clean), bent, and might not hold/seal all that well.

    Advantages to Eternabond replacement of that strip: Very likely to seal better and last longer.
    Disadvantages: Takes longer - you'll have to remove the existing strip and sealant, and clean it up, then apply the Eternabond.

    I'd go (and did go) the Eternabond route. The hardest part for me was getting the surfaces clean so that you get a good seal.
  • mgirardo's avatar
    mgirardo
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2015
    GATJcampers wrote:
    the pictures are upside down and turned sideways but I don't know how to change that.


    You can blame your smartphone for that :) Without Photo editing software, the best thing to do is not take portrait photos (taller than wider) with your smart phone. Samsung and Apple (and probably other manufacturers) still haven't fixed this issue.

    The photo's dimensions are stored incorrectly in the photo's meta data. With Photo editing software, you can remove that data. Better photo hosting web sites also strip that info out when photos are uploading.

    -Michael
  • GATJcampers's avatar
    GATJcampers
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2015
    I guess my main question guys was take off the trim and start from scratch or try to fix in place? got a couple votes each way. advantages/disadvantages?
  • 64thunderbolt's avatar
    64thunderbolt
    Explorer II
    Apr 12, 2015
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    RVcircus wrote:
    I'd remove the trim piece, straighten it out, lay down some butyl tape, screw it back on, I seal it good with Dicor lap sealant.

    Oh yeah, be sure to make sure the wife knows you're fixing her mistake;-)


    Sorta

    But instead of butyl tape I would use EternaBond RSW-4-50 White Roof Seal
    Then reinstall trim and use some Dicor along edge


    Bingo.............we have a winner. Eternabond
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Apr 11, 2015
    How does that song go...

    Fixing my rig in the HOT SUN

    I fought the tree and the Tree won
    I fought the tree and the . Tree won.

    I was backing up without a spotter
    and I needed one..

    I fought..

    My rig is broken and I feel so bad
    For sure there was damage done
    Cause it's the best rig I'v ever had.

    I fought..

    I suspect you can figure out the tune (I fought the law (And the law won).
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Apr 11, 2015
    RVcircus wrote:
    I'd remove the trim piece, straighten it out, lay down some butyl tape, screw it back on, I seal it good with Dicor lap sealant.

    Oh yeah, be sure to make sure the wife knows you're fixing her mistake;-)


    Sorta

    But instead of butyl tape I would use EternaBond RSW-4-50 White Roof Seal
    Then reinstall trim and use some Dicor along edge
  • RVcircus's avatar
    RVcircus
    Explorer II
    Apr 11, 2015
    I'd remove the trim piece, straighten it out, lay down some butyl tape, screw it back on, I seal it good with Dicor lap sealant.

    Oh yeah, be sure to make sure the wife knows you're fixing her mistake;-)
  • jfkmk's avatar
    jfkmk
    Explorer
    Apr 11, 2015
    I had something similar happen when my DW guided me into a fence on my blind side ( notice it's always the DW's fault?) ha ha. Anyway, I had it repaired at the rv dealer where I bought it. Those aluminum pieces are almost impossible for the average diy folks to repair properly. The dealer put an entire new piece on and sealed it much better than I ever could, and I'm pretty handy. If I remember right, it was under $500 to repair.

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