Front cap "cave ins"

ACZL wrote:
Just an observation, but have noticed that on several brands of TT's the front caps seem to collapse some or dent inwards while under tow. What causes it? Do they "bounce" back when not under tow?

What exactly you want know?

Most likely caused by lack of structure or support behind the cap. There is a frame on the "outside" edges of the cap, but maybe not enough (or any?) cross support going horizontal. Our last TT had an aluminum cap, really just a sheet of aluminium with the brand logo stickered on. Ours had a few support bars and did not collapse or push in while towing.

It would most likely be unusual to see huge concave areas on front caps while towing, but who knows.

Could be due to water damage, the plywood behind the Cap could be weak or rotted.

ACZL wrote:
Just an observation, but have noticed that on several brands of TT's the front caps seem to collapse some or dent inwards while under tow. What causes it? Do they "bounce" back when not under tow?

Interesting observation Mike,

Iv'e seen lots with giant bubbles on the roof, and lot's with major ripples from Delam ( I guess) on them.. I need to keep an eye out for that..

Alan ingram wrote:

ACZL wrote:
Just an observation, but have noticed that on several brands of TT's the front caps seem to collapse some or dent inwards while under tow. What causes it? Do they "bounce" back when not under tow?

What exactly you want know?

Just asking cuz it's not on all TT's. Just hope it's not causing overall damage to rig.

Alan ingram wrote:

ACZL wrote:
Just an observation, but have noticed that on several brands of TT's the front caps seem to collapse some or dent inwards while under tow. What causes it? Do they "bounce" back when not under tow?

What exactly you want know?

This looks like his question to me: "What causes it? Do they "bounce" back when not under tow?"

Never seen it but certainly possible. The faster you go down the road, the more wind pressure pushing it in. Think about this...if the average wind pressure on an 8ft wide by 8ft tall panel is 0.1psi, how much force is the wind exerting on the front end cap...works out to around 921lb of force...now it's actually more complicated as the pressure will vary over the surface but imaging 4 big guys pushing on the front end cap...it's likely going to flex.

The end caps aren't typically strong structures...most just there to keep water out. As long as the flex isn't excessive, it will likely pop back out with no harm...if it gets excessive, you can get into a fatigue damage situation where it's OK for a while but eventually you start to get stress cracks.