Forum Discussion

JRRNeiklot's avatar
JRRNeiklot
Explorer
Jan 20, 2015

Huge dents, bucked up places in roof

Hi,

I just bought a used 1995 Gulfstream Conquest 16 foot travel trailer. It seemed to be in great shape for its age, inside is in virtually mint condition. After I bought it and got it home, I noticed huge dents in the roof, maybe from snow loads? I've attached pics below. Is there any way to fix this without redoing the entire roof? It doesn't appear to leak, just has the huge dents.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.



http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah218/John_Tolkien/100_0717_zpsa24f5690.jpg


http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/John_Tolkien/media/100_0719_zps9d51491a.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/John_Tolkien/media/100_0716_zpsca6cd283.jpg.html?sort=3&o=3

http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/John_Tolkien/media/100_0717_zpsa24f5690.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2
  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Apr 24, 2015
    As suggested you may want to check or perhaps strengthen any potential edge leaks. But if it does not leak and just looks funny does it really make any difference?
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2015
    I'd suggest to redo the roof edge seams and around any vents and pipes with Eternabond tape and call it a day. Unless the roof has pitted from corrosion, a seamless aluminum roof will not leak except on the edges and vents, etc. I have an old aluminum roof and although it isn't dented and buckled like yours, it sheds all the water and snow very well.
  • JRRNeiklot's avatar
    JRRNeiklot
    Explorer
    Apr 24, 2015
    fla-gypsy wrote:
    I have had aluminum roof TT's in the past and while they didn't look that bad they exhibited that type of lows and highs. It has no deck underneath most likely resulting in the appearance. If it doesn't leak I would leave it alone.


    Sorry for the belated reply, but I've been too busy to mess with the trailer much. I pulled one of the speakers out of the roof, and there's nothing but insulation and aluminum for a roof. I assume there;s a skeletal wooden frame of some sort, but no solid material. I'm going to leave it alone for now, since there's no sign of a leak, but that roof worries me.
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Jan 21, 2015
    I have had aluminum roof TT's in the past and while they didn't look that bad they exhibited that type of lows and highs. It has no deck underneath most likely resulting in the appearance. If it doesn't leak I would leave it alone.
  • ksg5000's avatar
    ksg5000
    Explorer
    Jan 20, 2015
    Wow - that's going to make it tough to re-sell. If you know anybody who owns an RV ask them to come over and take a look -- if your lucky it's just membrane not glued down right - otherwise your probably looking at major repair. Water leaks and roof issues are big deal in used RV's - live and learn.
  • the_bear_II's avatar
    the_bear_II
    Explorer
    Jan 20, 2015
    It looks like to me someone has laid a new membrane over the roof and coated it with a sealant like Dicor. I'm guessing they may have removed the air conditioner but just cut holes in the membrane to fit over the vents and antennas. Notice the large round globs of sealant around the radio antenna and vents plus the 4 to 5 inch wide strip of sealant along each roof edge.

    The membrane has buckled up in spots which can cause weak spots and water pooling.

    For a quick fix, I would cut the raised areas and glue them down as best as possible and then use a two stage sealant to coat the entire roof.

    Best fix would be to strip the roof and replace the aluminum or rubber membrane.
  • JRRNeiklot's avatar
    JRRNeiklot
    Explorer
    Jan 20, 2015
    Thanks for fixing my links.

    The metal is pretty soft, there's no way you can walk on it, but the roof inside the trailer seems very solid. I don't want to spend a lot of money on this thing, just wondered if there was a quick fix not involving removing the entire roof.
  • FLY_4_FUN's avatar
    FLY_4_FUN
    Explorer
    Jan 20, 2015
    Is the roof soft in spots, because it looks like waves on a lake up there! Can you walk on the roof? I would think there was previous water issues or else the roof membrane is glued down in areas and has lifted in others.

    I suggest an inspection by an rv service dept

    Daryll
  • Slate_CM's avatar
    Slate_CM
    Explorer II
    Jan 20, 2015
    JRRNeiklot wrote:


    http://i1381.photobucket.com/albums/ah218/John_Tolkien/100_0717_zpsa24f5690.jpg


    http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/John_Tolkien/media/100_0719_zps9d51491a.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

    http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/John_Tolkien/media
    /100_0716_zpsca6cd283.jpg.html?sort=3&o=3

    http://s1381.photobucket.com/user/John_Tolkien/media/100_0717_zpsa24f5690.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2








  • amandasgramma's avatar
    amandasgramma
    Explorer
    Jan 20, 2015
    no pic showing up......dents that don't leak.....leave them alone. Dents that leak, fix.....

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