Forum Discussion

DMas's avatar
DMas
Explorer
Nov 17, 2018

Repairing aluminum roof

During a storm the other night, a rather large oak branch fell on our 2003 Lance 1161. It left us with two problems on the roof, which is aluminum: a 6" diameter dent about 3/4" deep, and a few inches away from that, a sizeable gash (2" wide by about 6" long)

Believe it or not, this is the first serious damage we've had to the roof - first time something penetrated it, anyway. So, I'm looking for advice on repairing these two issues. I would prefer to avoid re-skinning the entire roof!

Thanks in advance!
Truck Campers
  • NRALIFR's avatar
    NRALIFR
    Explorer
    Nov 18, 2018
    I’ve owned my 2001 1121 for 15 years, and one of the first things I did after buying it was remove the TV antenna from the roof. I patched the hole in very much the same way Brad patched his. I made a patch from a roll of aluminum flashing, and used some Eternabond double-stick tape to hold it down. Eternabond double-stick is the Eternabond adhesive with no vinyl backer. I covered one side of the patch entirely with it. After sticking the patch down, I caulked the perimeter with lap sealant. That patch has never leaked.

    :):)
  • SidecarFlip's avatar
    SidecarFlip
    Explorer III
    Nov 18, 2018
    theoldwizard1 wrote:
    Whatever glue/sealant/tape you choose, sand the area with fine sandpaper and clean with acetone.


    Yep, you have to remove the oxidation before doing anything. My old lance also had a one piece aluminum roof. IMO, they all should be that way. Got a small hole in mine fro a branch. filled it and patched it with some aluminum sheet from Hone Depot. Sealed the aluminum patch with the dreaded silicone. Was on there and fine when I sold the camper. Never leaked a drop.
  • c_traveler2's avatar
    c_traveler2
    Nomad
    Nov 18, 2018
    BradW has the right idea about patching hole in aluminum roofs for those large holes. For smaller holes I just use JB wield, it has worked great!
  • jaycocreek's avatar
    jaycocreek
    Explorer II
    Nov 18, 2018
    I have found nothing better for aluminum roofs than Mobile home coatings and repair accessories..They have a tape called "peel and seal" with an aluminum backing for repair jobs on mobile home aluminum roofs...

    Every aluminum roof I have owned on an RV has had the roof coated with Snow roof and none of them have ever leaked plus it cuts way down on the suns rays and keeps the RV cooler.

    Mobile homes tend to break seams alot more than RV's because of there size and weight traveling.
  • theoldwizard1's avatar
    theoldwizard1
    Explorer II
    Nov 17, 2018
    Whatever glue/sealant/tape you choose, sand the area with fine sandpaper and clean with acetone.
  • BradW's avatar
    BradW
    Explorer II
    Nov 17, 2018
    Many years ago we had 2" diameter limb from a very tall pine tree lawn dart a hole in the aluminum roof of our lance camper. It was deep, but didn't penetrate the ceiling vinyl. I filled the hole with expanding spray foam insulation from a can. I then cut an aluminum patch about 6" in diameter and glued it down over the hole. That was 18 years ago and never had a problem
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    Nov 17, 2018
    I'd try eternabond. It comes in different widths and lengths. Readily available on eBay.

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