Weird bulge I noticed inside my camper

Yeknomssarb wrote:

opnspaces wrote:
Unfortunately you're eventually going to have to find some way to open it up and look. I know I have let my awning slap up repeatedly without damage. But that doesn't mean that yours wasn't damaged by the same thing.

When you push it in, does it feel like just thin wood and then stops when it is flat? If so it might just the the paneling warped away from the frame. If that is the case you might be able to just drive a screw into the bulge and secure it to the stud again.

Yeah I definitely plan to open it up and have a look soon. Like I said before it feels pretty tough when I push it in, I have to give a good 2 handed push to get it to go flat. Then it just pops back out after I let it go. I may be able to just screw it down, but I would feel more comfortable to take a look on the inside before I do that.

I am new to campers and am not entirely sure what something like that should feel like when I try to push it back in place, haha. Also, I am really not sure what the best way to open it up would be. I don't really want to wreck anything else.

Anyone have any tips?

I would try to access the wall cavity by putting a finger tip or a small tool into the top of the bulge gap near the ceiling. What I'd be trying to feel is if the stud has pushed out with the wall covering or is it still in place, fastened to the frame top rail. If the stud is still in place, I'd send some adhesive down into the exterior of the wall covering, press, it in place, and fasten it with a screw underneath the white trim rail, adjacent to the ceiling. It might take some additional fastening and//or bracing under tension until the adhesive sets. This is the least intrusive repair I can think of.

I'm in agreement with one of your preliminary diagnosis', the kids swung on the valance and it forced the paneling to bulge. It would be more likely if the valance is glued to the wall paneling, that would take the force of the rug-rat onto the paneling and not to the wall framing.

Good luck with your repair!