Forum Discussion

ducky_07's avatar
ducky_07
Explorer
Feb 21, 2017

Ceiling Bowed, Snow? Slide Out?

We have just bought a 2012 Layton Joey 312, pending final inspection in the spring.

We noticed while inside it yesterday that 2 panels seem to be bowed. These panels are both in the center(approximately) of the slide outs (living room and bunk house)

The owner explained it as the ceiling being compacted because the slide outs are in, when the slide outs go out the ceiling will decompress and be flat again.

Its not delamination or sagging, the bow is quite solid. But there is also about 2' of snow/ice on top of the trailer right now.

Is the compression thing for real? Or is it ice/snow load?

*edited sorry, I just learned the difference between tip and slide out!
  • Mfan's avatar
    Mfan
    Explorer
    Feb 21, 2017
    I wouldn't touch it. What if it isn't as the person selling it says?
  • troubledwaters's avatar
    troubledwaters
    Explorer III
    Feb 21, 2017
    Tip Outs or Slide Outs? There is a difference. Tip outs are hinged (generally at the bottom) and "tip" out, hence they have a collapsible roof that could be bowed by snow. Slide Outs are just that, the whole room slides out, floor, walls, & roof all as one solid unit. These should have a solid roof and probably should not be bowed.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Feb 21, 2017
    make your final inspection and decide then. if something pops up before then you want, can you get your money/deposit back?
    sounds iffy to me, weight of snow/ice causing the roof to sag????
    bumpy
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Feb 21, 2017
    troubledwaters wrote:
    Tip Outs or Slide Outs? There is a difference. Tip outs are hinged (generally at the bottom) and "tip" out, hence they have a collapsible roof that could be bowed by snow. Slide Outs are just that, the whole room slides out, floor, walls, & roof all as one solid unit. These should have a solid roof and probably should not be bowed.


    Pretty obvious these are slide outs ... personally I wouldn't touch it either, explanation sounds fishy to me. :(
  • ducky_07's avatar
    ducky_07
    Explorer
    Feb 21, 2017
    Its the main ceiling, not the slide out ceiling.
    There is snow on the entire trailer, any reason why only 2 panels would be bowed?
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Feb 21, 2017
    ducky_07 wrote:
    Its the main ceiling, not the slide out ceiling.
    There is snow on the entire trailer, any reason why only 2 panels would be bowed?



    RUN as fast as you can.

    Main Ceiling Bowing is due to damaged roof trusses from being overloaded by weight of SNOW

    Roof is DAMAGED
    Has NOTHING to do with slideouts being retracted or extended

    RUN!
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Feb 21, 2017
    I agree with the others above. The roof is damaged. If it's a flat roof, the top will be depressed. When the snow melts, all that water will sit in that hole. If it's a bowed roof, water may still run off, but with either, the trusses are broken. Unless you want to take on a restore project, I suggest skipping this camper completely. If you put money down for a deposit ... just go ahead an cut your losses and be done with it. You'll be getting out much, much cheaper than if you decide to keep it and try to do the repair. Not to mention your time doing the repair too.

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