Patching roof on a northern lite.

[Walterinmontana]

I'd like to first apologize if this has been discussed. I used the search function to no avail.
I have a 2003 10.2 northern lite. It's a beast. I come from a Four Wheel Camper. I got a great deal on the NL and still am on the fence if I want to sell it or keep it. Regardless, I'd like to eliminate the ac unit on the roof. In my research I have found I can remove the unit and replace it a fantastic fan. Easy enough.....My issue is there is a ~4'x4' ribbed fiberglass panel that the ac unit sits on. Maybe to raise it up? I'd like to remove this ribbed panel and install a fiberglass sheet. I can't find any information on that ribbed panel or what to use to replace it with. All I can really find is "rv fiberglass siding panels". Which I suppose I could use. Does anyone have any info they could share on the thickness I should use? Where to buy? Or any other insight?
I sure do appreciate it.
Walter

[Walterinmontana]

I appreciate all the replys. I'll be pulling the ac assess the ribbed panel better and make my decision from there. Thanks again.

[markchengr]

Take a look at "Homemade Skylight (Spott)" in Truck Camper University for some information on the raised reinforcement panel. -Mark.

[maxum1989]

Your thinking is exactly what I went through when I was considering putting the panel on my roof. I was going to put it up there "in case" I ever wanted the AC back on. Well, after talking to Keith at Northern Lite about the panel and finding that it was a little expensive for something I probably would never use, I decided to skip it and go with just the vent. I will warn you, the peaked roof does add a little fun to mounting the vent properly but its not a huge deal. And yes, its just the roof under the panel.
In your case you will have a bunch of holes to deal with after removing the panel and who knows what your roof will look like under the there? Tough call. Another thing, if you do sell the camper one day and someone looks up there, are they going to wonder what happened to the roof in that area if you don't replace the panel? Just some things to think about.
I am lucky to have a storage roof over my camper. If it were me I would remove the panel and then decide what my plan would be. Looks ugly, get a new panel. Looks not bad, just the vent.

[Walterinmontana]

I'm considering my options. Although replacing the ribbed panel makes sense for future re installation of the ac unit, the $300 price point has me leaning towards just removing it and installing a powered fan. Complete removal will also free up some space in the center to install a couple of pv panels. Anyone out there want to talk me out of it? Am I opening up a can of worms? Has Anyone removed this panel? Just the roof under there right?

[Walterinmontana]

Fantastic information. Thank you.

[maxum1989]

Those AC support panels are specific to NL. Last time I checked they were roughly $300 from NL. I was going to add one to my camper as the previous owner put a AC unit on without the support panel. In the end I just removed the AC and put in a powered fan.

[Walterinmontana]

I have no idea what's under the ribbed molding. I assume the fiberglass roof with a 14" square hole and lots of screw holes around the perimeter. I agree with you that there is a benefit to leaving the ribbed molding. Are those specific to NL? I would like to just replace the ribbed molding reinforced panel but I can't seem to find one online or it mentioned anywhere except the link above. I've patched plenty of canoes in my day, surf boards when I was a adolescent, I'm not too concerned about that aspect. I just want to get rid of the ac unit and the generator as I will never use them.

[HMS_Beagle]

Do you know what is under the ribbed molding?

It looks like an overlay that NL put there to better distribute the weight of the AC unit, which has been known to sag the roof in NL and BF campers. If it were mine, I would want to leave it there for several reasons: you (or a future owner) may want to reinstall an AC unit, it stiffens the roof for better structure, it raises the flange of the vent helping to eliminate leaks (water runs downhill - most people know this but RV manufacturers do not), the holes are already there, you will not need to make a mess demolishing the existing panel.

Patching fiberglass is really very easy, especially so if it is on the roof so the appearance of the repair is less of a concern. Done right, the repair will be permanent, as strong as the original camper, and require no maintenance ever. Go to West Systems and you will find all the information you need - instruction, videos, etc. The materials are available at any West Marine store (curiously West Marine and West Systems are not related). I would use a couple layers of 6 oz cloth for this or the equivalent. The reason to use epoxy is that the secondary bond of epoxy is much better than the polyester the camper was made from. When you are done, paint the surface white to protect the epoxy from UV.

[Walterinmontana]

Yes! Thank you for that link. My dilemma is that ribbed roof mount is cracked. Should i replace it? Can I eliminate it and patch the screw holes? Should I remove and replace it with just a fiberglass sheet the same size without the ribs? Any advice?
Thank you

[Joe417]

This is similar post in the TC university.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21035350.cfm

[Walterinmontana]

Thank you. Yes I intended to contact them this week. As for the wiring, yes I will have to convert it to
12v but that's a the easy part.

[Tiger4x4RV]

Perhaps the best/fastest way to find your answer is to contact Northern Lite. There is contact page on their website:
http://www.northern-lite.com/contact_northern_lite_camper_sales.php

Won't you have to replace the AC's 110V wiring with 12V for the Fantastic Fan? The factory might have suggestions for that.