ABS roof system cracks ?

[ecricky]

I have a 98 coleman sante fe and i just noticed the other day that the roof has cracks in it ,it has the ABS roof system,I  was wondering if anybody has had that problem and what can be done to fix it,it's the outer panel that is split. The inside is still good as far as I can tell, but I can't understand why the outer shell type thing would crack. Also the awning fell off the side last fall,it seemed to get to warm or something,and it just slid off. It was just caulked on from what I can see but I just can't see why it would do that.  :confused:

 I'm sorry about the long post but I've been trying to figure out what I can do and I guess I'm hoping for some ideas.  thanks for your time

[tlhdoc]

Well as for the cracks that is a problem with the ABS roof.  If you are the original owner the roof will be replaced for free, but you will have to pay shipping which is very expensive.  I had my roof replace a couple of years ago and the shipping was $300.  I live about 2 hours from the factory.  If you are not the original owner then I would try and patch the roof.  There are ABS repair kits that you can get.  As for the awning falling off, I am guessing the metal C channel on the roof fell off too.  That channel is just glued on to the roof.  Again if it is under warranty the repair will be done for free.  If you are not the original owner you will have to pay for the repair.  There is a special glue that is used for ABS.
 
Here is a repair product for ABS.  I have not used it, so I can't comment on how it works.  http://www.electricalconnection.com/non-electrical/abs_repair_kit.htm

[ecricky]

I am not the original owner so I'm out of luck there,I will have to patch it myself I'm sure.I was  hoping someone else had done that and could tell me if it worked.
 I guess I'll try that stuff . Your right,the metal channel slid off so that will have to be glued back on,I 'll have to see if I can find anything for that. Thanks for the info. I  wondered if that wasn't a problem with that roof system because they didn't use it for to many years.

[tlhdoc]

The stopped using the ABS roof sometime in 2003.  Some of the 2003's have it and some don't.  Good luck with the fix.  If you can take pictures and post how it came out.  There is a special glue used to attach the awning rail.  Other than a fleetwood dealer I don't know where you would get it or what it is called, sorry.

[ecricky]

I wrote Fleetwood and they told me the same thing,If it's under warranty they will fix it but it's not so I have to do it myself.They did say they have a repair kit for it but I have to get it through a dealer,they also have a glue for the awning so I will try that .I'll try to take pic's and post them after I repair it.

[fxk3760]

I wrote Fleetwood and they told me the same thing,If it's under warranty they will fix it but it's not so I have to do it myself.They did say they have a repair kit for it but I have to get it through a dealer,they also have a glue for the awning so I will try that .I'll try to take pic's and post them after I repair it.

Hello,

     I have a 2002 Coleman Westlake with the same problem.  Where you able to find something to fix these cracks?  I called a local Fleetwood dealer and was told that they have been waiting for 4 months so far for this repair kit.  I am going to try 100% silicone and put a tarp over the roof when not in use.

Francis

[tlhdoc]

Welcome to PUT fxk3760.  Sorry to hear about your roof problem.  Why don't you try the ABS repair kit posted above?
http://www.electricalconnection.com/non-electrical/abs_repair_kit.htm
 
Are you the original owner?  If so the roof is covered under the life time warranty.

[spirited]

I have a 98 coleman sante fe and i just noticed the other day that the roof has cracks in it ,it has the ABS roof system,I  was wondering if anybody has had that problem and what can be done to fix it,it's the outer panel that is split. The inside is still good as far as I can tell, but I can't understand why the outer shell type thing would crack. Also the awning fell off the side last fall,it seemed to get to warm or something,and it just slid off. It was just caulked on from what I can see but I just can't see why it would do that.  :confused:

 I'm sorry about the long post but I've been trying to figure out what I can do and I guess I'm hoping for some ideas.  thanks for your time

I just got back today from a service dealership after taking my 2002 Coleman pop up for cracks along both sides of the panels on the roof.  I am very frustrated because the first time I brought my pop up in for service they took a picture and told me I would have to bring back the pop up in a few days because they needed to send a picture to Coleman for authorization.  I brought my pop up in today again and was told the roof needs to be replaced and will take 4-6 weeks to get a new roof.  This is not even the bad part.  I have a life time guarantee on the ABS roof, but I was told it would cost $400.00 to $550.00 because I have to pay the frieght charge for the delivery.  My question to anyone is it possible to drive to whereever they are located in PA and not pay the freight charges?  I have just picked up my pop up with the cracked roof and was charged $100.00 to replace a brake bulb and put adhesive glue on strip comming off around front edges of the pop up and 2 holes drilled and filled with filler to stop any more cracks.  I think this is outrageous.  As a single mom with 2 chidren who loves camping I find this to be quite ridiculous.  Can anyone tell me their experiences with cracked ABs roofs.  I certainly would have not purchased this pop up if I knew the problems I would incur over such a short period of timel  HELP!!!

[mike4947]

Not much help. Only a dealer can install the roof, they won't do it at the factory and even the closest dealer to the Summerset factory gets charged $300 for shipping. That plus the cost of gas to drive back and forth twice would be more than what your dealer is charged for the shipping.

As for the minor repairs with dealer labor rates at an average of $100 an hour that's about right for the bill.