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Dutchmen roof help

Started by MoDutchmen, Jan 10, 2007, 09:01 PM

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MoDutchmen

Jan 10, 2007, 09:01 PM
Hello All Im brand new to the whole camper world. Ok I just bought a 95 dutchmen 1001 xs. its a great camper but it has been leaking. I took the edge ptrip off both sides and the right side looks great but the left side im going to have to replace the entire board. I need help guys. where do I start. Does dutchmen make replacement sides for the roof? Oh ive got a ton of questions. So any help would be awsome guys. I am so glad I found this site. I think its going to be a great forum for knowledge. Thanks all.

Recumbentman

#1
Jan 11, 2007, 03:03 PM
Hello MoDutchmen and welcome to PUT.
I have never had to make such a repair so I am not much there. But I can give you a couple of links that you could check out and see if you could get a replacement. another idea is to use the search button here and make a search for "roof repair" and see what kind of posting you get. I know that others have done the same.

check out:
COLAW

WKS

GOOD LUCK

popmeup

#2
Jan 11, 2007, 06:21 PM
Quote from: MoDutchmenHello All Im brand new to the whole camper world. Ok I just bought a 95 dutchmen 1001 xs. its a great camper but it has been leaking. I took the edge ptrip off both sides and the right side looks great but the left side im going to have to replace the entire board. I need help guys. where do I start. Does dutchmen make replacement sides for the roof? Oh ive got a ton of questions. So any help would be awsome guys. I am so glad I found this site. I think its going to be a great forum for knowledge. Thanks all.


May I make a suggestion.....get your money back & run.

The first camper I purchased was a 1994 Dutchman. Everything was in good shape except the lifting cable was snapped. After repairing the lift system I discovered it was somewhat difficult to raise the roof. While cleaning out the inside I noticed the side panel of the roof was squishy and water would come out if you squeezed the fabric that was over it. I took the door off from the roof and noticed a rotten side panel with bugs crawling in it. After calling several dealers I found out that the '94/'95 units had a problem with the roofs. When the sheet metal for the roof was put through the machine that presses the "design/pattern" into the metal someone had the pressure set to high. This caused small pinholes in the entire top/side roof panels. Over the years the roof will "soak" up water and rot away.
I was planning on getting a new roof for mine since it was still covered under the factory recall at the time at a cost of $800 (labor only) but I couldn't find the VIN number on the camper. Someone had ground it off. After making this discovery and the roof problem the previous owner gave me a refund.

MoDutchmen

#3
Jan 11, 2007, 08:39 PM
Well there is no getting my money back and running I need to fix this. its just one of the side boards its not the whole top, and it is not the door side it is the opposite side. It looks fairly simple to fix. Just wanted some advice and input. Im not sure where to get the material that they cover these things with stuff like that. I really dont think it would be that hard to fix. Mine still has the vin#'s.
Thanx for the links.

chip

#4
Jan 13, 2007, 08:37 AM
Not sure how applicable to your situation this is, but I replaced one of the panels on my '67 Starcraft with 1/4" (I think-it's been a long time...) plywood.  Removed the old stuff and cut a new piece to fit.  Sealed the roof and never had any more problems.

Make sure to check the points where the roof mounts to the lifter arms.

I had a '99 Dutchmen 801 and was please with it.  We just traded last October for a bigger trailer.

Good Luck.

beenatthisawhile

#5
Jan 15, 2007, 07:22 PM
Man I know exactly what you are talking about. Ours is doing the same thing. I am not looking forward to fixing it either.  Let us know how you are going to attempt to fix this. I am not too fond of the floor plan in our pop up, but can't really buy a different one now. Otherwise I would just try and sell it. But no one would buy it in the shape the roof is in
anyway.

DiscoDuck

#7
Mar 20, 2007, 08:08 AM
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Modutchmen, Thankyou for the pictures. I am extremely interested in your project being I recently picked up a 93 dutchman duck with the same problem. I don't know if I should live with the damage until the roof falls in and despose of the unit or rip it apart and fix it. I'm concerned I may open a can of worms I can't handle. I'm afraid that when I remove the first board I may reveal more damage than I expected. Like your pop-up, my side and back roof-edge boards are mushy, filled with water and black(bloated). When you took off the side boards was the ceiling wood also damaged, did you have to replace the entire top? How are the side panels connected to the roof? Did you save the surface on the outside and inside to put on the new wood or did you replace it? Is it posible to replace two roof edge boards and not do all ? What was your first step,removeing the tent? As you can see I am full of questions and would love to hear about your progress and hopefully your success! Please write back.

westendhousingnc

#8
Mar 20, 2007, 01:39 PM
Quote from: MoDutchmenWell there is no getting my money back and running I need to fix this. its just one of the side boards its not the whole top, and it is not the door side it is the opposite side. It looks fairly simple to fix. Just wanted some advice and input. Im not sure where to get the material that they cover these things with stuff like that. I really dont think it would be that hard to fix. Mine still has the vin#'s.
Thanx for the links.
I repair theses things from time to time and short of replacing the roof, you're on your own for an alternative.  When the seals fail and the roof OSB absorbs water and swells, replacement is inevitable.  A new roof for a Palomino product cost me more than $800 dollars and shipping was more than that due to the bulk and weight (600 pounds).  Fortunately, this unit was under warranty.
Kevin
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