Roof Damage to my 2007 Fleetwood Niagara

[petew]

Having brought the pop up home from extended woods camping I've have discovered a hole approximately 2"x1" and a smaller ding about 1/2" in the front top of my Pup (I have the 2007 Niagara).

It's just left of center just back from the curve at the front of the top.  

Most likely a tree limb hit it while I was in the woods.  But we also just had a big storm here in Virginia Beach and it could be from that.  My first problem honestly, is I'm not even sure of the what the roof skin material is.  I thought someone might know.  It appears to be aluminum or composite. I'm looking primarily for suggestions or guidance on if it can be successfully repaired in a cosmetically pleasing way.  Thanks

[austinado16]

Now that really sucks.

Here's what I would do:
1) Take a dental pick type of tool and pull that caved in section back out flush with the rest of the roof.  If it will stay flush, proceed to step 2.  If it won't, I'd pull it out slightly past the rest of the roof skin and use a tip of a screwdriver to keep it held out slightly.

2) Using something like RV Sealant, I'd push sealant in behind that piece.  Then let go of that piece and see if it'll stay just about flush.  If you use something paintable, you can come back after it's dry and paint in with a small brush.

3) Take advantage of the roof texture to hide the repair.  As the sealant skins over, dimple it so it's not smooth/shiny.

Of course not being there and seeing the actual damage and knowing what the roof's made of, this is just my initial thought.  YMMV based on what you're actually working with.

[flyfisherman]

Could you contact Fleetwood and find out what the roof material is?

Had to repair my Starcraft's aluminum roof sometime ago and here I used a two part epoxy flexible filler. In my case it was the awning that got away from me in a high wind. I had waited too long before taking it down and that wind simply jerked that awning right out of my hands! As the awning flapped in the breeze the awning's rafter punched a hole in the roof. Thanks be to duct tape for the temporary patch so that I could keep going for the week! Then to add insult to injury, on the way back home ran into a hail storm so that added some "dimples" to the roof, too.

Be glad to let you know how I made the repair if needed.



Fly

[petew]

Now that really sucks.

Here's what I would do:

Thanks, I have been busy with storm related work, but yesterday after Phyllis discovered the hole I sealed it with Duct Tape.  What else?  And pop up the top.  There had been some leakage during the big nor'easter we just experienced (I live in Virginia Beach), but no serious interior damage.  I need a couple of days of dry weather and I'll open it up and rig something up to dry the interior foam insulation that absorbed the rain water.  Luckily the Niagara has a built in clothes hanger attached to the ceiling within inches of the roof leak.  If nothing else I should be able to remove that and use the area hidden when it's in place to put in a small hole/s to vent the encapsulated foam insulation.  As for the roof repair your suggestion sounds good.  Like you say the surface is dimpled.  I just don't want my repair to look to awful.  :mad:   I know longer think the skin is aluminum.  I'm calling the local Coleman dealer back today (service guy was out yesterday) and see if they know what it is.  The new Coleman website is also a possibility, but they only have a message window for contact.  I'd prefer to call them.

[petew]

Could you contact Fleetwood and find out what the roof material is?

Had to repair my Starcraft's aluminum roof sometime ago and here I used a two part epoxy flexible filler.

Fly

Your commiseration is appreciated, LOL.  While the jury is still officially out on the roof skin material I have decided it is not aluminum.  Today I should find out for sure.  That said I would like to know how you made the repair and if you found it cosmetically acceptable.  I got a post from someone else who said she took it to the dealer and they went through her insurance and replaced the whole roof.  So that's an option I guess.

[oreo57]

Maybe it's Filon
 
See the bottom of the link for repair techniques.

[flyfisherman]

Your commiseration is appreciated, LOL.  While the jury is still officially out on the roof skin material I have decided it is not aluminum.  Today I should find out for sure.  That said I would like to know how you made the repair and if you found it cosmetically acceptable.  I got a post from someone else who said she took it to the dealer and they went through her insurance and replaced the whole roof.  So that's an option I guess.

If you have comprehensive insurance on the camper itself that is surely the way to go. That's what I had and I think the policy cost me something like $35.00 a year (at that time) and they ended up paying me something like $1,350.00 for the damages. I, of course, paid maybe $150.00 for materials and patched it myself.