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Topic: roof cracks (Read 701 times) previous topic - next topic

roof cracks

I have had recurring problems with cracks in the roof of my 2003 U 320 (3820). I have had the cracks repaired locally, and the roof painted. Then after cracks recurred, I had an extensive repair and recoating done at the body shop at FOT. Now I have another large crack behind the batwing TV antenna running crosswise maybe 3 feet. I need advice on (1) a temporary repair and (2) a permanent solution. All help appreciated. As far as I can tell, no interior damage, yet!

Re: roof cracks

Reply #1 –
If you are able, I would take it to James Stallings and have them take a look at it.

Re: roof cracks

Reply #2 –
Why not take it back to FOT? I am sure they can find the cause. Extreme might be good but FOT who did the work surely would be my first choice.

Re: roof cracks

Reply #3 –
Horace,

You didn't say if all the cracks are in close proximity or fit a more random pattern. Also, hard to comment on how a repair was done without being there as there are more permanent solutions or just cosmetic repairs that repair shops may have used. No permanent solution can be suggested without first knowing what caused the cracks in the first place. Is it possible the vehicle was involved in a previous accident before you bought it or is it a manufacturing defect? Has your rig be stored outside in a very hot climate or always garaged?

When we were shopping for our Foretravel, one 1989 U280 we looked at had three cracks in the same right rear area on the roof. It had been stored outside it's entire life and the glass roof had separated from the wood underneath under the cracks, possibly because of water leaks compounded by glass degradation from the sun. Is it possible your "bat" may have let water through some through roof fasteners? In trying to remove some of the roof sealant around vents, antennas, etc. on our coach, I could see many areas with dirt underneath, a sign that the sealant had cracked and water/dirt had entered and migrated to other areas under the sealant. Once through the top layer glass layer, water may travel through the wood to other areas possibly causing problems.

Guess this points to the factory with lots of experience, expertise and with it, the ability to find and see telltale evidence. Otherwise, shops may be just guessing.

Pierce

Re: roof cracks

Reply #4 –
When we took possession of our coach last March I noticed that we had some cracks in the roof.  I didn't know how the roof was made and wanted to be sure I had a good top.  We happened to be in Texas and scheduled a visit to Nac. to have the crack repaired, a new coating applied and did some other small stuff.  A few coach bucks.  Bisquit, at the paint shop, cleaned out the cracks filled and covered them with fiberglass tape.  The areas were faired out very nicely and the new coating seems to be working great.  (Many threads here on the coatings both from Extreme and FOT)  The cost was about $1600.00 +/- and I no longer have to worry about it.  We are not made of $$$ and we consider costs vs benefits of everything/repair/upgrade we do.  I considered this to be a maintenance item and money well spent.  I second the FOT input if possible.

Re: roof cracks

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Horace B. Cupp –
I have had recurring problems with cracks in the roof of my 2003 U 320 (3820). I have had the cracks repaired locally, and the roof painted. Then after cracks recurred, I had an extensive repair and recoating done at the body shop at FOT. Now I have another large crack behind the batwing TV antenna

Horace,

If you haven't, I would definitely discuss the crack reappearance with FOT/the FT body shop first.  It's possible they missed something and we have found them reasonable to work with on such issues.

Re: roof cracks

Reply #6 –
Well, I got up on the roof next door to the coach with a pair of good binoculars and a good camera (I cannot get on the roof of the coach anymore). The major cracks are at the sites that FOT "fixed"  a couple of years ago. Guess a call to Cory or to Justin is in order. Thanks folks, as often noted previously, this is the place for great help. I did need an excuse to head south this fall.
 

Re: roof cracks

Reply #7 –
That's what I was thinking. A good repair has to be at least as thick as the original glass and overlap quite a bit for a long crack. Not going to be visible so no need to make a lengthy procedure out of the repair a you would have to do on the sides/rear/front. A good cleaning, sanding for adhesion and layers of Fiberglas cloth (NOT mat) with polyester resin or epoxy resin used with only enough resin used to thoroughly wet the cloth. The strength lies in the cloth not the resin so the best jobs have a high cloth to resin ratio. In other words, the resin bonds the cloth together and to the roof with the cloth giving the strength to the repair. Will then need UV protection over the repair.

I do like using epoxy resin for almost any repair. It sticks to anything, does not have much of an odor and is impervious to diesel or gas. I have even used it with Fiberglas cloth to fix long cracks in RV black water tanks. Nothing else would work and the tanks are still without leaks in our old SOB. West Marine carries good stuff.

Pierce