Trailer roof repair

[rockfan4]

A damaged enclosed trailer showed up on the local craigslist. A tree fell on it.

Walk away, run away, or simple fix? It wouldn't have to be 100% water tight, but could you straighten that rail, cut out the damaged area, and rivet on a patch? It looks to be all aluminum, or maybe everything but the frame, and that's what got me interested.

[A930Rocket]

Seems like you could beat what you need to in shape, cut out the damaged sections and patch, using some kind of sealer (silicone?).

Instead of pop rivet, seems like a more watertight seal would be solid rivets. But then you would need two people, one inside and one outside, not mention the rivet shaping tools.

[dad911]

Weird tear marks for a tree. No damage to walls?

Looks to me like some carefull jacking/prying would fix the rails, and I'd piece in a new roof skin.

Is that a featherlite? If so, jump on it.

[billybek]

Trailer from Jurassic Park?
Looks like the damage was from the inside out!

[Bill Douglas]

Aluminium is easy stuff to work with. Even if it's not perfect, it will be on the roof so no one will see but the pigeons. And the inside will have the lining in place so you won't see that either.

[herr_oberst]

Pelican Tim Hancock rebuilt a Motor Coach that had terrible crash damage. Even as skilled as he is - and he is very skilled - I was thinking no way. He methodically worked his way through it and it looks terrific and he saved a siht-ton of money.

You've got this.

[stealthn]

Good time to cut the roof off and put in plexiglass for the light

[rfuerst911sc]

Looks like a fairly easy fix . Cut out the bad , straighten any framework and rivet in patch panels . Caulk the perimeter of the patch panels . Clean the entire roof and apply white RV coating to the entire roof . Good to go for many years . I suggest white because it is cooler in direct summer sun light .

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Pelican Tim Hancock rebuilt a Motor Coach that had terrible crash damage. Even as skilled as he is - and he is very skilled - I was thinking no way. He methodically worked his way through it and it looks terrific and he saved a siht-ton of money.

You've got this.

Here is a video I made showing how I tackled my roof damage on my coach project mentioned above. The underlying aluminum was mangled pretty bad. I just cut out the worst of it and replaced with new aluminum scabbed in pieces.

If you don't care if it looks perfect, this should be an easy repair. I would second what A930Rocket and rfeurst911sc suggested above and just beat it somewhat straight, cut out the bad sections of the roof and then patch with new aluminum patches and rivets. Maybe seal the patch edges and rivets with rv sealant roof sealant.

[911 Rod]

Depends on just how cheap it is to buy.

[Baz]

These are the kinds of threads I enjoy.....

[rockfan4]

Sold. Crap.

I have tomorrow off, I was all set to go look at it.

I guess it was a good deal.