Repair of hole in roof/floor CUB camper.
Submitted: Monday, Jul 09, 2007 at 17:38
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aargee
Hi all,
This is a little long, but we would appreciate any input...
We are borrowing the inlaws Cub Spacematic camper trailer with a view to buy. At some time in the past small stones (two of them) have lodged, unnoticed, between the rack and the roof while on the road. The camper unfolds and the roof then becomes the floor and the rack supports the weight of those walking on the floor, the two small stones in question have then punched holes in the roof panel.
They have been 'patched' with silastic but have subsequently leaked as
water pooled on the roof. We've had to drill a 1/4" hole near the back and have the roof vertical to drain the
water, it is now hopefully close to dry inside. This has caused some expansion and warping of the floor, but it still seems to be structurally sound, no leaking inside but maybe a little around the one edge on the outside of the canvas.
The roof is some sort of composite layer of white fibreglass sheet, polystyrene (which we can see) and the (guessing) 3-4 ply then lino.
The expensive option is to get the roof re-panelled with Cub or a specailist.
Question: How can we repair the holes?
- Thought about getting some polyester resin and filling the cavity with as much as it will take, but the cavity seems to be 'spongy' and maybe full of smaller areas hard for the resin to flow to.
- Space filling foam, again small access hole, may not fill a large area and the stuff is like baby poo when it gets going (sticks to everything and is messy), hard to work with.
- Just patch the holes with a little epoxy or resin to make a waterproof seal and live with the warpy floor.
Any ideas? Again sorry about the wordy post.
Thanks in advance,
- Rob.
Reply By: Member - greg S (QLD) - Monday, Jul 09, 2007 at 18:29
Monday, Jul 09, 2007 at 18:29
Hi Rob,
I would give Cub a call and see what they use, or what they might recomend.
Don't know too much about the warping, but watched a couple as they were closing their Cub camper and the floor flexed a bit. But it seemed to close and seal properly.
I don't know if others have the same issue with their Cub camper, or it is just the way it is.
Cub's phone number: 02 9896 3550
fax number: 02 9688 1770
opening hours 8:30am-5pm mon -fri and 8:30am-4pm sat's
Hope this helps
Greg
AnswerID:
251551
Reply By: Cobes - Monday, Jul 09, 2007 at 23:04
Monday, Jul 09, 2007 at 23:04
Hi Argee,
I had a similar problem with my Cub Supermatic off road.
I spoke to Cub about replacing the floor and they suggested over $2000 which was way too much.
In the end I replaced the floor with 3mm aluminium checker plate and some aluminium angle for the edges as
well as a couple of supports to prevent the checker plate sagging.
You will also need to use the
services of a good aluminium welder.
From memory all up it cost less than $1500.
The aluminum floor is much better than the original, however it is a touch heavier.
After replacing the floor I put lino on the floor which is much better under foot on cold mornings.
Let me know if you need any other info.
Cheers
Chris.
AnswerID:
251626
Reply By: Member - Ross H (QLD) - Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 at 09:06
Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 at 09:06
Hi Rob
We have a Aussie Swag camper and had the same problem as you and what we done was to fibre glass the top. It has worked
well and still is no leaks. Cost about $200 for materials and is as tough as nails.
regards
ross
AnswerID:
251657
Reply By: Shaker - Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 at 10:22
Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 at 10:22
Any chance of posting a photo of the roof structure so that we can see how it is assembled?
AnswerID:
251663
Follow Up By: 01Rod - Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 at 13:35
Tuesday, Jul 10, 2007 at 13:35
Why dont you post this question to the
forum at
www.campertrailers.org
as
well...
never hurts to get some other opinions
Rod
FollowupID:
512762
Follow Up By: aargee - Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 at 10:30
Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 at 10:30
Hi all,
Thanks for the replies!
The 'repair at Cub' option is a little out of out price range.
Rod, will try and post some photos tonight, the holes are small and the roof construction I alluded to are partly guesstimation on my part.
Epoxy/resin patch is looking like the way to go, ignoring any internal damage and living with it.
Still happy to hear from and experts (or even not so expert!)
- Rob.
FollowupID:
512934
Follow Up By: Axel [ the real one ] - Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 at 19:54
Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 at 19:54
In other words Shaker ,you know jack about the problem but you are an expert if you see a photo ,,,,,,,,,,
FollowupID:
513003
Follow Up By: Shaker - Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 at 23:03
Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 at 23:03
As a matter fact I am, & I don't give advice unless I know what I'm talking about.
Being a qualified boat builder with more than a little experience in composite construction & GRP over ply construction, I think a simple thing like a camper lid wouldn't represent too big a problem ...... and your reason for being in this thread is ???
FollowupID:
513053
Reply By: Member - Pesty (SA) - Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 at 18:56
Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 at 18:56
We bought a new cub supermatic escape off road 2 years ago, and the same thing has happened, but I noticed it before the warranty ran out, so I am forcing cub to fix it under warranty.
I notice that the new ones are alum. checkerplate on top now so that the stones dont puncture the thin sheet. I am in the throws of negotiating to have it repaired with alum. checkerplate.
The reason the floor is spongey, is because it is wet chipboard, not plywood, sealed between the outer fiberglass sheet and the vinyl floor covering.
The only way to fix it will be to dismantle the floor and replace the flooring with a sheet of plywood, seal it, and cover it with the alum checkerplate.
When I get
mine back i will also be sealing the space between the frame and the checkerplate, so the stones dont lodge themselves in there.
Other than this and few niggly things we are happy with our cub supermatic escape.
To fix your immediate problem, you could seal the holes with resin or just silicon, but you will need replace the floor, as the wet chipboard will never dry out in between 2 sealed layers.
Cheers Pesty
AnswerID:
251945
Follow Up By: aargee - Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 at 20:08
Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 at 20:08
Pesty,
You're not joking are you? I can't believe they'd use chipboard in a camper, especially where there's a chance in coming in contact with moisture. Our Spacematic was new in 2005, can't get in touch with the oldies at present to confirm warranty details etc, as they are still the official owners. What is the warranty on them?
We may have to just try the seal it up trick and see how we go...
Thanks for your help.
- Rob
FollowupID:
513008
Follow Up By: Shaker - Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 at 23:07
Wednesday, Jul 11, 2007 at 23:07
Believe it or not, some cruising yachts were professionally built using craftwood as a core material in the decks as a composite GRP construction, with plywood inserts where
winches & tracks were bolted through the decks, needless to say it wasn't a raging success.
FollowupID:
513055
Follow Up By: Member - Pesty (SA) - Thursday, Jul 12, 2007 at 08:22
Thursday, Jul 12, 2007 at 08:22
aargee,
I havent seen it yet as its not pulled apart yet, but i have had a lot to do with timber and i would garantee that its chipboard, or maybe craft wood,
The warranty is 12 months, but i reported
mine at the end of the warranty period.
Its worth a shot to have a go at cub, you maybe able to cut a part price deal, but get onto it straight away, i would be very vocal in there showroom in your situation, sounds like a design fault, as they have changed to aluminium on them all as far as i can see.
The chipboard in this situation would be ok as the floor is
well supported underneath by the frame, and i suppose it was never designed to get wet.
Have laid many a house floor with chipboard flooring.
Cheers Pesty
FollowupID:
513078
Follow Up By: aargee - Sunday, Jul 15, 2007 at 21:46
Sunday, Jul 15, 2007 at 21:46
Well, I've done a bit of exploratory keyhole surgery, it appears that the construction is fibreglass 2-3mm, about 20mm of blue polystyrene type foam, then it seems to be plywood (3-4ply). The holes will be getting an epoxy fill treatment and we'll see how they go.
Thanks for all your inputs.
- Rob.
FollowupID:
513686