Caravan DIY sites or help please!

Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 10:22
ThreadID: 66489 Views:9654 Replies:8 FollowUps:4
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Hi all,

Can anyone point me in the right direction please. I have a Coromal Seka and the roof needs to be re skinned. The ally skin on the roof has become "wavy" and since I have had my solar panels put on it has pulled part of the roof in. Water can now puddle on the roof skin.

So - Has anyone here ever re skinned a caravan roof? Is it to difficult for a reasonably skilled diy'er? Are there any caravan maintenance site or the like (have had a look on Google but couldn't find one). If anyone is local to Perth that has done such a job before and could give me some tech advice I would be stoked (and will pay for your time).

If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated. Only 67 days till we pack up and head off around Australia for a few years.

Thanks Guys.

Matt

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Reply By: Member - Rotord - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 11:28

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 11:28
Hello Matt

Coromal are in Forrestfield Perth , why not visit the factory and find out if they would do it , at what cost , and what is involved . One approach may be not to de-skin , but to skin over . Lot less work , minimal weight increase , increased stiffness and insulation .
AnswerID: 352136

Follow Up By: Maîneÿ [wa] - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 15:48

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 15:48
I think the existing alloy will be both up and also down from it's original and correct level, so putting a new alloy cover over the original will still have the original pushing up on it and in time probably will also be different levels again.

I would go see the manufacturer and get their advice.
However, don't walk into the 'office' - go chat one of the guys working 'out the back' they will be more receptive to having a chat and imparting their own knowledge, maybe will offer to do the job 'after hours' (Hint Hint) if prompted with the correct motivational thought process.

Mainey . . .
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FollowupID: 620373

Reply By: rager - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 11:35

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 11:35
Hello Matt.
Good luck with your van.

I have a Jayco Westport poptop where the roof sagged and the water leaked in the middle seam and destroyed the ceiling lining. I hope your Coromal is built better than the Jayco. Its "All Aluminium Frame" is actually made of wood in the roof, and there are only 3 slim finger jointed beams supporting the roof, which had cracked, causing the sagging.

I wonder if the waving in your roof is due to structural failure? I hope not.

In my Jayco the ceiling is glued to the insulation which is glued to the aluminium roof. I had to break off bits of ceiling piece by piece ansd it took hours to do the job. Removal of the roof would be a nightmare in my van due to this gluing and there would be a chance that if the ceiling was still there when I did it that the ceiling board would be cracked when the cladding was removed due to the amount of force needed.

But hopefully your Cormoral is built differently.

I wonder if in your case you could reskin over the old roof? Worth investigating.
AnswerID: 352137

Reply By: Matt(WA) - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 12:17

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 12:17
I will try and post some photos tonight to show you all what I mean.

I think that I will have a crack at it my self?

Matt

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AnswerID: 352141

Follow Up By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 12:35

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 12:35
Is there any way you can make an insurance claim?, and take it to a repairer, just a thought.
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FollowupID: 620352

Follow Up By: Matt(WA) - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 12:50

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 12:50
Dont think so Daza,

Its happened over time so unless anyone has any ideas I think I am up the creek on that one.

Matt

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Reply By: Warstar - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 13:13

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 13:13
Matt I strongly suggest you ring Coromal and if possible take it back to them for repairs.
After all they will know exactly where the supports are.
As you are going to do extensive touring in the van You may need to ask them to reinforce the roof.
AnswerID: 352147

Reply By: Warstar - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 13:13

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 13:13
Matt I strongly suggest you ring Coromal and if possible take it back to them for repairs.
After all they will know exactly where the supports are.
As you are going to do extensive touring in the van You may need to ask them to reinforce the roof.
AnswerID: 352148

Reply By: Member - Tony S (WA) - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 13:36

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 13:36
Hi Matt,

There is a mob in Canning Vale who did mine.

CARE-A-VAN
52 Mordaunt Circut
Canning Vale 6155
Ph. (08) 9256 3300
Fax (08) 9256 4300

They removed the old roof, laid ply on top and then put new roofing over the top so it had a slight bow to it. [Blocks underneath. Wether they put the blocks under or on top of the ply, didn't ask. However it is solid.]

Good job.

They are flat strap. Could be a waitng time.
Plead with them!

Tony
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AnswerID: 352152

Reply By: Member - Scrubcat (VIC) - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 14:21

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 14:21
G`day Matt,
Gee it`s windy here in Victoria today, I hope a tree branch doesn`t come down on my caravan.

Scrubby.
AnswerID: 352156

Follow Up By: Robert H (SEQ) - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 14:36

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 14:36
Oh Scrubby your not sugesting........................
Are you. tch tch tch :))
Cheers Bob
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Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 14:43

Wednesday, Mar 04, 2009 at 14:43
Matt,

maybe popping into Mandurah Caravan Repairs (owned by Hudsons Coromal) and having a chat with them could produce some clues.

I've always found them helpful and it might produce enough info to decide whether or not to do it yourself.

cheers

I'm glad I ain't too scared to be lazy
- Augustus McCrae (Lonesome Dove)

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