First 'Oops' - Garage is tougher than the end cap!

[ijustlee]

Just a small post-production design change, not to worry, won't cause a leak. If you're not collecting customizations you're not traveling enough!

[centennialman]

Sooooo sorry that happened. The upside is that you and the Mrs. are ok, happy and healthy. Call your insurance company, get it fixed and get back on the road so we can meet up one of these days

[cwf]

the only concern I would have is possible water penetration because the seam will have been flexed a bit... but, it would not bee too much of an issue where it is... just make sure the rivets lay flat.. or kink or if the sheets separate... of course you will have to use it to find out... =)

[cabinetmaker]

Hurts for sure...but doesn't look that bad in the picture. Always looks worse to the owner I know.

As others have said I would leave it and roll on down the road. Don't worry be happy as the song would say...It's just a small thing in reality!

Thanks for sharing...shows humility and we all benefit from others lessons. I will be more careful now for sure. We all get complacent over time.

As old Roy would have said...Happy trails my friend!

[flyerboy]

Rob,
Try some very soft, supple suction cups, BUT take your time! It's a crease, which means you'll have to pull evenly and and all together if using several along the crease. It appears that it is a "gentle" crease and the suction cups or an exterior dent removal tool like the old "Dent King" with removable hot glue might work to relieve the depth of the crease thus making it less noticeable.
I think with some patience and forethought the suction method will work well enough that it won't be staring you in the face each time you look that way!
Best of luck!
Bob
PS This is a voice of experience! Been there, done that!

[RFP]

Originally Posted by cwf

the only concern I would have is possible water penetration because the seam will have been flexed a bit... [snip]

Thanks, Channing, for your 'warning' about potential leaking... I took your comments seriously. Serious enough to get the ladder and a magnifying glass (yes, really), and very closely examine the dent and surrounding area.

I am encouraged to find that there is absolutely no deformation beyond the shallow dents visible in the photo. Neither of the seams appear to have been disturbed in the slightest. The smaller of the two dents is only a few thousandths of an inch deep, and the larger one is approximately 3/16ths. Again, there is zero deformation of the surrounding panels. The sealing of the panels appears perfect.

Needless to say, I'll be watching this closely. I'm much less agitated over this little speed-bump-in-my-Airstream-life than I was, largely because of the encouraging - and good natured - comments to my post. I try to approach life with grace and good humor... sometimes, I'm successful, sometimes not so much. Thanks for the encouragement, all!

Rob

[RFP]

Originally Posted by cabinetmaker

[snip]

Thanks for sharing...shows humility and we all benefit from others lessons. I will be more careful now for sure. We all get complacent over time.

As old Roy would have said...Happy trails my friend!

Thanks 'Maker, I appreciate your comments! As for 'humility,' this Airstream has opened all new doors to humbleness for me. For example: The gentleman that we bought the trailer actually delivered it to our driveway (he was amazing!). So, when I had to move the trailer out of the driveway, so that the cover people could erect the 28' X 21' eleven feet high carport, I managed to completely uproot my mailbox. Yep, in my first 20 feet of Airstream-towing, I popped my mailbox out of the ground and watched it tumble down the curb. I really got a running start at humility, there. Happily, it was (and I do mean WAS) a plastic mailbox, so the trailer was OK. But sheesh... I was so used to pulling our little Casita into and out of the driveway, I failed to completely appreciate what a difference six more feet could mean.

[RFP]

Originally Posted by centennialman

[snip] get back on the road so we can meet up one of these days

We would love that, Steve...

[John Woodrow]

I'd think that a good PDR gut could use a small hole saw to get access from inside. The access hole could be covered with a plug (chrome, plastic or painted to match). You'd of course have to decide which would be more objectionable.

[RFP]

Originally Posted by John Woodrow

I'd think that a good PDR gut could use a small hole saw to get access from inside. The access hole could be covered with a plug (chrome, plastic or painted to match). You'd of course have to decide which would be more objectionable.

Great suggestion, John... the big problem is that directly behind the 'oops' is the shower

[John Woodrow]

Originally Posted by RFP

Great suggestion, John... the big problem is that directly behind the 'oops' is the shower

In that case, I'd suggest a little clear silicone sealant to bed the plug.

[Cristobal]

Previous owner backed into his garage.

[Mollysdad]

Before I cut I'd check with a body shop. Some dent specialists have a vacuum pump that goes over the offended area, creates a good seal, and then pumps the air out until the dent is sucked back out. Maybe some dent repairman makes house calls. It may not be perfect since it's creased, but it will be a lot less noticeable.

[RFP]

Originally Posted by Cristobal

Attachment 283613
Previous owner backed into his garage.

Ouch... this makes me look like a serious underachiever!

[RFP]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Before I cut I'd check with a body shop. Some dent specialists have a vacuum pump that goes over the offended area, creates a good seal, and then pumps the air out until the dent is sucked back out. Maybe some dent repairman makes house calls. It may not be perfect since it's creased, but it will be a lot less noticeable.

Good idea.

So, I've talked to two PDR outfits, both with superb "Angie's List" reviews. The first told me that it would be between $1,200 and $1,500 and he was "90% sure" he could fix it (without a real definition of "Fix"). The second guy said $350 assuming he could make it better to my satisfaction, if he couldn't, there would be no charge no matter how long he worked on it. He said there's a hot-melt glue procedure that just might do the trick.

Hmmmmm

I'm thinking I'll give the second guy a shot at it. Heck, it doesn't have to be perfect, just "better" would be nice (and probably worth $350).

Do you think it's worth a try?

[dznf0g]

After working many dents with hot glue pullers and suction cups, I'd say that a major crease like that can't be done to my satisfaction. I would skip it and opt for panel replacement. You can try, but I wouldn't be happy.

OOPS, you're the OP with the little crease...not the last pic posted. Yours could be worked with the hot glue. It won't be perfect, but better. Sorry for my confusion.

[dbdreams]

Rob,
Just have Zipdee make you a rear window awning a few inches wider than standard, you will not see much of the little caricature crease and the awning comes in handy when the sun hits the rear of the trailer!