Rear Quarter Panels Shower Area

[mark-anna]

Just bought a 2007 Safari 20' with some rear quarter panel damage that is exterior to the shower area. I was told that the damage has been there for 8 years and no problems with leaking. To be sure, I will be removing the shower wall to see.

Questions:
1) is there an interior wall panel between the shower wall and exterior panel, or just the shower wall and insulation?
2) If the exterior panel is not leaking, can I push out most of the dent without disturbing the seam seal or cracking the aluminum.

[rmkrum]

You MIGHT be able to reduce the dent with a "Dent Roller' or similar tool. Be aware that the aluminum may stretch a bit and not be perfect.

Another method is to push from inside using a partially inflated basketball (or the like) as a cushion to prevent adding more dents. It may be a little too big to use the innertube, plywood, and shop vac trick...but have a look for that as well.

The seam may open a bit with this method, but since you will have the interior shower wall out, you should be able to re-seal the seam from the inside as well as the outside.

Search the forums for "Dent Roller". It's a handy tool to have, made by one of the forum members (whose name escapes me at the moment).

[sgschwend]

If you are going to take the inside apart, then why not replace panel or restore the panel. I would think if the damage is only in one panel then replace it would be the way to go.

[rmkrum]

He’s got damage (from photos) in at least two panels, possibly three...not gonna be cheap on replacement.

[sgschwend]

Looks to me that someone might have already pushed out the panels/frame.

This type of repair can be accomplished using an English wheel. With the panels off the frame can be straightened.

There are threads here showing this work.

[Camano20]

Welcome to the world of AS Safari 20's. Hope you enjoy your 07 as much as we have. It is a great layout for my wife and I. Maybe see you on the road. Mine came with a smaller dent in the front top panel, much smaller that yours but no leaks and didn't have to worry about putting the first dent in our baby. Many happy and safe travels.
Jerry

[mark-anna]

Camano, I think my wife used to live out your way after she graduated from WWU.

Once I get the interior panels out, I'll know how far I want to go with this project. I was quoted around $4000 per panel, before tax, so I'd really not like to go that route.

Might go for one of those Aerowood tools.

[mark-anna]

I'll be able to see this dent in person before the end of the month, when it arrives from Missouri. But in the meantime, I'm looking at all the options. I'd like to try repairing this area, instead of having it repaired.

I now see that there's a frame (rib) behind the seam of the 2 panels. Anyone heated this up and bent it back into shape?

Potential plan: Once I get the interior side opened up, I can drill out the damaged area rivets, roll out the skin back to shape, then heat up the rib and bend it back into shape and lined up with the rivet holes, seal everything up, and rivet.