Repair Rib or Leave it?

[severin]

Hi guys.

We're about to put in the interior panels of our 1967 Trade Wind.
THer must be a sprung door at our trailer at some point.
So the rib close to the door is slightly bend –*about half an inch.
Would you repair that? And how?
Or would you leave it as it is?

Here are som pics?

THanks.
All the best from Germany.
Severin

[severin]

here you go:

[Aerowood]

Personally I would repair it. The aluminum the ribs are made of is pretty soft and the contour can be restored quit easily. Remove the skin rivets that are common to the bent rib and hammer and dolly the damage out.

[Bubba L]

We had the same issue on the 55 and did exactly what Aerowood recommended. Worked out well and wasn’t difficult. Good luck

[severin]

ok. Thank you!
I kind of hoped you guys would say: Leave it! ;-)


How exactly are you doing it? The rib is also bend together a little bit.


Thank you! ALl the best, Severin

[Aerowood]

It’s kinda hard to explain, using a dolly block or a bucking on the concave portion hammer the opposite side flat.

With the frame dented don’t you have a dent in the skin?

[r carl]

Do you know someone that could straighten it for you?