dented roof panel, with popped seam, Hard Fix??

[dkutz]

We went and and looked at a 65 globtrotter today that has what looks to be a dent in the roof that maybe was caused by something falling on the roof. It seems to have popped a seam. Is this an easy fix? Can it just be pushed out, re riveted and sealed, or would the panel need to be replaced/patched?

Thanks

[dkutz]

well I don't own it, and we went and looked at it in the dark (couldn't wait) last night sooooo.

[bryanl]

Popped rivets often indicate significant problems. Dents can often be pushed out but once aluminum stretches it stays stretched. Creases won't go away either.

What I'd worry about is the ribs getting bent. Does the inside show evidence of the impact?

To see some dents, check out Dave's trailer
http://sierranevadaairstreams.org/me...m/gallery.html

We are trying to figure out how to get a new rib shipped in as one was broken. The others can be 'adjusted' to somewhere near where they should be. The front roadside dent cleaned up pretty well except for the gash near the bottom. The front top dents also pushed out fairly well.

I guess a lot just depends upon how perfect you want the result to be.

[dkutz]

thanks for your help. We just got back after looking at it in the light, and its a mess. Looks like maybe a tree fell on top,of course right on a rib in the middle of the trailer. The roof is a wavy mess. So the search continues.