149 replies to this topic

[Wallowa]

Brenda is also awesome and has been very attentive when

helping me on several occasions.

  Brenda sent me this response to the request I sent her and Stan:

 

"Are you having an issue with your roof?"   I sent them the link to this topic discussion on the forum: 

 

https://www.wanderth...nningwhy/page-1

 

 

Nuf said.

Edited by Wallowa, 24 May 2023 - 04:06 PM.

[Dirtroadsavant]

We have the same issue on our 2017 hawk flatbed. When I wash the roof with a long handled brush, the aluminum is so floppy that I have always assumed that there is no attachment to the frame other than where the tracks pinch it down..
John

[goinoregon]

since your yakima tracks are either screwed or riveted to the roof frame, i assume you could also screw/rivet the roof to other roof framing. once the holes are drilled ,  figure some sealant into the hole, and then rivet it down ??    that appears to be how my tracks, and solar panel brackets are attached.

go

[Wallowa]

We have the same issue on our 2017 hawk flatbed. When I wash the roof with a long handled brush, the aluminum is so floppy that I have always assumed that there is no attachment to the frame other than where the tracks pinch it down..
John

 

 

Yup...floppy is a good description....I am trying to figure out where I can place my "sand bags" for them to be effective....with two panels and 2 vents + rails, not much open space to configure them on....can't go under panels..and permanently affixing steel or aluminum bars on the top sheet would make the top too damn heavy for an old man like me!

 

Phil

[Wallowa]

since your yakima tracks are either screwed or riveted to the roof frame, i assume you could also screw/rivet the roof to other roof framing. once the holes are drilled ,  figure some sealant into the hole, and then rivet it down ??    that appears to be how my tracks, and solar panel brackets are attached.

go

 

 

yes...look down into the Yakama tracks/rails and you will see the screws, with a little white sealant at each screw. My FWC mounted 160w Zamp solid panel panel does mount to these rails with sliders inside the rail; my added 170w Zamp solid panel is mounted just outside the rails on provided mounting towers [with a special adhesive] that matches the height of the FWC panel and I added an aluminum "L" bar between the rails at the front edge of my 170w panel for support to and augment the towers.  Both panels are at the same height and slightly above the two vents but neither interferes with the vents.

 

Yes, one could screw the top sheet to the roof frame; but, in my case I would have to remove the panels to do that, find exactly where the roof support beams are, place screws with sealant and then, for me, worry about leaks. Where and how many screws to place would be a guessing game for me.  Water tight integrity is a priority for me.

 

Phil 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Phil you might have to place screws in the roof like

most of the rest of have on older campers.

 

The "screwed" down roof has been a good weather tight one

over all the years.

Frank

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Phil maybe you could give Marty a call at ATC for some other ideas.

They work on FWCs also.

Frank

[Wallowa]

Casa....agreed it seems like the only retro solution...retro is the key word; if FWC had properly secured the top sheet during construction all this would be a moot point...I will play with my sand bag approach...wonder if gluing a thin light weight material [strips or sheet] on top of the top sheet would stiffen it sufficient to stop the canning and still allow me to raise the top?

 

Too bad I don't drink single malts anymore; alternative method of sleeping...  

 

Phil

 

Will give Marty a jingle...thanks.

Edited by Wallowa, 24 May 2023 - 09:47 PM.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I considered using fiber glass battens (think sail battens) glued to the top, but decided to not pursue that approach.  It might work.

<snip>

I will play with my sand bag approach...wonder if gluing a thin light weight material [strips or sheet] on top of the top sheet would stiffen it sufficient to stop the canning and still allow me to raise the top?

<snip>

[Wallowa]

Good suggestion Sage....like "battening down the hatches"....will give it a look...thanks