Bent roof

[zana]

Hi,
I bought a new Hawk and one of the first time I used it, I forgot to open one of the latches and I bent the roof. :-(
Any idea on how to fix it??
Thanks!

 

[MarkBC]

Can you post a couple of photos of the damage -- so we can see what it looks like?
I won't be any help...but others probably can give advice if they know the exact nature of the problem.

And my condolences.

 

[billharr]

I put the post below on the other thread you commented on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That will buff out.
.
.
.
I backed out of my side RV pad with the top up (2002 Hawk). Hit the Hawk back roof with the 2x6 on the roof of my house. It was sharper and a deeper bend than you have. I also bent the hinge on the lift panel. Boy was I mad at myself.

Repaired by doing this. I have some large "C" clamps, put a 2" sq steel tube cross the top. Used a 16" "C" clamp under the bend and on the 2" tube. Slowly tightened the "C" clamp until the bend was touching the 2" tube. When I loosed the "C" clamp it still had a small bend. I put a spacer under each end of the 2" sq tube and tightened the "C" clamp going a little over what would have been straight. Loosened and needed a little more, so [SIZE=14.3999996185303px]tightened [/SIZE]just a little more. I got it almost straight and the hinge also pulled straight. Has to patch a small crack in the lift panel with a sandwich of alum sheet and pot rivets. Not the end of the world, but you will always see it when others will not.

Bill

 

[zana]

Here you go. It's not a lot of damage, I think, but the camper is brand new... :-(

 

[fish more]

Trade it in !! I hate when stuff like that happens !!

 

[billharr]

Ouch, a one piece roof. Not sure you will ever get the wrinkle out of the top. If does not look that bent from the picture. Does is close tight? If it does I would just put a little sealer where the trim has pulled away, the soft side is just behind the trim.

Unless you want to tackle a big job you might want to talk to FWC if you want it perfect again. Trim would have to come off, soft side pulled off in the area and inside pulled off to get any backing behind the top to try to straighten the wrinkle.

 

[craig333]

Well stuff happens. Mine were when it was fairly new also.


Fortunately I haven't backed into a fire hydrant yet.

 

[bsharp007]

I did the exact same thing, it was dark and I missed one of the latches. I pushed much of the damage out manually from the inside and pretty much forgot about it. As long as the top seals and closes properly.
I think I even asked a body shop repair and was told it wouldn't be a cheap fix.

 

[zana]

So is it OK to hit the roof from the inside to straighten it? No risk of damage?

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Don't know about that IMO.You might hurt the headliner.
A few years ago I forgot to unlatch a rear side one and the roof got caught on the awning mount I have above the rear door.
I tried every thing on site to get the lip of the trim freed from the mount.The last resort was to make a small cut in the lip and break a small section of the trim.
Still works the same just a cosmetic thing.
Bill has probably the best solution, just caulk the seem and remember to UN LATCH all next time.
Frank

 

[W6USA]

Before you attempt the repair yourself, you really should get in touch with the factory to see if they have any suggestions They have straightened roofs for folks that did the same.

 

[zana]

I did, they said that they can straighten it (although it won't be perfect). It is just difficult for me to try drive up to California.

 

[fish more]

Good time to come to the Meadow Lake rally ?

 

[jha6av8r]

I did, they said that they can straighten it (although it won't be perfect). It is just difficult for me to try drive up to California.

They make deliveries to CO and WY all the time. Maybe you can arrange to meet them along the route for pick up and return. It's their truck and driver.

 

[highz]

It's still a long drive, but I think the CO dealer does some repair work. Don't know about the WY dealer. Might be worth calling them to find out.

 

[jcfly]

Can't really tell the extent of the bend you put in there, but I wonder if body repair tools would do the job. I mean one person inside holding a metal block against the roof while another hits from above with a rubber mallet. Tough if behind the roof panel though.

 

[zana]

Thanks everybody. This forum is awesome.