How to Fix the Exterior of a Camper After a Rollover
If your camper has been involved in a rollover accident, it may have sustained extensive damage to its exterior as it rolled on the hard surface of the road and possibly crashed against a vehicle, guardrail or cement divider. As long as the damage is relatively minor, you may be able to fix it yourself. The most common areas damaged in a rollover are the rubber roof and the fiberglass siding. Each of these areas may be repaired instead of requiring replacement, depending on the severity of the damage.
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Things You'll Need
- Epoxy-based filler
- Medium-grit sandpaper
- Saw
- Router
- Interior core
- Wood glue
- Fiberglass siding
- Fiberglass adhesive
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- Clear coat
- Rubber roof tape
- Scissors
- Rubber roof cleaner
- Caulk
- Rubber roof sealant
Instructions
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Fiberglass Siding
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1
Fill any small cracks with epoxy-based filler. Sand the area so the filler is flush with the surface of the fiberglass exterior.
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2
Cut away any larger damaged sections with a saw, taking care not to cut into the interior materials of the camper.
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3
Use a router to remove any damaged interior materials. Use caution to remove as little material as possible.
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4
Sand the edges of the damaged area to prepare the area for the repair. Create an angle at the edges that tapers toward the interior of the repair for a seamless repair.
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5
Cut pieces of interior core to replace the damaged interior material you removed.
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6
Glue the core pieces in place and allow them to dry.
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7
Cut a piece of fiberglass siding to fit in the space you created, overlapping the tapered edge slightly.
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8
Apply fiberglass adhesive to the edges of the repair area on the tapered edges.
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9
Press the fiberglass patch into place to cover the hole created by the siding you removed.
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10
Sand the edges of the repair lightly to better blend the edges in. This makes the repair less noticeable.
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11
Paint the exterior of the camper, if necessary, to hide the patch.
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12
Apply a layer of clear coat to the camper to restore the shine. You may need to apply more than one layer. If you apply more than one layer, allow each layer to dry before applying another.
Roof Repair
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13
Identify all areas of damage to the rubber roof.
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14
Cut pieces of rubber roof repair tape to fit over any cracks or tears in the rubber roof.
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15
Apply the pieces of tape to the cracks or tears.
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16
Clean the rest of the rubber roof and allow it to dry. The roof must be clean before applying sealant.
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17
Apply caulk around the edges of the roof vent, air conditioner or other objects that protrude from the top of the camper. Allow the caulk to set.
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18
Paint on a layer of rubber roof sealant to protect the roof and hold the rubber roof repair tape in place.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If the damage extends into the interior structure of the trailer, you may not be able to make the repairs on your own.
References
- Photo Credit Andy Reynolds/Lifesize/Getty Images
