Tree Branch vs. TT Exterior

[Hector517]

Traveling on a moonless night in South Texas, I mistakenly turned onto a dark county road leading to an unmarked dead end. In trying to turn around, the upper left side of my fiberglass exterior MicroLite 21FBRS scraped a large dead mesquite tree branch, causing a one square foot hole above a small window. To my surprise, I discovered the exterior is made of very thin fiberglass pressed onto Styrofoam, which is pressed onto thin fiberboard and then a thin interior cellulose material. It didn't take much of an impact to compromise the thin exterior shell. I wonder if a corrugated aluminum exterior is stronger. My question is: Can anyone suggest a temporary patch of the exterior damage before I take the RV in for body work?

[jgourlie]

eternabond tape is what I would probably use. I wouldn't even bother with the repair if it was my trailer, just roll with the eternabond

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by Hector517

Traveling on a moonless night in South Texas, I mistakenly turned onto a dark county road leading to an unmarked dead end. In trying to turn around, the upper left side of my fiberglass exterior MicroLite 21FBRS scraped a large dead mesquite tree branch, causing a one square foot hole above a small window. To my surprise, I discovered the exterior is made of very thin fiberglass pressed onto Styrofoam, which is pressed onto thin fiberboard and then a thin interior cellulose material. It didn't take much of an impact to compromise the thin exterior shell. I wonder if a corrugated aluminum exterior is stronger. My question is: Can anyone suggest a temporary patch of the exterior damage before I take the RV in for body work?

I would cut a piece of alum. that you can buy at any Lowes or hardware store. Get some either silver back tape or good duct tape and cover and seal that whole. If your just going to repair the hole you don't want any moisture getting in, Which it sounds like your going to do..

[Mr Havercamp]

You don't mention what year your Microlite is but I highly doubt you want your permanent fix to be a one square foot eternabond patch on the sidewall of a laminated trailer. Witch Doctor has the right idea for the temp repair.

Your sidewall has no fiberboard or cellulose material. Its 1/16" fiberglass (filon) laminated to 1/8" luan plywood laminated to 1" beaded Styrofoam laminated to 1/8" luan plywood, then the interior vinyl wall covering. Somewhere in there is 1"X1" square aluminum tubing.

It seems it did not stand up to the branch very well, but their is a thread going right now where people confirm it will stop a Grizzly Bear

I am sure there are good fiberglass guys around who could repair that hole and almost make the repair invisible, but what about the inside? The correct, and ideal repair method though is to have the entire sidewall replaced at the factory. Do you have insurance on it? Hopefully so. That's what the insurance is for so if you have it use it.

[youroo]

He has a 2014! You and I gave some input a while back when he ask about a "soft floor " in this unit. Youroo! !

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by youroo

He has a 2014! You and I gave some input a while back when he ask about a "soft floor " in this unit. Youroo! !

Thanks, I remember now................I don't remember a lot these days.

What did I do yesterday? Hmmmmmmmmmmm?

[Hector517]

Thanks, everyone. I don't have insurance on my 2014 MicroLite 21FBRS, so I will patch the boo boo with an aluminum square and Eternabond tape on both the inside and outside. This is my first TT and it has been a real learning experience. I think it will become my "ranch satellite office," and I will purchase a new one for more traveling and camping adventures. I now have a much better understanding of TT, and will ask the dealer appropriate questions regarding structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and interior construction. I truly appreciate the knowledge and experience of this forum's members, and will definitely pay it forward. Onward thru the fog!

[Hector517]

A college professor taught me that "the secret to success is to surround yourself with people much smarter than yourself." Thanks guys for all the advice you provide to us novices, greenhorns, and mechanically challenged! Go Dallas Cowboys!

[youroo]

Hector, a while back you said something about buying a Airstream, the trees treat Airstream the same as FR products! The repair will be a "Little " more $$$ though! You can have just as much fun in a FR product ! Youroo! !

[aceinspp]

Well one thing we are very fortunate in our area to have a very good RV repair service. Toured there shop earlier this year and I think they could actually build an RV at there facilities. Had a 5er there that got side swiped and they even built a new slide for it and when done the paint was awesome and one would never know it was in an accident. Hope I never have to use them but I will if I have an accident. Later RJD

[rracer5]

Originally Posted by Hector517

Thanks, everyone. I don't have insurance on my 2014 MicroLite 21FBRS, so I will patch the boo boo with an aluminum square and Eternabond tape on both the inside and outside. This is my first TT and it has been a real learning experience. I think it will become my "ranch satellite office," and I will purchase a new one for more traveling and camping adventures. I now have a much better understanding of TT, and will ask the dealer appropriate questions regarding structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and interior construction. I truly appreciate the knowledge and experience of this forum's members, and will definitely pay it forward. Onward thru the fog!

You mentioned no insurance?? Not sure about the state you live in but, usually when towing, the trailer is covered by the vehicle/truck insurance. If you have collision on the truck, maybe it's extended to the Microlite too??

[youroo]

Originally Posted by rracer5

You mentioned no insurance?? Not sure about the state you live in but, usually when towing, the trailer is covered by the vehicle/truck insurance. If you have collision on the truck, maybe it's extended to the Microlite too??

I hope you are correct about the coverage while towing, I have a lot of trailer Insurance that I need to Dump! Youroo! !

[wana65stang]

Originally Posted by rracer5

You mentioned no insurance?? Not sure about the state you live in but, usually when towing, the trailer is covered by the vehicle/truck insurance. If you have collision on the truck, maybe it's extended to the Microlite too??

Maybe not everywhere, but only liability coverage, not collision, is extended by tow vehicle in my part of the world.

[rracer5]

Originally Posted by wana65stang

Maybe not everywhere, but only liability coverage, not collision, is extended by tow vehicle in my part of the world.

Ahhh.....like I said, depends on your state & your kind of coverage.

[Jim in Halifax]

Poked a hole in my two week old Jayco a few years back.....Got some body fill and "red" putty and repaired the hole.....Then I put a decal over the damaged area....Cdn flag!!!!

[markb422]

Poked a hole in my new MH backing into the garage eavetrough. I picked up a fiberglass repair kit at the auto supply. It comes with feberglass material, resin and hardener and applicator. Made a quick fix with a little sanding and a touch of bondo. Finished it with a can of duplicolor and clear coat. Cannot tell it was there. Info is in case you are cheap like me.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by youroo

I hope you are correct about the coverage while towing, I have a lot of trailer Insurance that I need to Dump! Youroo! !

You better read your policy good, what is wrong with you, you know better, what will happen if it's sitting outside your barn and a another Tornado comes through, your car insurance. Or homeowners will not claim that, next time I see you remind me to give you a smack.

[Iwannacamp]

I don't know the trailer....any chance you could add another window in that spot or put in a larger to cover both?


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[Tiguan Tow r]

In Ontario, if you do not have specific trailer insurance and you are not attached to your vehicle when the "accident" occurs, you are on your own.

[4Daughters]

I live in Dacula. Do you mind telling me where the shop is in case I need a good one in the future? Thanks!!




"Well one thing we are very fortunate in our area to have a very good RV repair service. Toured there shop earlier this year and I think they could actually build an RV at there facilities. Had a 5er there that got side swiped and they even built a new slide for it and when done the paint was awesome and one would never know it was in an accident. Hope I never have to use them but I will if I have an accident. Later RJD "
__________________
2015 35 FT V-Lite 30WRLIKS Diamond Package
2015 Chevy 2500 6.0 4:10 gearing.
Days camped in 2015--46
Days booked for 2016--60 missed by 2
Days camped in 2016 58