Monday, July 25, 2011

ROOF RAILS REPLACED…THANKS TIFFIN MFG.

Monday, July 24 – We got into Service Bay #17 this morning at 7a.m. to have the roof rails replaced on our motorhome.

1-in-bay

This is the caps where the roof meets the sidewalls. They are made of fiberglass, as is the roof, and Tiffin has found they do not hold up and become wrinkled and could begin to leak. As a result, they are replacing them under their ten year structural warranty.

2aa-bad-rail

2a-bad-rail

All set up and ready to begin.
1-set-up

They begin by cutting out the old fiberglass rails. Surprising this fiberglass is not very thick. Probably only about a quarter inch thick. They just cut it out and peel it back like a banana.

3b-cutting-off-rail

3c-tearing-off-rail

Once the old is removed, they form the aluminum using a machine much like seamless home gutters are manufactured.

7-rail-maker

8-rail-coming-out-of-machin

New piece ready to be installed.
5-paul-holding-new-rail

6-thickness-of-rail

They then slide the new aluminum rails under the roof edge and over the lip of the wall. This is then screwed and glued into place.

All areas are then caulked and allowed to dry over night or longer, before painting.

13-complete-rail

12-complete-rail

11-complete-top-rail

We are being sent to a private contractor in town for the painting. Custom Paint & Body, owned by a former Tiffin employee, will be doing the painting. By going there, we were able to eliminate waiting time and get the job finished tomorrow. We also have a couple spots they are going to touch up while in the paint booth.

Marsha and Bella (our cat) stayed in the MH during this repair. Poor Bella. The grinding and cutting tool must have scared her to death. They do have a waiting room, but there are too many people with pet dogs that scare are tiny kitty. She hid under the bed in the MH and gutted it out.....LOL!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see ya'll back real soon. Have a great day!