boler saggy roof fix

[Vivian L]

The roof on our boler has sagged through the years and now it's become a problem. The water now lays deep enough in the sag area that during a down pour it fills up deep enough to top the lip on our fantastic fan and "oops", now we have a leak. The fan has been well calked so a small amount of water is no problem, however, a downpour certainly fills up the sag./

Any ideas (simple ones please) on how to pin the roof back up where it belongs?
Bizzian

[Thomas G.]

You will need to force it back into position then add roof bows inside.

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...tml#post285111

[Vivian L]

Thanks Tom. I don't "do" fiberglass so I was contemplating having two aluminum strips made (I know someone) and putting them across the roof (inside?) to the side bumps, one on either side of the fantastic fan and bolting them on to hold the roof back up. If I put them inside, it won't matter because the spacer on our fan is inside and we're short!. If I put them outside, then they won't look as nice. What do you think?
Vivianh

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by Vivian Layne-Parkin

Thanks Tom. I don't "do" fiberglass so I was contemplating having two aluminum strips made (I know someone) and putting them across the roof (inside?) to the side bumps, one on either side of the fantastic fan and bolting them on to hold the roof back up. If I put them inside, it won't matter because the spacer on our fan is inside and we're short!. If I put them outside, then they won't look as nice. What do you think?
Vivianh

If you can do paper mache, you can do fiberglass - seriously. Once you position the aluminum rib, just lay the fiberglass cloth strips over it and wet with a paint brush dipped in the resin (with hardener). Lots of instruction on YouTube. Here is one:

Applying Fiberglass Fabric with WEST SYSTEM Epoxy - YouTube

[Vivian L]

Thanks Tom, I have never done paper mache, but I may try this!!
Vivian

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by Vivian Layne-Parkin

Thanks Tom, I have never done paper mache, but I may try this!!
Vivian

How To Make Papier-Mache - YouTube

[Vivian L]

I guess there isn't any craft that isn't on you tube? Thanks again.
V

[Thomas G.]

But seriously, the only quality way to reinforce the roof is with fiberglass matting and resin. To get bending strength you want thickness, so a bow that is 1 inch thick is many, many times as strong as one that is 1/2 inch thick.

Here is another good resource:

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ass-52498.html

[Roy in TO]

"Pop" the roof back up. Cut a piece of wood long enough to fit into the space and pad one side with foam or an old pillow. Then support that with one of the pickup truck cargo holders using a small amount of pressure (enough to keep it snug) whenever your trailer is in storage, especially with the snow in winter.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by Roy in TO

"Pop" the roof back up. Cut a piece of wood long enough to fit into the space and pad one side with foam or an old pillow. Then support that with one of the pickup truck cargo holders using a small amount of pressure (enough to keep it snug) whenever your trailer is in storage, especially with the snow in winter.

This would certainly be a cheaper solution. I think that in the long run you need to reinforce it.

2-in-1 Support/Cargo Bar

[Roy in TO]

That is a nice looking unit Tom.

[Ngrimm]

I'm sure there are other ways to do it but when I reinforced my sagging roof I found it best for me to first brush some resin onto the underside of the roof. Then lay out some 4 x 8-10" strips (or whatever size I can handle) fg mesh/mat etc onto a tupperware type container and brush resin over them. Then I use my brush and a plastic spreader to pick the pieces up and stick them onto the whetted roof surface without touching them with my hands. I just found it too messy brushing the resin overhead onto the mesh and I don't like it on my gloves since it sticks to everything. I used two to three layers. Btw I used a pole to support the roof first and fiberglassed around it. The little "hole" it left didn't seem to make a difference. I'm sure it will be better than new when you are finished!

[Donna D.]

You can also fix the sag problem from the outside. See this pic of Frederick's Fiberstream.

[Vivian L]

Thank you everyone. We are going to throw all the ideas in a bag, toss it and come up with something. Right now we are considering 3/8" square aluminum tubing inside (some fool suggested chrome - like that's not in the budget) bent to shape and bolted in. The inside of our boler is carpeted and I am sure I can come up with some trim to glue over the aluminum to look fitting for the "boogie boler".
I'll let you know come spring how it came out.
Bizzian

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by Vivian Layne-Parkin

........ Right now we are considering 3/8" square aluminum tubing inside (some fool suggested chrome - like that's not in the budget) bent to shape and bolted in. ...........Bizzian

Keep in mid that every bolt hole is a potential leak and a concentrated stress for the fiberglass hull.. There is something to be said for glassing the reinforcement to the underside.