Has Your Trailer Been In A Hail Storm?

[Cathy P.]

I am horrified by hail after being in a really, really bad storm years ago. I saw what it did to an entire town and it wasn't good. Found the insurance man with the phone off the hook! So, what will a hail storm do to a fiberglass trailer? I realize that windows themselves might be a separate issue and also other accessories but the fiberglass, itself, how does it fare? Thanks!

[David Tilston]

In Calgary, we get lots of hail. None of my trailers shows any hail damage.

[Jim Bennett]

What Dave said, we have been pummeled with hail and the trailer is fine. Or awning though, did not fair so well.

[David Tilston]

How was the awning damaged Jim?

[Jim Bennett]

When the stones hit it, it caused stress cracks in it that looks kinda star shaped, in that they radiate out up to 1/2" out from the center of the impact. This was two years ago, and it still works quite well, with a couple very minor drips. I understand there is a sealer available, but suspect it is much the same as I already have for seal sealing my tents, but have yet to try it.

[Ken C]

For me, in a traditional trailer, the protection was only as good as the weakest point, the plastic roof vents. Hail busted those out and let the rain in.

[Evan Friesen]

Here are a couple more responses regarding hail. Including my experience!

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f54/hail-56916.html

[Ian G.]

Originally Posted by Evan Friesen

Here are a couple more responses regarding hail. Including my experience!

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f54/hail-56916.html

Just what I was going to say my experience is there too.

[Donna D.]

Plastic parts on the roof, like vents, and even solar are at risk. But certainly not anything like Airstreams or other metal rigs!

[Cathy P.]

Sorry, I can't believe I missed that thread. We had a pop-up that was damaged and they replaced the roof and the thing was never right again. One of the units that I was considering was the Camplite since it has no wood to rot but I wrote them and they said with hail damage they would just put another sheet of aluminum over the damaged part and I got to thinking that since it is a bonded aluminum, they wouldn't have any other choice. We have experienced hail in every state we have lived in and I'm guessing with this unpredictable weather, we'll be seeing more. While I realize you can insure something, that doesn't eliminate the time and possible inferior work in trying to remake something. Thanks.

[Terry G]

I've been in a couple hail storms out on the Great Plains with zero damage. It's actually kind of fun. I open all the curtains and sit there watching the lightning and listening to the thunder. It can be a bit noisy in a a fiberglass trailer though. The best description I've heard is that it sounds like being on the inside of a corn popper.

[arlon]

I've been thinking about painting my roof vent cover with some truck bed liner just for when the next big storm comes. In West Texas it not if, it's just when..

[Ian G.]

Originally Posted by arlon

I've been thinking about painting my roof vent cover with some truck bed liner just for when the next big storm comes. In West Texas it not if, it's just when..

I installed a metal roof vent, no more broken plastic covers
Ventline V2110SP-24 Non-Power RV Trailer Roof Vent All Metal Lid w/Garnish Camper Trailer RV

[Alf S.]

Originally Posted by Cathy P.

I am horrified by hail after being in a really, really bad storm years ago. I saw what it did to an entire town and it wasn't good. Found the insurance man with the phone off the hook! So, what will a hail storm do to a fiberglass trailer? I realize that windows themselves might be a separate issue and also other accessories but the fiberglass, itself, how does it fare? Thanks!

Hi: Cathy P... Not as violent as a hail storm...but camping under a walnut tree with clumsy squirrels isn't recommended!!! The trailer did really well, the truck... not so. Had to get up in the night and move over some.
Here's a pic. of what a dead tree limb can do to the trailer roof. Didn't realize that it fell on the trailer till wash n wax time!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Cam A]

Originally Posted by Ian G.

I installed a metal roof vent, no more broken plastic covers
Ventline V2110SP-24 Non-Power RV Trailer Roof Vent All Metal Lid w/Garnish Camper Trailer RV

Anyone know of a metal escape hatch? (24 x 24, I think) and any reason not to use metal?

[Ian G.]

Originally Posted by Cam A

Anyone know of a metal escape hatch? (24 x 24, I think) and any reason not to use metal?

I think the only limitation to using at "Escape Hatch" would be the size. Finding a flat area 24'x24' on an egg roof would be a challenge.

There would be only two reasons not to use a metal roof vent, the first would be price, they are more expensive but if you calculate in the cost over a lifetime of replacing the plastic covers on the originals the metal is much cheaper. Cost is the reason I manufactures use plastic and nor metal

The second is they do not let any light in when closed, this feature may be desired or not. Where we camp it can be light outside for over 22 hours a day, this feature is ideal in these locations to help get a full night sleep.

[Cam A]

I have to replace the plastic escape hatch over the bed. I'd like to get a clear one for star-gazing; failing that, a metal hatch should last longer. Appologies for thread hijack.

[Byron Kinnaman]

I'll report my experiences with nasty weather including hail, dust storms, strong winds, snow, rain, etc. etc.
The only negative was the dust storm, everything in the trailer was covered with fine dust after a few hours hunkered down in less then 1/4 mile visibility dust storm. Nothing else have bothered the trailer.

[brendadave]

We had a nasty hail storm last summer that ravaged our garden, broke planter pots, destroyed the shingles on the house and garage.... Nothing wrong with the trailer.