Lil'Snoozy owners : please contact me

[AMSCRAM]

I have a serious problem with my new Lil'Snoozy. Thanks, Mike AMSCRAM@HOTMAIL.COM

[cpaharley2008]

Please let us know some of the details, maybe something common with other trailer types.

[Ken C]

Are you talking about plumbing, electrical, an appliance? There are some very good troubleshooter members in the forum.

[Old Man Snoozy]

Hey Mike,
Didn't know of any problems you were having. If you contact us we will take care of it immediatly.
Alan
Old man Snoozy

[Randy Hagen]

This is a strange post- if someone is having a serious problem with their trailer wouldn't they first contact the manufacturer and try to get it resolved before posting??

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Randy Hagen

This is a strange post- if someone is having a serious problem with their trailer wouldn't they first contact the manufacturer and try to get it resolved before posting??

Do we have any reason to believe that the O.P. hasn't already done so?

Francesca

[Mike Magee]

Do we have any reason to believe anything at all, based on one cryptic post?

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

Do we have any reason to believe anything at all, based on one cryptic post?

Make that two cryptic posts, if we include the one from the manufacturer...

I think it's safe to believe that there's a problem of some kind...hopefully we'll be informed of what it is when the time's right!

Francesca

[AMSCRAM]

Originally Posted by AMSCRAM

I have a problem with my new Lil'Snoozy. Thanks, Mike AMSCRAM@HOTMAIL.COM

I would like to thank the Lil'Snoozy owners that took the time to contact me.
My brand new Lil'Snoozy has a 3"x2" laminate separation at the center of the top section. The top layer of the laminate has been lost. I have been offered a patch fix by Lil'Snoozy.
My concern is the integrity of the patch and how long it will stay in place.
I am also concerned about the separation continuing and spreading.
Is the patch detracting?
I can only get this sort of information from Lil'Snoozy owners with the same experience. Thanks, Mike AMSCRAM@HOTMAIL.COM

[Ken C]

Are you talking about the interior Foam type material delaminating from the fiberglass or the fiberglass shell itself? Thanks and good luck with your fix.

[AMSCRAM]

The area is the outside center of the roof and seems to be the shell. I am not an expert on the correct terms. I am concerned about water possibly getting between the layers and freezing.

[cpaharley2008]

I was not aware that molded fiberglass shells had laminate sheets impregnated within the fiberglass? Perhaps I need some education on how a molded shell is manufactured?

[ColoRockiesFan]

Mike, can you post a photograph of the problem area? That would be a big help.

[Terry G]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I was not aware that molded fiberglass shells had laminate sheets impregnated within the fiberglass? Perhaps I need some education on how a molded shell is manufactured?

If I remember some of the stuff posted about the Lil' Snoozy, they're using a different process than the other manufacturers. I believe they have a core of some sort of insulating material between the fiberglass surfaces. De-lamination would be a pretty serious problem.

[Ken C]

Yes, Alan or Nick described it in the archives.

[LiL Snoozy]

For the few members of this forum who do not know me, my name is Nicholas Smoak. I am the owner of Smoakin Concetps Composites and the creator of the Lil Snoozy. I designed the laminate schedule (the fiberglass) for the Lil Snoozy. I am also a recognized authority in the Flexible Membrane Vacuum Infusion technique.

I would like to thank Mike (AMSCRAM) for posting his concerns on this forum giving me the opportunity to impart my knowledge and give advise. As I have assured Mike, this blemish, in no way affects the structural integrity of his camper. This is also not unique to the Lil Snoozys, it is a common issue with any fiberglass construction called “Alligatoring” See this website for an in-depth look (alligatoring | FiberglassBlog.com

Simply put, “alligatoring” is a wrinkle in the gel-coat. We all know gelcoat is simply a colored resin, with no structural importance. It is sprayed on and allowed to dry before any fiberglass is applied. In a vacuum infusion process, this wrinkle can partially fill with resin causing a color difference and an alligator skin like appearance. Notice in the picture, the darker color. This is resin that has penetrated the gel-coat. (we tint our resin with black pigment in order to see it flow during the infusion process) Notice also the absences of any fiberglass or coring. This is because alligatoring does not affect the laminate.

To fix this blemish there are a number of methods. The method I will use is to mix up a putty using tan gelcoat and cavasil(a fiberglass powder). This produces a substance similar to bondo in consistency but the exact color of the camper. Also using gelcoat as the base will guaranty proper bonding. The repair site will be sanded and wiped with acetone and the putty applied. After it has cured, I will sand and buff the area. The patch will be nearly impossible to see. (If anyone is interested I will explain in more detail and post pictures on how to repair spots like this)

Once again, if anyone has this issue it is NOT a structural issue. Many of you know my reputation with my campers, I stand behind my product. If I had any thought at all that this was a serious problem, I would have been on the road immediately to fix the problem personally. I have, however, been in contact with Mike and made arrangements to travel to his home to fix this blemish over our Christmas holiday.
I hope everyone is having an enjoyably Holiday Season!!

Nicholas Smoak

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by ColoRockiesFan

Mike, can you post a photograph of the problem area? That would be a big help.

Is the picture in the preceding post of the bad spot on the O.P.'s Snoozy?

If not, I second the request to see a pic of that, and also if possible a wider shot showing its location on the trailer...

Francesca

[LiL Snoozy]

That is the picture the original poster sent me. To my knowledge (Mike correct me if I am wrong) the spot is on the top of the camper.

[AMSCRAM]

This is the picture I took of the area on my Lil'Snoozy.
I think we have a definitive line of expert information and I look forward to many years of camping. The Smoaks (father and son) are great to work with and their enthusiasm is reflected in the Lil'Snoozy camper. It sounds like the repair will be in good hands. Thanks, Mike and Rosalie

[Ken C]

Sure sounds like an easy fix. I'm sure Mike can sleep easy now. Do these wrinkle's in the gel-coat leave the factory, or do they surface later, as the trailer is on road after use? Would an owner keep an eye out for them? You know how tough these trailers are with decades of us. Thanks.