Interior roof panels stapled into aluminum?

[BMVillines]

Interior ceiling panels in the slide are starting to come down. My guess is the light is too much weight while it's bouncing down the road. Has anyone else had this happen? I was surprised to see tiny staples in aluminum and the light mounted just to the panel, not any structural brackets. I plan on using some good adhesive to glue the panels back up, and using screws and washers into the aluminum to help support the weight better than the staples. Hopefully I can get the trim tape off and glued back on to cover the screw heads. Haven't checked yet to see if there is a way to get the light connected to any supports near it.

If this hasn't happened to you yet, heads up! We are 5 months into this brand new trailer. Interested to see what the rest of the 1st year gremlins brings our way.

[harley]

Buy some decorative rossettes (white plastic washer like )and white screws and space them evenly. will look good when done . I did this on another tt.

[KingFisher]

Why wouldn't that be fixed under warranty?

[BMVillines]

I'm sure it would be covered under warranty. After a few trips to the dealer already for other issues, I have come to the conclusion that I can do better work than the dealer. It won't take me two months to complete the job either. My guess is the dealer will either use self-tappers which will look terrible, or they will re-staple it and I will have the same problem in another couple months.


I'm considering the idea of getting a thin strip of aluminum (1 inch wide 1/16th thick) the depth of the slide. cover the aluminum with the decorative tape already there (hopefully I can get it off). Counter-sink some small machine screws and tap/thread some holes in the aluminum tube that runs the length of the seam. That should give support and cover the entire seam. I hope it will look like the factory did it and last forever. I'll admit I'm a little OCD.

[mark5w]

I'm sure you would do a better job than the dealer would.

[BMVillines]

Thanks Mark. I wonder if I could get a roll of that decorative panel seam tape from Crossroads? The dealer fixed the curved panel by the entertainment center and used a 1/4 round strip to hold the panel in that is a different pattern. Drives my wife crazy every time she walks in the trailer and sees it. Then I don't have to worry about ripping the tape when I try to reuse it.

[travelin texans]

Don't think the aluminum studs are thick enough to tap, they are pretty thin, I'd use stainless screws. I agree you will do a better job, the dealers don't give a rat's a##, as long as it gets out the door.

[BMVillines]

Good point! Screws it is. I've used a thread insert kit before, but that might be a little overkill. It will be nice to get this eye-sore fixed. I'll make sure I post pictures when it's finished.

[mark5w]

Here is a link for seam tape. I bought from them in the past for my previous 5er -Seam Tape - RV Paneling

[Kenny White]

I too, bought a 150' roll before I can not find it because it is obsolete.

[ewbldavis]

Bummer. Booger tape it

I'm with you on quality - I am sure whatever you do will be better than dealer or factory.