Side Skirt (sometimes referred to as J-panel) repair.

[007matman]

I know this is a long shot, but was hoping there was someone who was successful with this repair.

I recently bought this camper used with some cosmetic damage. The previous owner said someone had parked a lawn mower next to the camper and he didn't see it before he put the slide out. The slide went over the mower but the handle got caught and bent one end of the J-panel out on one side. It's not a sharp bend, but it is pushing outward some probably about an inch on the left side.

Anyone have experience making this type of repair without replacing the whole panel? If so, would you have a tip or trick to use? You can see the bend in the sheet metal.. it's long and diagonal over the spread of about 5 feet.

[dagst1]

Check out this thread :https://www.crossroadsowners.com/for...ide-15942.html

[007matman]

Originally Posted by dagst1

Check out this thread :https://www.crossroadsowners.com/for...ide-15942.html

Thanks. I was hoping there was a way to bend it back and flatten it but maybe I'll need to go that route instead.

[sjk1998]

You may want to try having a paint less dent repair shop take a look at it. A friend of mine brushed a stump with his camper an put a 5” crease in his lower rear panel and went this route and it turned it fantastic and only cost him $90.00 and 45 min to have it repaired.

[007matman]

Originally Posted by sjk1998

You may want to try having a paint less dent repair shop take a look at it. A friend of mine brushed a stump with his camper an put a 5” crease in his lower rear panel and went this route and it turned it fantastic and only cost him $90.00 and 45 min to have it repaired.

Thank you. I'll call around.

[007matman]

Here's photos.. there is someone calling me back. He wasn't real sure he could do it.

PXL_20210324_220444127.jpgPXL_20210324_220428747.jpgPXL_20210324_220407737.jpg

[660catman]

I don’t see your photos but I metal finished mine with a body hammer and a piece of railway tie. Forgot to take pictures before repair and I’m out of town now so can’t post a finished pic. Bodyshop finished it off with a bit of glaze and painted it for free as my wife works there.

[Lloyd]

Originally Posted by 660catman

I don’t see your photos but I metal finished mine with a body hammer and a piece of railway tie. Forgot to take pictures before repair and I’m out of town now so can’t post a finished pic. Bodyshop finished it off with a bit of glaze and painted it for free as my wife works there.

007matman's Pics are there. I can see them.

[007matman]

Originally Posted by 660catman

I don’t see your photos but I metal finished mine with a body hammer and a piece of railway tie. Forgot to take pictures before repair and I’m out of town now so can’t post a finished pic. Bodyshop finished it off with a bit of glaze and painted it for free as my wife works there.

Did you remove the panel first? I'm not afraid to do that if I need to.

[660catman]

Mine was the left panel ahead of slide. It screwed into angled panel that went to the front. At the back behind slide there was three screws of which two went through the rubber seal. With the screws removed, panel came off as it just slid into upper side panel. Mine is not the fibreglass sides so that make make a difference on how it comes off.

[660catman]

Originally Posted by Lloyd

007matman's Pics are there. I can see them.

This is what I see on my phone. I’m not near a computer.
IMG_3724.jpg

[660catman]

Originally Posted by 660catman

This is what I see on my phone. I’m not near a computer.
Attachment 4799

Geez, I don’t see my own photos!!!!

[007matman]

Originally Posted by 660catman

Geez, I don’t see my own photos!!!!

Try hitting the three dots in the upper right and selecting "view in browser".

[007matman]

Originally Posted by 660catman

Mine was the left panel ahead of slide. It screwed into angled panel that went to the front. At the back behind slide there was three screws of which two went through the rubber seal. With the screws removed, panel came off as it just slid into upper side panel. Mine is not the fibreglass sides so that make make a difference on how it comes off.

Ok. I had a Rockwood with fiberglass sides and had to remove a panel on that camper. If this one is the same way, you remove the screw cover from the black trim. Under that are screws that go through the black trim and the sidewall (and a lot of Butyl tape). There is some sealant to remove but then the panel basically will fall off. I'm hoping this camper is the same way.

Only thing I'm worried about is that kitchen door. I'd rather not remove that but I probably will need to.

Anyone know if what I have above is basically the same on this camper? Anything special I'd need?

I think I'll need;

Butyl tape
Body hammer
Pro-flex RV clear
Something flat to hammer the panel out on.

Any tips or tricks for flattening the panel?

[660catman]

Ok, I see them now. I don’t think your panel will be easy like mine. I’ve never done one so my advice isn’t much good to you. But I’m sure it involves a whole lot of sealant and join is under that transition strip.

[660catman]

Panels are so flimsy it’ll be hard to straighten on the camper. It needs to be hammered and dollied in which the dolly needs to be heavier than hammer you’re using. At least with mine I had panel on flat surface and rolled a 10” piece of railway tie on it. Once straighter I hammered it with tie being my dolly.

[Baldeagle]

Did the same thing to mine, also with a lawn mower. Snapped the aluminum frame behind it so have left it for now. The cables for my slide attach to it but damage is below the coach body so essentially mine is cosmetic.