Motorhome Roof Ripples

Roxpole
Roxpole Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited June 2018 in Motorhomes #1

We Bought a brand new motor home September 2016, and had a cover made to fit it.  When we took the cover off this Easter the complete roof had rippled.  When we contacted the dealer, we were asked to send photo's and their reply was "I have shown the pictures to one of our technicians who has said that the ripples on the roof are perfectly normal. The roof panels are not completely bonded and do flex so this is nothing to be concerned about."

I wondered if anyone else has had this problem, or are they just trying to fob us off?  It looks such a mess!!

Comments

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited June 2018 #2

    Many unbonded caravan roofs do similar

  • TonyIshUK
    TonyIshUK Forum Participant Posts: 296
    100 Comments
    edited June 2018 #3

    In theory The unbonded roof allows for thermal movement of the material to take place without moving the substructure (iie the ceiling!). 

    Our mohome roof is a flexible plastic material resembling decking you find on some sailing boats.  

    It does have one major flaw which is water can run between the materials if you have a leak, so tracing the source can be a problem.  We had to bite the bullet and lifted every vent , satellite fixing and roof bar fitting til we found the problem.

     

    Rgds

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #4

    I have never heard of this before, even so I thought the rippling looked excessive.

    peedee

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #5

    I really wouldn't worry too much about this, if watertightness is maintained it shouldn't be an issue. In all the motorhomes we've owned several have had likewise and the expansion and contraction due to temperature changes/direct sun has made no impact on integrity or value. Worry not I reckon but mention to dealer as you have and monitor closely!

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited June 2018 #6

    there are two (general) types of roof....the floating (aluminium?/plastic) type used in most caravans, and a more solid, single piece GRP type like we have....

    having had a perfectly flat immaculately finished GRP skinned roof, I would be disappointed (to say the least) if mine looked like that...

    ....as mentioned, this is a 'caravan' type roof process.....who made your MH?

    i go onto the roof of our van to clean it and have no qualms about being up there....I would be worried I could damage a roof as in your picture.. 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited June 2018 #7

    I would say that the "rippling" is excessive,a i our last motor caravan and our last two caravans have had GRP roofs capable of taking my weight for cleaning, the roof panel in the photo looks as if it was cut to large

  • Roxpole
    Roxpole Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited June 2018 #8

     Our Motorhome is a Marquis Majestic 175 which is an Elddis Autoquest  We bought it from Marquis Motorhomes, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.  When we contacted the service department, they asked us to email photos to them.  They replied that this sort of distortion is "perfectly normal".  They have not asked to see the van as there was no need.  We have contacted Elddis and are still awaiting a reply.  Still not happy about this!!!

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2018 #9

     Perhaps get a proffessional opinon? Some qualified mobile caravan medics do inspections and will give you a report which if adverse you could put to good use.

    peedee

  • allanandjean
    allanandjean Forum Participant Posts: 2,401
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    edited June 2018 #10

    Hi, first time I heard of this type of roof was when my service centre told me it was the reason they could not bond a solar panel to the roof.

    Related to your question, I use a service centre that is CC and C&CC approved and are approved warranty repairers for all major brands. They have no allegiance to a brand as they do not sell vans and I would see if there is similar that you could use to get an opinion.

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