Community Forums

03Dolphinlx · 04-18-2010, 11:54 AM

I was just on the roof of my 2003 Dolphin LX and I noticed that the fiberglass roof laminate is separating on the drivers side. It is loose from the rolled edge 1-2 feet back in several large places. Has anyone else experienced this??? I assume I could take the metal edge off the side to expose the edge, then lift up the thin fiberglass roofing material and squirt glue into the void to correct this??

kennersonf · 04-18-2010, 05:51 PM

Welcome to the club. My roof is doing the same thing, only it is doing it along both sides of the motorhome from the front to the rear. I took mine to someone to look at it and they said there is nothing under the corner for the fiberglass to reattach to. They said there is a gap between the sidewall and the roof and the curved fiberglass covers this space. I was told National ran wires down this opening. I have the original brochures and one of them shows a picture of the wall to roof construction. And yep, the fiberglass bends over an empty space. Nothing underneath. I posted this concern in the past and several people responded saying their motohome is doing the same thing and they are not worried about it. However, I'm a little concerned and am carefull not to step or push too hard on the delaminated area. I plan on coating it with elastomeric RV roof coating and bought some elastomeric tape to repair any cracks that might develope. The right way to fix it is to remove the top side rails and reattach the fiberglass. I would never try it myself and I have not gotten a cost estimate. My guess is it would be very expensive. Let me know what you do.

kennersonf · 04-19-2010, 11:23 AM

Here's an update to my earlier post. I called McBrides RV repair in Chino today regarding the delamination. I was that in all likelihood moisture has gotten underneath the fiberglass and caused the delamination. I was told it can be repaired but an estimate of cost could not be given until they look at the coach. It depends on the severity. I have a trip planned next week so I'll take it in for an estimate during the first week in May. I want to get this fixed once and for all. I have a nine week trip planned starting in August and I don't want any major problems on the road. I'll post my findings when I take it in.

WSRG · 04-22-2010, 07:57 PM

I've been on the roof of several National RV's and have noticed that ALL of them had the same problem that you are describing. My 2005 Sea Breeze is the same way. I have had the coach for a little more than a year now, and the "problem" has not gotten any worse. I also noticed that the main wood part of the roof [from the center of the roof to within about 8 inches of the curved edge] seems to be at a slightly lower level than the area where the roof curves over the side. This seems to me that it would kind of force the fiberglass to delaminate from the wood that is close to the edge. I decided to just keep an eye on it to see if it gets worse. I believe the labor to repair this condition would be monumental, sooooo.....we'll see what happens.

Bill

Richard S. · 04-22-2010, 08:09 PM

I had a 2001 SurfSide and now have a 2007 Seabreeze and that condition is normal. I checked many coaches on my last visit to National RV summer of 07.
The condition existed on roof assemblies that were waiting to be installed.

Jmattioli · 06-10-2010, 08:21 PM

I have a 2004 Dolphin and it has the same as described above on both sides. It might be to allow for expansion and contraction. I don't know but i believe it is normal as it seems to be a common thing on National RV fiberglass roofs