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OldWrench · 01-02-2018, 04:41 PM

After travel with a heavy snow load we are 1300 miles south and set up for snow birding.
Looking up at our ceiling we see a new gap between ceiling panels. It is only one panel. No wet spots we can find. The soft panel seems tight to the roof. What do you think is going on? About a third of the panel has pulled out of the center strip.
I am thinking of caulking the gap and call it OK. What do you think?
Thanks

cruzbill · 01-02-2018, 04:47 PM

I think even a careful caulker could create a heck a lot of mess. I'd sit on it until summer.

hdzcar · 01-02-2018, 05:57 PM

You can get some wider t-molding and no one will notice.
https://www.t-molding.com/t-molding-smooth.html

Dav L · 01-02-2018, 06:49 PM

A bit hard to tell from the pic, but that vinyl trim might be shaped like a "U" and snapped over the ceiling panel. If so, it might just be a matter of sliding it to close the gap. My Bounder's dashboard has that type of trim and that's how the gap gets closed.

FatChance · 01-02-2018, 07:25 PM

Quote:

After travel with a heavy snow load

What does this mean? Did you drive a distance with a lot of snow on your roof? How much? How far?

OldWrench · 01-03-2018, 06:08 AM

FatChance:
We left in 0 weather with ice and snow all over the MH. We had about 20 inches of snow on the ground but I am not sure how much on the roof while driving. It took a few days to melt off. Other damage was the bolt in the entry door broke in the cold and a cargo door latch broke while opening it in the ice. Brutal weather. I am not sure any of this has to do with the gap in the panel.

OldWrench · 01-03-2018, 06:10 AM

Dave L:
It appears the trim has channels on its edges that the panels slide into when putting the roof together. The trim is tight on one panel but the pulled away panel has left the trim. I might try sliding the trim as you suggest but it does not look like I can get both panels in the trim at the same time. I wonder what is shifting?

FatChance · 01-03-2018, 07:27 AM

If there were no water leaks, the weight of the snow flexing the roof structure seems the most likely cause since cold, by itself, probably could not account for this. I hope you come up with an easy and effective fix to whatever is going on with your coach.

Unplanned Tourist · 01-03-2018, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldWrench

We had about 20 inches of snow on the ground but I am not sure how much on the roof while driving. .

If you had 20 inches of snow on the roof as well, that's 2 inches+ of water. A lot of weight if you add it up.

Over 220 pounds in 30 feet.
Possible it flexed the roof enough to cause the gap to open.
Here's hoping it will snap back into place with a little massaging.
Happy Glamping.

Mudfrog · 01-03-2018, 08:11 AM

Just curious,, could there be enough snow/ice accumulation to cause an over weight condition that could damage the roof? This especially when the rig is bouncing along down the road.

Being from the south, i don't know for sure. I would think that it would be a good idea to clear any accumulation off the roof before hitting the road. Or, is this something that's just too tough to accomplish?

FatChance · 01-03-2018, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unplanned

If you had 20 inches of snow on the roof as well, that's 2 inches+ of water. A lot of weight if you add it up.

Over 220 pounds in 30 feet.

On a 40' coach, 20" of snow (2" of water) is almost 3500 pounds static load! Start bouncing down a rough road and the dynamic load goes up from there...

marjoa · 01-03-2018, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldWrench

It took a few days to melt off.

Me thinks the OP is really lucky the title of his post isn't, “Roof is caving in, Help!"

OldWrench · 01-03-2018, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldWrench

After travel with a heavy snow load we are 1300 miles south and set up for snow birding.
Looking up at our ceiling we see a new gap between ceiling panels. It is only one panel. No wet spots we can find. The soft panel seems tight to the roof. What do you think is going on? About a third of the panel has pulled out of the center strip.
I am thinking of caulking the gap and call it OK. What do you think?
Thanks

It seems some of you think the snow load is the culprit. I am not sure I buy that. Whatever happened the gap is there now. I have had no luck sliding the moved panel back towards the dividing strip. Is there a secret to getting it to move? The best advise I see in the thread is to slide the strip to try and grab both panels again. It is reluctant to move. Is it glued in place?
The other fix that seems logical is to buy a wider T strip and install it. I would have to cut the old strip out with an exacto blade or similar to replace it. I wish I knew more how the original roof was put together. I might contact my dealer who knows Thor well.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks
Pat

hdzcar · 01-03-2018, 05:42 PM

The ceiling panels are glued in place and the only purpose of the t-molding is to finish off (hide) the seaming of the joined panels. I think you have two options. Replace the ceiling panels or try the wider t-molding. Been there done that.