Community Forums

mellojello · 07-11-2013, 02:31 PM

Hi folks,
My husband and I are just starting out on this RV adventure. We found what we thought was a terrific deal...2005Phaeton...and as part of the purchase agreement the owners agreed to let us have a complete inspection. When we took it for the inspection, our inspector immediately got on top of the rig and within 30 seconds showed my husband all the hail damage and said it was a deal killer. The owners have contacted their insurance company and they have agreed to have our mechanic/inspector complete the repair work. Our guy has said that it will be better than when it came from the factory after he has completed the work, which entails replacing the whole roof. There were no holes in the roof just impact marks with fine spider lines radiating from the impact points. I thought I saw a couple drips of water on the floor when we went to see the coach the afternoon before, but it has been non-stop rain here for over a week. I discounted the drips because the owner had moved the slide in and out for us and that is just where I saw the water. The following morning when my husband drove it over for the inspection and turned a corner, the front right corner of the RV dipped a little, and a light stream of water came down the right front post. We still have no idea if there are more water problems. Hopefully our RV service center owner will be able to put our minds at ease.

We (me especially) are very nervous about the damage that might not be visible where water may have entered the walls, etc. since the hail storm took place nearly 3 months ago.

We don't want to miss out on a good deal but would like some feedback from any of you who may have had roof hail damage and did the roof repairs take care of any water problems?

tomwalt · 07-11-2013, 02:46 PM

Welcome.
Just my opinion, but there are lots of good used motorhome deals out there without roof damage.

jfran304 · 07-11-2013, 02:49 PM

Welcome to IRV2.

If insurance is going to pay to replace the roof I would take it back to the Tiffin factory at Red Bay, AL and have them do it. They will also inspect it for any water damage. Tiffin has a good reputation for standing behind their work.

Check out the Tiffin RV Network for more information.

Tiffin RV Network

Jon

Bruce C · 07-11-2013, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfran304

Welcome to IRV2.

If insurance is going to pay to replace the roof I would take it back to the Tiffin factory at Red Bay, AL and have them do it. They will also inspect it for any water damage. Tiffin has a good reputation for standing behind their work.

Check out the Tiffin RV Network for more information.

Tiffin RV Network

Jon

From NH. I agree with the above poster. Good luck.

MSHappyCampers · 07-11-2013, 03:27 PM

Welcome to IRV2! It's great to have you join the gang!

Boy, that's a tough call on the roof damage! I guess it depends on how much you trust the RV tech. At the very least, I would get some kind of written guarantee from him that this will solve the problem!

FWIW, you will get much better responses to your questions if you post them over in the specific areas of the forum. Not many folks hang out here in the Welcome area.

Hope you make the right decision! Enjoy the forum.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

rovinredneck · 07-11-2013, 03:31 PM

I hadn't had my 02 chateau very long and before i had shelter for it, I watched a terrific hail storm beat the heck out of the roof...I took it to a RV repair shop and was told I had lots of damage. I called my insurance gal and she sent an appraiser to the shop to look at it. He agreed that it needed replacing. The ins co covered all but the $250 deductable.The total bill was 11k which included replacing alll the decking with 3/4" plywood. I'm happy, momma's happy and the rv has a new pole barn to stay dry.

**JohnRR** · 07-11-2013, 07:31 PM

It's your call but sometimes it's better to trust your instincts. If I were to have the roof replaced I'd opt for the factory even if it is a bit more of a hassle up front.

historyljc · 07-12-2013, 12:16 AM

Welcome to forum. So far I've never heard of a roof replacement that wasn't done at the factory. If nothing else, Tiffin will send a driver to take the coach to Red Bay for repairs and bring it back to the dealer when it's done. I've got a friend that had the roof replaced on his Zephyr 4 years ago (he drove it under to low of an underpass) and he still driving it today with no problems.

Mr_D · 07-12-2013, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by historyljc

So far I've never heard of a roof replacement that wasn't done at the factory.

As long as you've been around here I'm surprised at that statement. I've seen quite a few people saying they've had the roof replaced/repaired at local shops over the years. Now, if you're talking only molded fiberglass roofs then I'd have to agree as the factory would be the only one with the molds to make a new one and you sure wouldn't want to pay to ship one to a shop that was out here in WA!

Medico · 07-12-2013, 07:55 PM

Welcome and glad to meet you!

If you trust the inspector, let him look and tell you what he thinks. Beyond that just look in every where you can gain access to.

cb1000rider · 07-13-2013, 10:14 AM

If it's really better than new, I'd bite.. Almost every used RV that I look at hasn't been kept up with in terms of roof maintenance. It's the first thing we start on when we buy a new (used) one...

If there were actual leaks from the roof, that's a different story.. That's what I'd want to know.