damaged caravan

[Angela3]

hello there, we went to the Lake District this year for the first time and loved it, we had lots of wet weather and wind while we were there!
We stayed a week in the South Lake area and a second week in the North Lakes but it wasn't until we got home that we realised that during one particularly windy night under trees on site, that a branch or something had hit the front sloped part of the roof leaving a dent and piercing the skin of the caravan....not happy.
We have been on line and looked to see the best way of repairing the damage, the caravan was new when we bought it in 2008, an Abbey GTS 418, lovely van.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how we go about repairing the damage, we don't want to take it to a dealer as I'm sure they will say....off with the whole roof! we have never had any damp problems and don't want to have such a drastic repair for a small amount of damage.

 

[Gagakev]

Hi Angela, can you not get a professional repair done under your insurance?

Another alternative if it's not major and may only be a temporary repair would be to fill the hole with sikoflex source yourself a swift (Abbey) badge and sikoflex that to the area, but that would only look right if it is in a central position on the van, know of others who have stuck reflectors to the side of the van to hide smaller dincks.

good luck

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Angela,

Sorry to read of the damage. I think the most sensible thing to do is to take it to a caravan repairer and get a quote. It may not be as bad as you are anticipating. Just because you get a quote doesn't mean you have to use that particular company or the method they suggest.

Alternatively consider asking your local car repairer if they have a body shop they may be able to pull the dent out and seal the penetration. I have seen some quite fantastic work from a garage body shop in the Derby area on both cars and caravans.

What is certain the longer you do nothing the more likely water will get and start causing internal damage..

 

[Raywood]

Have to agree a professional repair is the best option as suggested. If you have not covered the hole though do it now or a lot of damage could occur before the repair. If it is a small hole a waterproof tape should work as a temporary measure.

 

[Trevormc]

I had a small repair done at a motor body shop repairers. It was a small dent and the skin broken, but this repair isn't noticeable at all. Filled smoothed and resprayed and a perfect paint match.

Trevor