Roof problem

Campingcariste

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7
Hi,
I'm new to this forum but have owned a motorhome (or campingcar as we live in France) for 25 years. It's a Challenger 104 purchased new in 2001
The problem is with the roof which is a flexible sort of thing, to cope with temperature changes apparently, but ag the rear of the motorhome it is rounded and then joins the rar panel. This rounded section is showing signs of cracking, it doesn't appear to be leaking but it is very concerning, does anyone have any ideas?
PhilipWard
 
Campingcariste said:
Hi,
I'm new to this forum but have owned a motorhome (or campingcar as we live in France) for 25 years. It's a Challenger 104 purchased new in 2001
The problem is with the roof which is a flexible sort of thing, to cope with temperature changes apparently, but ag the rear of the motorhome it is rounded and then joins the rar panel. This rounded section is showing signs of cracking, it doesn't appear to be leaking but it is very concerning, does anyone have any ideas?
PhilipWard
Click to expand...
Is the rounded section plastic/fibreglass/metal? Are the cracks within the rounded section or where it joins the rear panel?
 
If grp its glassing cracks on the top gel coat, you can rub back and regel and must use a waxing agent to stop it being sticky, or after sanding a 2 pack acid etch then paint with a 2 pack polyurathane, this can be time consumming and expensive for you, the gel repair is cheaper if you can find a grp shp that sells small amounts.
Did this for a living.boat b.jpg
 
TJBi said:
Is the rounded section plastic/fibreglass/metal? Are the cracks within the rounded section or where it joins the rear panel?
Click to expand...
Hi, Thanks for your reply, the roof is polyester and the cracks are in the rounded section so above where it joins the rear panel. I will take a photo and post it (if and when it stops raining!).
 
trevskoda said:
If grp its glassing cracks on the top gel coat, you can rub back and regel and must use a waxing agent to stop it being sticky, or after sanding a 2 pack acid etch then paint with a 2 pack polyurathane, this can be time consumming and expensive for you, the gel repair is cheaper if you can find a grp shp that sells small amounts.
Did this for a living.View attachment 77260
Click to expand...
trevskoda said:
If grp its glassing cracks on the top gel coat, you can rub back and regel and must use a waxing agent to stop it being sticky, or after sanding a 2 pack acid etch then paint with a 2 pack polyurathane, this can be time consumming and expensive for you, the gel repair is cheaper if you can find a grp shp that sells small amounts.
Did this for a living.View attachment 77260
Click to expand...
Hi, Thanks, the roof is polyester like tge side panels although they of course are bonded o to a solid backing. I'm going to post a photo when it stops raining!!
 
Pending your photo, I can say that cracking of polyester on Challenger motorhomes is a known issue. You may find the following of interest:

www.routard.com

Problème sur casquette Challenger

Bonjour, tout nouveau dans le monde des camping caristes, je me retrouve dès le 2ème jour de l’achat avec un problème de casquette fissurée ! il s’agit d’un Challenger Magéo 290 de 2015 avec 13800 km au compteur. Quelqu’un a-t-il déjà eu ce genre de problème et comment s’en est-il sorti ? Merci...
www.routard.com www.routard.com


fissure dans coque camping car polyester

Bonjour à tous Je suis à la recherche de conseils pour réparer une fissure dans la coque en polyester d'un camping car (voir photo jointe). Cette fissure fait (...)
www.bricoleurdudimanche.com www.bricoleurdudimanche.com

There is also a YouTube video covering polyester repairs.
For me, the video started with a US English audio track, but this contains numerous errors of translation (including "gel coat" translated as "frost"!), so I went to the settings and changed the audio to the French original for better understanding.
 
Thanks I shall look at those tonight. Here are 3 photos I hope they are clear enough to see the problem. I've previously tried repairing the first cracks with fibre glass matting and resin but it wasn't really satisfactory. Ignore the painting I know it doesn't match it is just temporary.
 
Campingcariste said:
Thanks I shall look at those tonight. Here are 3 photos I hope they are clear enough to see the problem. I've previously tried repairing the first cracks with fibre glass matting and resin but it wasn't really satisfactory. Ignore the painting I know it doesn't match it is just temporary.
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20251202_152738.jpg20251202_152348.jpg20251202_152340.jpg
 
Hi Philip,

I'm no expert in these matters, but it certainly looks worrying due to the sheer length of the cracks.. Are you aware of any Challenger owners' association where you might be able to get advice if other owners have experienced the same issue? If you use Facebook (I don't), you might have a look at https://www.facebook.com/groups/176553652783707/

Tom
 
Polyester is a problem to fix, you could grind the crack and fill with aroldite then paint over with a 2 pack paint, you will have to use a acide etch primer.
 
TJBi said:
Hi Philip,

I'm no expert in these matters, but it certainly looks worrying due to the sheer length of the cracks.. Are you aware of any Challenger owners' association where you might be able to get advice if other owners have experienced the same issue? If you use Facebook (I don't), you might have a look at https://www.facebook.com/groups/176553652783707/

Tom
Click to expand...
Salut Tom,
Thanks again. I've found the group on FB and applied to join. The links you sent me yesterday relate it seems to a known problem with Challenger and Chausson that Trigano are away of but it is cracks appearing in the capucine section (the luton). I've yet to find anything on cracks at the rear end of the roof. As I think you can see on the photos the roof has lost its proper curved shape and the cracks run from left to right and not vertically.
Philip
 
Campingcariste said:
Salut Tom,
Thanks again. I've found the group on FB and applied to join. The links you sent me yesterday relate it seems to a known problem with Challenger and Chausson that Trigano are away of but it is cracks appearing in the capucine section (the luton). I've yet to find anything on cracks at the rear end of the roof. As I think you can see on the photos the roof has lost its proper curved shape and the cracks run from left to right and not vertically.
Philip
Click to expand...
Hope that the Facebook group is of some use. From what I can see, you haven't tried the CCI forum, where I guess there might be more Challenger owners than on UK fora.

Tom
 
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