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Old 03-18-2022, 04:15 AM   #1
simoesxp
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Default Front shell damage - how bad is this?

Looking at a TM, can anyone tell me how bad this is? It looks like the front shell corner was hit causing water to leak. The corner is secured with tape at the moment and this is what the shell looks like underneath. How easy is to re-solder/fix the shell? Thoughts?
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Old 03-18-2022, 08:54 AM   #2
Bill
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Ouch! Is this your TM, or are you considering buying it? What year is this TM? What model? Where do you live?

The bag seals look messy, but they can be replaced. If it is an older TM with wood wall framing, the problem may be more serious.

Just so you know, TMs are built almost entirely with aluminum (no steel), so soldering is not possible. As a practical matter, welding isn't possible, either. And unless this is a brand-new TM (doesn't look like it), the entire shell cannot be replaced - doing so would be costly enough that the insurance company would total the trailer.

So in a practical sense, your only choice is a mechanical repair. The real question is - what does it look like under the blue tape? Can you peel off the tape, and then look into the joint from outside? We need to see how the sidewall framing is attached to the front wall framing, and if there is major damage in that area.

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Old 03-18-2022, 09:32 AM   #3
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This happened on my 2002 aluminum framed TM, so this one may be different.

I suffered a separation of the wall from the roof a couple of years ago as I was doing some work. It turns out that the wall is secured to the roof with large (2"x#6?) screws. I first removed the edge molding from the affected area. Then I secured the wall to the roof using some bar clamps. Then, starting at one end only so that I wouldn't just drop the wall, I removed the screws from the top, tightened the clamp a little to reseat the wall to the roof, drilled new screw holes, then inserted new stainless screws.

NB: because aluminum reacts chemically with stainless, you must coat each stainless screw with silicone or other sealant.

If the wall or roof is actually twisted out of shape this may be more difficult.
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Old 03-20-2022, 06:17 AM   #4
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Bill, thank you this is ow that I was considering buying but it sounds more work than it’s worth. I would have to take it to a shop to do it.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill View Post
Ouch! Is this your TM, or are you considering buying it? What year is this TM? What model? Where do you live?

The bag seals look messy, but they can be replaced. If it is an older TM with wood wall framing, the problem may be more serious.

Just so you know, TMs are built almost entirely with aluminum (no steel), so soldering is not possible. As a practical matter, welding isn't possible, either. And unless this is a brand-new TM (doesn't look like it), the entire shell cannot be replaced - doing so would be costly enough that the insurance company would total the trailer.

So in a practical sense, your only choice is a mechanical repair. The real question is - what does it look like under the blue tape? Can you peel off the tape, and then look into the joint from outside? We need to see how the sidewall framing is attached to the front wall framing, and if there is major damage in that area.

Bill
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Old 03-20-2022, 11:31 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Larryjb View Post

NB: because aluminum reacts chemically with stainless, you must coat each stainless screw with silicone or other sealant.
Good advise. This is what we use in the marine industry for using S/S screws or rivets in aluminum.

https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-8134...32&sr=8-5&th=1
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Old 03-20-2022, 01:01 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by simoesxp View Post
Bill, thank you this is ow that I was considering buying but it sounds more work than it’s worth. I would have to take it to a shop to do it.
I would agree that it could be a risky purchase not knowing the extent of the damage. However, for your future TM should anything happen, such a repair isn't actually too difficult.

Good luck finding something!
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Old 03-21-2022, 08:52 AM   #7
simoesxp
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Thank you!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Larryjb View Post
I would agree that it could be a risky purchase not knowing the extent of the damage. However, for your future TM should anything happen, such a repair isn't actually too difficult.

Good luck finding something!
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