RV Repair: pop up roof repair, repair question, leaking roof

Question
QUESTION: I just bought an 88 Sun-Lite Firebird V and it has a leaking roof, or at least water damage to the ceiling. How do I go about replacing the ceiling? IT as well as the wood that holds up the canvas to the ceiling are wet and parts are rotten. It seems to be glued to the fiberglass. Can this be replaced? and if so, how?

ANSWER: Jason, this will really be an undertaking for you to do. In all my years I have only had to replace 2 pop up tops and both of them had to be fabricated from scratch. First thing to remember is to make a drawing of the top with all dimensions written on it. That way when you have it torn down and can't remember just how things went you will have it to refer to. After that you will need to take the top off the coach and pull the mouldings off so you can dismantle it. The fiberglass should come off with some work, but if not you will be able to order some from a dealer or repair shop near you. Take a piece with you so they can get the same style and color. After you have it torn apart and in pieces you will see just how they put it together. Basically you want to make the new one as close to the same size as the original one. It is better to be shorter than longer as you can always add something to take up space rather than having to tear it apart again and cut it down more. They make these in a mold and in a production line with the form for it. Always glue everything you can to each other so the bond will last longer. If the main part of the roof is good you might even be able to overlay it when you have it off the coach. But chances are that if there is wood rot visible then there is more that is unseen. Good luck with this project and if there is anything more I can assist you with feel free to ask and I will do my best to help you all I can. Bill

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QUESTION: Thanks Bill for your advice. I might not have been clear on my question though. I don't want to redo the fiberglass. I want to take the ceiling off and replace it, leaving the fiberglass. I don't think I could ever do the fiberglass thing, way above my head. I was hoping to tear out the interior of the ceiling and repair any leaks in the fiberglass and then rebuild the ceiling. Does that make any sense? The wood does appear to be rotton in several places on and around the edges on the ceiling. I took out ever screw I could find and the one side I was working on would not drop?! I started pulling at the rotted area and saw the roof so I am assuming that it is just glued to the roof. Is that how they are usually done? Any suggestions on how to get it off? Thanks again.

Jason

Answer
Ok Jason sorry for the miscommunication on my part. This is a crank up tent trailer right. That is what I am going by, ok? These are almost always glued together. This one may have a frame between the outer roof and ceiling the ones I have done were made with plywood. But in any case once you get the roof detached from the stantions and canvas you should be able to pop the paneling away from the sub structure. Once you are there you can see what will need replacing and when that is done put the new panel or panels back on with glue and staples. Try to whenever possible to put slightly longer screws back in so they will bite into fresh wood. Make sure you can use longer ones before you put them in because if they are too long they will go completely through and you will have more trouble. If there is still some rot in the roof you may even want to put the new panel back on and use screws as well with some sort of decorative button to give a larger hang area for the panel to rest on. Remember that if you happen to damage the fiberglass you can replace it, and it comes with the texture on and it is in sheet form. They call it filon. I guess it is a compound of fiberglass and nylon. That would be my guess anyway. If I have still missed the question then if there is anyway possible for you to take any pics you can e mail them to me at hunter42558@sbcglobal.net. That way I can see exactly what you want to have answered. Thanks, Bill