Where would you go to get a cracked motorhome shell repaired? I can go anywhere...

Kippr · Newbie

Where would you go to get a cracked motorhome shell repaired? I can go anywhere...

bilbo · Senior Member

Everyone I call refers me to someone else. Who refers me to someone else. Who says they can't do it.

There is yr 1st problem...........dont ring............it is tooooo easy to fob you off

Try standing in front of "repairer"' and you will "sometimes" get a diff result.

Is it fibreglass??

cheers Bilbo

Bicyclecamper · Guru

I would be looking for a fibreglasser, maybe a surf board maker, boat builder or someone like me, as I do that a lot, repair fibreglass, but I am 2500km from you. You can buy kits from Supercheap/Bunnings, and with the instructions, and a non damp day, it is easy to repair. In the mean time get yourself some quality gaffer tape and block the crack otherwise, water will leak inside, do damage , never dry, as it is very hard to get out.

-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Tuesday 23rd of May 2023 04:43:49 PM

Tony Bev · Guru

Welcome to the forum, kippr

I have no idea whereabouts in Adelaide you would get your motorhome shell repaired

Perhaps driving the vehicle to some of the local fiberglass repairers, and asking for a quote, may be better than just ringing around

When you do find a mob that will do the repairs, it would be good if you came back, with a recommendation, as what happened to you, will happen to others

Possum3 · Guru

Ric's above advice is good advice - I cannot offer any repairers in South Australia

Perhaps if you contact Colin Young at Caravan Council of Australia, he may be able to point you in the right direction - be aware that most caravan repairers are booked out for months.

CARAVAN COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA
3 Margaret Street,
Parkdale VIC 3195
T: 0409 865 399
F: 03 9587 1828

caravancouncil@optusnet.com.au

landy · Guru

The first thing I would try Kippr is to go on youtube and type in how to repair crack in fiberglass caravan, ( if it is in fact fiberglass ).
Landy

SoloMC · Senior Member

I'll assume that you are insured and advise you to contact your insurer. It won't be a cheap fix and depending on the amount of damage sustained, it might be very costly. In the interim, advise your insurer of the problem. Depending on how handy you are, get a repair kit and seal up the damage to prevent water getting in. If not handy, get someone to do a temporary repair , just to make it waterproof

Kebbin · Guru

Look up yellow pages for Fibreglass Fabricators they will do the job no matter the materials involved, it's just a matter of getting an address and going for a drive.

Possum3 · Guru

Kebbin wrote:
"Look up yellow pages"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Now that is living in the past.

kgarnett · Senior Member

Maybe you could try here. They appear to be in Adelaide.

They say "We offer fibreglass repairs and restorations to caravans, cars and many other vehicles."

https://www.elitefibreglassconstruction.com.au/repairs-and-restorations

KJB · Guru

Possum3 wrote:
Kebbin wrote:
"Look up yellow pages"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Now that is living in the past.

Google "Yellow Pages" and ask them to send you a copy......

Kebbin · Guru

Possum3 wrote:
Kebbin wrote:
"Look up yellow pages"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Now that is living in the past.

I suggest you are the one living in the past Possum, if you think that I was referring to the book.

-- Edited by Kebbin on Wednesday 24th of May 2023 03:04:57 PM

Greg 1 · Guru

I had a very good experience with Gawler Caravan Repairs. Very helpful mob. Ask for Micheal.

shakey55 · Senior Member

There should be an abundance of fibreglass repair businesses, or even mobile fibreglass repairers around. Let your fingers do the walking, you will eventually find one.

How bad is the crack/damage. A picture would be nice

Bas + Eve · Senior Member

The BEST glass repairer in Oz is Brett Murray. He was head of fibreglass for Marinero Yachts. He is in Maroochydore, contact details: Southeast Fibreglass Repairs
07 5443 1036 WWW.Southeastfibreglass.com.au

You will never pick his repairs..perrfect!!

Kippr · Newbie

Yes, it's fiberglass.

I think you're right... but it's just bizarre how hard it is to find anyone todo this.

I did contact a fiberglass repair shop that does at lot of boats but had a photo of a motorhome (parked at their door, since it couldn't fit inside). They said they're booked out until next year.

Most places say they things like they don't have doors big enough.

Even the guy who runs the annual Caravan Show didn't know.

Also, it probably needs to be pushed slightly to close the gaps - it's cracked atop and below the window. Wondering if I can push it against a tree or something... but that's the sort of repair attempt that tends to go catastrophically wrong.

Kippr · Newbie

Thank you. I got some mighty tape. I think there's a bit of flex. Because it snapped in the middle.

I'll put some pics. I've been overwhelmed with sense of defeat on this. Three of us have been calling business after business. Start to wonder things like, Is this a dream? Are they indeed disposable? Has the country become that deskilled?

For my sanity, I had to back away from it for a bit.

Possum3 · Guru

Kippr, definitely don't try to close gap be slowly driving into tree or any other fixed object - You may be able to utilise a ratchet strap to slowly pull edges together. Genuine Gaffer Tape or Gorilla Tape will hold without tearing if it is not being twisted.

You can always cover the crack/hole with plastic or vinyl patch taped over it.