Roof Damage

[Brian Long]

My 87 37' Newell suffered damage when the storage structure collappsed on it. It appears the damage is confined to the roof. All of the A/C's are damaged along with the antenna's and vent. I am sure the roof is compressed but feel it is repairable. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Rgds,
Brian

[fulltiming]

Are the ribs actually bent or just the aluminum skin covering the ribs? The skin is fairly easy to replace. The ribs can be cut out and replaced but it is a much more extensive repair.

[Brian Long]

Thanks Michael for your reply. We are going to begin removing the structure on Monday. I think the roof damage is confined to the center, the front and rear cap appear fine and the rolled portion of the top down both sides look ok.
Brian

[Wally Arntzen]

If you have insurance on the building or the coach you should have coverage. Call your insurance agent before you get to far with removing the building. If you do not get in touch with the agent take a lot of photos of the building on it and the coach in place before you move it.

Check with the Newell factory and maybe they can give an estimate with the photos if you get enough of them.

Good luck, Wally Arntzen

[Brian Long]

Thanks for your reply Wally. The structure is a rented and the owner is arranging for its removal. I do have coverage but fear I may have voided my coverage as the owner of the structure required the occupants provide their own insurance and hold him harmless. I have reported the claim and was advised to get photograph's and and estimate.
Brian

[chockwald]

Even if you agreed to hold the owner of the building harmless, in some cases, if you can prove negligence on his part (lack of maintenance, etc.), he can still be held liable. What was the cause of the collapse of the storage structure?

[Neweller]

Welcome Brian to the Newell Forum! Something to keep in mind on these Newell's is that they have a one piece roof skin. Depending on who does the repair or replacement to make sure any seam added that the roof overlapped the next piece going from front over back and so on. Keep the least amount of exposure of the seam while driving in adverse weather etc.... Just food for thought.

[Brian Long]

This is my first experience using the forum and I am really impressed with the responses. We have been through a snow event which beat a 40 year record with snowfalls totaling over 18 inches. Roof collapses are everywhere. The structure was built in 1955 weathered all storms until this one. We are going to start removing the building wreckage on Tuesday. I am eager to get my Newell secure and start analyzing the damage.

Ken, I thank you and everyone for their great input. This is an awesome forum you have here.

Brian

[chockwald]

Hi Brian.....well, not much one can do about an "act of God", but at least your insurance carrier is involved, and hopefully, you will get a good result.

[Brian Long]

Clarke, I was thinking about turning this to more positive outcome by considering putting an aluminum diamond plate skin over the existing roof once we get it pushed back into shape, this would straighten the roof and also could be used as an observation deck. Any thoughts?
Brian

[Richard and Rhonda]

Brian, a year of so ago, there was a Newell for sale that had that very setup. As you may have noticed, most coaches with decks also have some sort of railing system that is easy up and down. And of course you'll need to mount a ladder.

I would think that hardest part would be the transition areas at the front, sides, and back to get the aesthetics pleasing. I would think the transition should not allow wind under the deck, or else that's a rather large sail up there :-)

[encantotom]

when i was shopping for my newell, i talked to a guy who had was a CART indy car official that had a newell with diamond plating on top and a removable railing they used to watch the races from.

unfortunately it was an entertainer that had a partial conversion to a regular coach. so it was too much work for me then, though probably less work than i did updating mine.

if the roof is damaged, i would consider putting the diamond plate on. would be a bit of work, but could be cool.

[Richard and Rhonda]

Brian,

Here is the Newell with the roof deck. http://www.messagesfromtheroad.com/BC/BC_BlackGoldNewell.html

[Brian Long]

Thanks for your reply. We got the coach removed from the collapsed building and the roof appears to have only light damage and I think a repair will be pretty straightforward. I do not think I will proceed with the observation deck.
Brian

[encantotom]

glad that the damage wasnt too bad. please keep us updated as to what you do and take some before and after pictures to post.

[Brian Long]

I have taken pictures and will post them soon.
Brian