Fabricating A Metal Skin Trailer Roof

[@cheapswede]

That was very satisfying to see that press squash the seam. That was the same seam I had to cut-off when replacing the rear panel below the tail lights on my Mobile Scout. It would not open-up for anything. Thank you for sharing!

[@mobiltec]

See that's what I've been talking about. Those seams will NOT leak. You would have to really damage it in order for it to leak. Thanks for watching...

[@trex2092]

I am a retired aircraft sheet metal mechanic, "tinbender", USCG 21 years, and I am in complete awe of the master of skill and machinery of these guys. Wish I had known about this operation when I retired from the USCG. A metalsmith's dream job.

[@ifferl8781]

Industry can be art. Thanks Rich and Rick

[@iknowthouartmine]

Love it. It's like "picture picture" from Mr. Rodger's neighborhood, lol or that show "How its made" Thanks for thinking of making this video Larry and thank you to Hemet Valley for letting you record it.

[@ovro4496]

imcreible, como ese par de hombres son tan importantes en la construccion de trailers y cubiertas sin su trabajo las posibilidades de hacer algo bueno se reducirian, felicitaciones Orlando Vro

[@mobiltec]

Easy for you to say....

[@paulalusk5586]

Thanks so much for sharing this with us. It was interesting to see the process the metal skin goes through.

[@mobiltec]

You're welcome Paula...

[@campfire52]

That is very interesting to see how these roof panels were machined and jointed together. Thanks for showing this process to us Larry. I can now see why it is so unlikely for the leaks to be cause by the cross seams on the roofs. It just has to be the edges of the roofs or the vents and appliances that are put in after the cuts are made. I definitely learned something here. Take care my friend.

[@mobiltec]

Great! That was the intention of this video. Lots of people call Steve and ask for seamless roofs and they have more problems with those roofs than they supposedly take care of. For one thing you can only get them in .040 thickness which is WAY thick and very hard to work with.

[@ddaymen11]

Was just curious, I bought a 2000 12 or rather 2002 Trail Lite motorhome from my aunt last April for a job that I had to end up quitting. I might do some work to it and know nothing but how these things are made. But I am learning a lot from people like you who graciously post of these videos. Thank you so much.

[@mobiltec]

You're welcome...

[@SuperJackmeeks]

Never seen anything like this...thanks for sharing

[@mobiltec]

No problem Jack. Thanks for watching.

[@Lmachine1]

Cool video! Thanks for sharing it 😊

[@4486xxdawson]

Nice to see proes at work , verh nice roof 👍👍

[@ilikequiet6474]

A clean well organized shop.

[@mobiltec]

Yes it is.

[@kathrynb4683]

Geez! I grit my teeth every time they reached for that metal bare handed! Great video!

[@mobiltec]

Although you should be careful, this metal is not as sharp as you think. Once cut it becomes a little more sharp and care must be used in handling it.

[@alexanderdebbage5934]

Excllent video! I always wondered how that seam was made. Thanks!

[@deanrubbo5676]

thanks guys. that was terrific.

[@1bakerblue]

Great Video, I've been there a few times know and enjoy watching these guys work. They also put out a good product..

[@mobiltec]

Yep it's fun to watch these guys at work...

[@blueduster74]

Hey Larry, glad to see you doing well. I haven't been on much for a year or so, last saw your videos shortly after your eye surgery.

[@mobiltec]

I remember you. Still dealing with bad sight in my right eye but another procedure is scheduled... Glad to see you back.

[@PaulDGreen-bu4iz]

Nice work! Thanks for sharing Larry!

[@mobiltec]

You're welcome Paul.

[@daultonruff2281]

Pretty cool! Do they make side panels too? I will have the Shasta with that pattern.

[@mobiltec]

Yes they do

[@Hexauslion]

I wish to see a video of actually laying the skin to the roof and attaching the s channels to the front and back.

[@mobiltec]

Go to my website and watch the 57 Westerner Partial Project series. www.cannedhamtrailers.com

[@trex2092]

I have a Tesla Stainless Steel CyberTruck on reservation, a small SS Camper would be the perfect accompaniment to the truck.

[@mobiltec]

A battery operated truck eh? Different for sure.

[@justinavery9793]

I cant believe they do not wear gloves!!! Very interesting process though, thanks for sharing.

[@mobiltec]

Gloves just get in the way. The metal isn't really sharp on the edges. It's after you cut it that it becomes sharp. So it's more dangerous when I'm working with the metal installing it on the trailer than it is for them.

[@DanielinLaTuna]

Larry, Rick said it's all about the maintenance. Was he saying to do some sort of maintenance to the seam? Like wax it or something? Also, I just bought a gutted travel trailer that I'm gonna use as an office. Viewing your videos I see it should never have been gutted. But it's pretty sturdy and survived the 12 mile move okay; but I'm putting in the inside paneling asap! 2nd question: should I be using some sort of insulation between skin and paneling? Daniel

[@mobiltec]

The maintenance Rich was referring to was replacing putty tape under the J Rail and windows... Should be done every 7 to 15 years depending on climate. The paneling should be replaced by taking the aluminum skin off the trailer first. It goes on from the outside. Not the inside. And yes, insulation should be used between the paneling and the metal skin along with a vapor barrier.

[@ThePhilipDOlson]

What type of material is in the cleating for the ACME lock? Is it a type of sealant tape meant to provide the seal once it is hydraulically pressed?

[@mobiltec]

No it's just a steel case. Look at it closely in the video. The two sides are curved up and in to hold the two sheets of aluminum together.

[@ThePhilipDOlson]

@@mobiltec ok, I only question because I have a paused snapshot that makes it look like there is something in there. I'm currently in the process of rebuilding a 196? shasta compact and I am almost at the metal stage. I am working with a local company in Saskatchewan, Canada to do the work to the metal for me. Got real worried there for a minute looking at this video and what looked to be like something in the cleat.

[@shawnio]

I can hear you smiling in the video :) I would of been ecstatic

[@fatwod]

I purchased a seamless roof panel 16 feet long with an S lock on each end from Interstate RV metals [Portland,OR] so it can be done. Whether or not it should is another question. So far, it has held up very well. Your roof was a total of 20 feet? And, if you don't mind sharing- the total cost? [not including shipping]. All of your videos I've seen- they are very helpful- Thank you.

[@fatwod]

just read ALL comments- $490 + tax. Good deal! Thank you.

[@tomwebber9377]

No fatwod, THANK YOU for reading through all the comments and saving many of us a great deal of time! I live in PDX myself and will be starting on a rehab project soon. It's good to have this resource at my fingertips.

[@fatwod]

IRVM for you means no tax, no ship and they'll do custom work at an affordable price. Hemet RV is the best choice for those living in the Southwest. Good luck with your project - have fun!

[@mobiltec]

Don't forget that all my trailer vids are listed in an easy to find fashion on my website...

[@fatwod]

Highly recommended for sure! Especially, when you have to fab a door frame from nothing - mobiltec takes the mystery away!

[@rudrapawo4736]

what does 20' of that metal roof weigh about? - just curious. i pulled the metal off my 22' Jayco 1976, which is not vintage nostalgia, because that metal is quite loud at 1a.m. in a rainstorm hahah. and also it looked to me like the metal has lead in it and the white corrosion on the underside may be lead poisoning. peace thanks for showing us this process its pretty cool those flat seam roofs are bullet proof.

[@mobiltec]

I don't know. Two of us can lift it though...

[@billley3960]

So would Hemet have the specs for different trailers? I have a 68 Shasta Starflyte, and it is 4 panels with a smaller 7" piece added after the first full panel. Total length looks to be about 16'1", but if Hemet has done a Shasta Starflyte, would they know the exact length I would need? I'm sure shipping has to be quite a bit, but I need to do it

[@mobiltec]

No they don't know exact measurements for any trailer. You just call Steve and he will lead you through the process of measuring your trailer. Works every time. He's really good at this.

[@deanrubbo5676]

them scissors were great.

[@nicoleinterrante8958]

What thickness are those sheets? And are cleats available for purchase?

[@mobiltec]

They will be either .024 or .030 which ever you like. I like the thicker stuff myself. Those cleats as you can see in the video require a BIG PRESS to smash them down and make the ACME seams water tight. You can't do that on your own.

[@nicoleinterrante3831]

@@mobiltec but do u sell the cleats? I can do much when I have my mind set.....

[@mobiltec]

@@nicoleinterrante3831 I just videoed the process. I don't own the company and I don't sell anything. Steve Loomis owns the place that makes the roofs. His link is in the description. Call him.

[@nicoleinterrante3831]

@@mobiltec ty I will contact. Might be able to fab those as well. Idk yet. But I might try. I do have access to a metal shop.

[@2hotscottpro]

Is Steve still open for purchasing material?

[@mobiltec]

Yes he is.

[@AmatuerEnthusiast]

Great video Larry, I wonder is there a practical reason for the 4 inch breaks or is it purely aesthetics? I have a couple of caravan videos on my channel which I have been restoring but it never occurred to me that I could replace the aluminium.

[@mobiltec]

The brakes are there to help keep the metal from buckling. The metal expands and contracts with heat and cold. Then buckling happens. The brakes help prevent that.

[@AmatuerEnthusiast]

Ah that makes sense. Thanks.

[@mobiltec]

You're welcome!

[@Anonymoose]

That's an amazing process to watch, Larry! And that press that squishes the seams together is a monster! These guys have obviously been doing this for a while. Now you take this home as is and literally roll it out over the top of the trailer, end to end, right? PS - See if you can use this comment to get me on that stoopid "approved" list. :-)

[@mobiltec]

Your comment showed up without a problem this time John. Yes we just set it up on the roof and roll it out.

[@thegriender637]

Could you tell me where you guys are located? I have a 1990 Shasta revere camper, was wondering if you cn make panels for that trailer

[@mobiltec]

Yes. They can. Hemet Valley RV and Siding is located in Hemet California and they ship. Just google them.

[@davidmeraz4453]

do you only fabricate for the roofs or is the shop able to do the entire RV

[@mobiltec]

Hemet Valley RV and Siding makes metal for the entire trailer with all sorts of different patterns. You can check them out at www.hemetvalleyrv.net

[@mobiltec]

Hemet Valley RV makes metal for the entire RV and they have all sorts of different patterns available. You can check them out at www.hemetvalleyrv.net

[@Alpha-to9od]

After this video i feel like building my own trailer..lol

[@A35pickuptruck]

Very interesting Larry. How wide is each panel ??Do they ship across the US Ohio?

[@mobiltec]

Yes they do....

[@mobiltec]

The panels are 4 feet wide by what ever length you need. Call Steve so he can tell you how to measure your trailer. I want to make a video on how to measure your trailer for new skin also. Soon as I get moved to the new location.

[@A35pickuptruck]

Thanks Larry, Good luck on the move. Its a hell of a job and I will never move again . When I'm ready I will give them a call for new metal.

[@mobiltec]

Make sure you tell them my videos sent you there.... :)

[@2hotscottpro]

I laughed at ending.Now just stand there lol😅

[@A35pickuptruck]

10-4 will do

[@Mrs.Cathey]

Where can I buy these already made?

[@mobiltec]

Hemet Valley RV and Siding. They will ship it to you. They will also tell you how to measure your trailer... Google them.

[@thunderbird97]

what type of aluminum do they use and what is hardness

[@mobiltec]

The roof is either .024 thickness or .030 depending on your choice. I have no idea what kind of aluminum or what the hardness of it is. No one has ever asked that question. Call Hemet Valley RV and Siding in Hemet, California and ask Steve Loomis.

[@thunderbird97]

I was just curious, probably 2024 T4 or 6061 T3

[@mr.c7080]

thunderbird97 iii

[@markvasquez9486]

Thank you for sharing!

[@ddaymen11]

what was the cost for that?

[@mobiltec]

Cost of a roof depends highly on what kind of pattern you have and how many panels it takes to build. This one was $490 plus tax.

[@maribelalvarez8847]

How much$$.for a tryler

[@mobiltec]

I don't understand your question....

[@kr5289]

so, this is how camper roofs leak I mean made.

[@mobiltec]

These roofs do not leak. Your comment is ignorant.

[@jamiconroy7841]

.... gloves... eek... wear are the gloves !!

[@mobiltec]

Gloves? For what?

[@gschady]

3 million dollars in machinery and I can do it MYSELF

[@Whataboutthefuture]

Keep the humans off the roof that’s what breaks these seams

[@mobiltec]

Cats too. They jump off the roof of a building and land on your camper. Never park next to a building.

[@causanow6946]

I thought all those metal roofs were made in China?

[@mobiltec]

LOL... What made you think that?

[@CEZAMPOL]

Hi....the video itself is cool...amazing,but...there's one thing that call me attention : anyone is wearing Individual Protection Equipment (IPE). That guy wearing a long beard runs a serious risk operating all those rolling machines! I'll leave my thumb up for the explanation, not for the safety!