Crack on my van's roof

[Elltom]

Was giving the Great White Heap a bath, and found this on the roof.
I saw that others had posted with similar cracks, and suggested that SMB had repaired under warranty.
I only had a penthouse installed, so not sure if they are interested in seeing me again.
I can get it fixed, but really want to go after the whole roof and gutters to keep the rust off, and thinking of Line-x. Just thought I'd share

[Wheelie]

Originally Posted by Elltom

Was giving the Great White Heap a bath, and found this on the roof.
I saw that others had posted with similar cracks, and suggested that SMB had repaired under warranty.
I only had a penthouse installed, so not sure if they are interested in seeing me again.
I can get it fixed, but really want to go after the whole roof and gutters to keep the rust off, and thinking of Line-x. Just thought I'd share

I bet you a Dr Pepper or Beer that's not a crack, that looks like a odd scratch.

Generally Fiberglass will develop many small stress cracks in the gel coat due to flex, heat, cool, pressure, expansion stress & more.

But for some reason the pics you posted look like a scratch, not a typical fiberglass stress crack.

[86Scotty]

Looks like a scratch to me too. I wouldn't worry about it. You're bound to get a lot more if you offroad at all, and up there on top, who cares?

[Elltom]

Just a scratch?
That is broken sheet metal right there, not the penthouse.
I think it's a crack.
Pushed down on one side, and it opened up.

[BroncoHauler]

Here's Daveb's thread on his van's body cracks.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13596&hilit=crack+body


Herb

[Viva]

From just the photo that looks like a crack to me, but I can't really tell where you "are" in the photo. Can you post a couple more photos showing the surrounding area?

If it is a crack, then seeing more might give some clues as to what sort it is. Gelcoat cracks (presuming this is the gelcoated surface) usually give a clue as to what type they are. For example: A fracture from something hitting it (say you drop something on it), a fracture due to underlying movement (thick gelcoat plus underlying structure that is not totally rigid), or an "echo" of an underlying crack in the actual fiberglass structure (gelcoat is basically a shiny/resin surface; there should be structural fiberglass beneath it).

If you could show more, that might help in a diagnosis.

[Tapatio]

Looks like a scratch or crack on the front cab, not the penthouse.

[1der]

Hey Guys,

Elltom (the OP) posted:
That is broken sheet metal right there, not the penthouse.
I think it's a crack.
Pushed down on one side, and it opened up.

Reads like a crack in METAL. Where on the roof metal is a question to be answered. From the picture, one of the roof channels can be seen, but cannot tell if it is fore or aft, or even left or right of the penthouse.

Either way, a crack in metal that opens up when pushed on is not a good sign. I can understand daveb's door area developing a stress crack, but Elltom's roof crack is very interesting in how that area would be stressed enough to have a crack develop.

[daveb]

I'm trying to figure out where that is on the roof. IIRC somebody here showed pictures of a crack that started on a corner of where they cut the roof open to install the top.

My cracks around the doors have not returned but it might take years for new ones to develop anyway. Off road travel is rough on these rigs. I just noticed my battery boxes on the side rail are showing fatigue and have cracked. Plan to reinforce how they are mounted.

[Elltom]

In the photos, you can see one of the depressions on the E-series roof. You can also make out the anti-friction tape, and a little of the penthouse. This is directly over the passengers head. Not on the penthouse. So this is clear, no?

I need to put the top up, and take a better look....and photos.
The crack may originate from an element of the penthouse. Like a screw, or jagged cut.
I will have to check it out better. Thanks for chiming in, guys, and I 'll climb up there soon!