2022 Imagine 22MLE owner, please contact me for a roof question.

CFDBattChief

Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2024
Messages
16
I have a question about my roof, and would deeply appreciate someone who has the same camper as I do to contact me. I appreciate your time in advance.

CFDBattChief
 
I have an 22 MLE. Yes the roof has winkles, GD says it's normal. I am not happy with it.

If that isn't the question ask away. There is a lot of knowledge on this forum.
 
Thank you BoredWeasel. I have 2 screw pops about to punch holes through my membrane. They are about 6” apart, in line with where I think a roof truss would be. It would be where I think should be the first truss as you move from the front cap seal at the roof towards the rear of the camper. At all other locations where it is obvious where a roof truss is, there is the nice bow in the roof from side to side to shed water. Where these screw pops are, the roof is flat. Could you look at your roof and tell me if you have a nice bow in your roof at the first truss? And is this first truss in line with the front attachments of your solar panel? If so, it should be about 16” back from the front cap. The first obvious roof truss I can see is further back, going under the solar panel about a third of the way back.
I think I may have a roof truss that has fallen some or failed in some way, and is trying to return to its normal arch and the screws can’t resume their position in the truss and are being pushed up. But like I said, the roof is flat there and I cannot tell if a truss is supposed to be there.
If we can talk or video chat in some way that would help you to see what I am talking about or help explain it, I am good with that.

Thank you,
CFDBattChief

IMG_9932.jpeg
 
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no bow in my roof. I would push that as a structural failure specifically because of the screw pops. I would document it and call GD directly
 
Ok, thank you. I'm not trying to drag our conversation out, but I would just like to be clear... You do not have a bow in your roof where a truss would be, in line with where the front mounts are for the solar panel? Your roof at 16" back from the cap/roof seam is flat. The picture I included previously shows the first obvious bow from a truss almost touching the bottom of my solar panel, making me think the truss that may be at the front end of the solar panel has failed. And that line just happens to be where the screw pops are located.
 
I have a question about my roof, and would deeply appreciate someone who has the same camper as I do to contact me. I appreciate your time in advance.

CFDBattChief

I would still appreciate hearing from anyone else with a 2022 GD Imagine 22MLE. I would like to know if anyone else has an obvious bow in the roof, running side to side, at the front of the camper, 16 inches back from the front cap/roof seal. It would be a bow in the roof just like all the others in the roof indicating the location of a roof truss. It should be in direct line with the front attachment points of the solar panel. I am in need of this information prior to another phone call to GD, and anyone that could help I would be so thankful for your time.
 
I would still appreciate hearing from anyone else with a 2022 GD Imagine 22MLE. I would like to know if anyone else has an obvious bow in the roof, running side to side, at the front of the camper, 16 inches back from the front cap/roof seal. It would be a bow in the roof just like all the others in the roof indicating the location of a roof truss. It should be in direct line with the front attachment points of the solar panel. I am in need of this information prior to another phone call to GD, and anyone that could help I would be so thankful for your time.

We have a 2023 22MLE purchased in 3/23. I noticed some roof bubbles during our inspection and pointed it out and they said that some are normal and would disappear over time. I wasn't totally convinced and contacted GD and sent pictures once we got it home. GD said that they didn't see anything out of the ordinary but made record of it. I noticed one truss towards the front which was more evident than any of the others. Not saying that it's a bad roof, just a different material and approach from what we were used to. Our previous Salem Hemisphere had the typical rubber roof and metal trusses, so it was very stiff to walk on. The 22MLE, different material and kind of spongy when you walk on it. We have it covered most of the time when we're not using it, a full cover during winter and just a roof cover in the summer. That said, I have contacted a local 'FlexArmor' to possibly re-do the roof if it becomes necessary.
 
Thank you, [MENTION=53647]jas451[/MENTION]. I would like to know if the first obvious truss is about 16 inches back from the front cap/roof connection. My roof is flat at that location, and I am trying to determine if a truss has failed.
 
Ok, thank you. I'm not trying to drag our conversation out, but I would just like to be clear... You do not have a bow in your roof where a truss would be, in line with where the front mounts are for the solar panel? Your roof at 16" back from the cap/roof seam is flat. The picture I included previously shows the first obvious bow from a truss almost touching the bottom of my solar panel, making me think the truss that may be at the front end of the solar panel has failed. And that line just happens to be where the screw pops are located.
[MENTION=62116]CFDBattChief[/MENTION] -


Here are a couple of forum posting tips:

1) If you use "Reply With Quote" (to the right of "Reply") as I have here, folks will know to whom you are responding and that person will get a notification.

2) You can also tag folks using the "@" symbol and their user name (as I have done yours) - they'll also get a notification that way.

Rob
 
I can measure for it, probably about 16 inches or so, seems to line up with the front of the solar panel more or less.
 
I can measure for it, probably about 16 inches or so, seems to line up with the front of the solar panel more or less.

Would you be able to take a picture of where the first truss is on your roof? I would like to be able to see exactly what yours looks like.
 
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Might be more like 24 inches...??? Most of the bubbles seem to have disappeared except for one 'roll' by the skylight.....
We've had a lot of sun and heat lately, maybe that's helped...??? Quote from FlexArmour was for $4600 just in case I ever need to go that route...but hopefully not.IMG_3340.jpgIMG_3341.jpg
 
I have my 'tech' guy coming by 8/13 to check my wheel bearings. I can get his take on it (the roof). He's also a certified tech for Lippert and has been through their classes and instructions and is up to date on the latest TSB's, communications, etc.
 
Might be more like 24 inches...??? Most of the bubbles seem to have disappeared except for one 'roll' by the skylight.....
We've had a lot of sun and heat lately, maybe that's helped...??? Quote from FlexArmour was for $4600 just in case I ever need to go that route...but hopefully not.View attachment 51703

I have a series of that same wrinkle down my driver side rear of my roof. my flex armor appointment is only two weeks out now and price is roughly what I was quoted. I have a couple of extra solar panels that are $150 extra to remove and remoint
 
I have my 'tech' guy coming by 8/13 to check my wheel bearings. I can get his take on it (the roof). He's also a certified tech for Lippert and has been through their classes and instructions and is up to date on the latest TSB's, communications, etc.

Thank you for sending the pic, [MENTION=53647]jas451[/MENTION]. It appears that my roof looks the same as yours, as far as where the trusses are located. In your picture, it looks like the first visible truss you have is far enough back that it goes under the solar panel, and not what I was thinking; that there should be one in line with the front attachment points of the solar panel. I have attached a better picture that hopefully explains my concern with the screw pops and the thought that a truss had fallen. I'm sorry that you are having trouble with the bubbles in your membrane. I would love to hear what your "tech guy" says.

IMG_9941.jpeg
 
Thank you for sending the pic, [MENTION=53647]jas451[/MENTION]. It appears that my roof looks the same as yours, as far as where the trusses are located. In your picture, it looks like the first visible truss you have is far enough back that it goes under the solar panel, and not what I was thinking; that there should be one in line with the front attachment points of the solar panel. I have attached a better picture that hopefully explains my concern with the screw pops and the thought that a truss had fallen. I'm sorry that you are having trouble with the bubbles in your membrane. I would love to hear what your "tech guy" says.

View attachment 51705

Ok, my technician for GD and Lippert came yesterday......I had him re-pack wheel bearings. First time since we have taken delivery. He said that the factory had put very little grease in, so a good thing that was done I guess. I asked about, what's going on with the wrinkles and bubbles in these roofs. He said that when they build them they lay the fabric on the roof and go around and seal the edges and around all the vents, skylights, etc. He said that they do not put any glue over any of the other expanses. So if during the installation and they get it pretty taut and tight yours might have fewer bubbles and/or wrinkles. That explains a lot, and I'm ok with it, just monitor and make sure that you don't have any tears and develop any gaps around the vents and edges. He mentioned that a lot will go away over time with exposure to sun and heat, but maybe not all. He also checked out my battery charge and converter since I had replaced with a lithium battery, and I may have to go in a make an adjustment in the converter. He's going to have to get back with me on that.
 
Ok, my technician for GD and Lippert came yesterday......I had him re-pack wheel bearings. First time since we have taken delivery. He said that the factory had put very little grease in, so a good thing that was done I guess. I asked about, what's going on with the wrinkles and bubbles in these roofs. He said that when they build them they lay the fabric on the roof and go around and seal the edges and around all the vents, skylights, etc. He said that they do not put any glue over any of the other expanses. So if during the installation and they get it pretty taut and tight yours might have fewer bubbles and/or wrinkles. That explains a lot, and I'm ok with it, just monitor and make sure that you don't have any tears and develop any gaps around the vents and edges. He mentioned that a lot will go away over time with exposure to sun and heat, but maybe not all. He also checked out my battery charge and converter since I had replaced with a lithium battery, and I may have to go in a make an adjustment in the converter. He's going to have to get back with me on that.

Thank you for sharing the info from your tech guy. One note on the axle bearings, the lack of sufficient grease, as he indicated, is probably not on GD, but the manufacturer of the axles.(Dexter, etc)
GD now suggests that I get mine in to a dealership to have them take a closer look at the screw pop issue with mine. So, I’m working through that now.
 

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