Skin repairs on a Schroeder type trailer

[Brad[_2_]]

I've got a trailer that was damaged a few years back when a load of
snow slid off the roof and landed right on the skin. About 5 of the
fiberglass ribs are broken and the skin is fractured, split and
generally ripped apart in a few areas.

Has anyone got some idea about how to repair the broken skin? I can
easily make new ribs, but the skin looks a bit challenging to repair.
Maybe replacing the broken sections with pre-cured laminated sheets is
the way to go?

Any thoughts would be appreciated................heck, I guess if I
can build a glider I can repair a busted trailer top!

Thanks,
Brad

[[email protected]]

On Dec 30, 6:06*pm, Brad > wrote:
> I've got a trailer that was damaged a few years back when a load of
> snow slid off the roof and landed right on the skin. About 5 of the
> fiberglass ribs are broken and the skin is fractured, split and
> generally ripped apart in a few areas.
>
> Has anyone got some idea about how to repair the broken skin? I can
> easily make new ribs, but the skin looks a bit challenging to repair.
> Maybe replacing the broken sections with pre-cured laminated sheets is
> the way to go?
>
> Any thoughts would be appreciated................heck, I guess if I
> can build a glider I can repair a busted trailer top!
>
> Thanks,
> Brad

Did one of those a few years ago- Yep snow made shed fall on it.
We made replacement bows from 3/4 EMT and bonded them in next to
damaged bows. Much less work than making a form to
do proper repair on fiberglass bows. Skins will be a bit of a problem
because they are probably brittle and it will be a challange to get
stuff to go to contour. We only had a few minor repairs. I'd suggest
premaking flat skin using 3 layers of 92110 bid and bonding to the
inside. If there is a good straight section, you could just lay some
plastic on it and laminate skin pre bent.
Good Luck
UH

[Mike[_32_]]

On Dec 30, 8:55*pm, wrote:
> On Dec 30, 6:06*pm, Brad > wrote:
>
> > I've got a trailer that was damaged a few years back when a load of
> > snow slid off the roof and landed right on the skin. About 5 of the
> > fiberglass ribs are broken and the skin is fractured, split and
> > generally ripped apart in a few areas.
>
> > Has anyone got some idea about how to repair the broken skin? I can
> > easily make new ribs, but the skin looks a bit challenging to repair.
> > Maybe replacing the broken sections with pre-cured laminated sheets is
> > the way to go?
>
> > Any thoughts would be appreciated................heck, I guess if I
> > can build a glider I can repair a busted trailer top!
>
> > Thanks,
> > Brad
>
> Did one of those a few years ago- Yep snow made shed fall on it.
> We made replacement bows from 3/4 EMT and bonded them in next to
> damaged bows. Much less work than making a form to
> do proper repair on fiberglass bows. Skins will be a bit of a problem
> because they are probably brittle and it will be a challange to get
> stuff to go to contour. We only had a few minor repairs. I'd suggest
> premaking flat skin using 3 layers of 92110 bid and bonding to the
> inside. If there is a good straight section, you could just lay some
> plastic on it and laminate skin pre bent.
> Good Luck
> UH

On old friend of mine, Steve Bowen, had the same thing happen. He
found a source of a fiberglass panel and replaced the complete top.
The last I knew he was in the Winona, Minnesota area. Perhaps he reads
RAS.

[Brad[_2_]]

Thanks to all for your suggestions! At first I was going to buzz the
top off and make a metal clamshell top. Spent a few weeks designing
the top and making sure everything fit inside ok. Actually had
something that looked really good. However, upon reflection, and the
fact that I don't have unlimited time and money, I think I'll just
repair what I've got now.

Will let you know how it goes!

Brad
hpaircraft.com

[[email protected]]

On Dec 31, 3:06*pm, Brad > wrote:
> Thanks to all for your suggestions! At first I was going to buzz the
> top off and make a metal clamshell top. Spent a few weeks designing
> the top and making sure everything fit inside ok. Actually had
> something that looked really good. However, upon reflection, and the
> fact that I don't have unlimited time and money, I think I'll just
> repair what I've got now.
>
> Will let you know how it goes!
>
> Brad
> hpaircraft.com

We thought about the clamshell idea and decided the time was better
spent on the glider going in it. Interesting how the thinking follows
the same pattern.
HNY
UH