Skin repairs on a Schroeder type trailer

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

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 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.

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

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