[whited44]

I’d like to start with this makes me sick

Large branch fell off a tree and hit the roof of the coach.  I’ll attach some pictures. What is the best way to go about repairing this??  And recommendations on shops??  Yes it’s insured.  

Also is the roof aluminum??

[HoosierDaddy]

Sorry Dennis. I had a similar incident with my Airstream years ago. Yes roof is aluminum. I’d check with Newell first. Repairing the aluminum would not be difficult. The time and cost will be spent on R/R the interior items in order to access the damaged area. Also your insurance co. Might be able to direct you to a competent shop. Try to talk to their adjuster.

[[email protected]]

I’d like to start with this makes me sick

Large branch fell off a tree and hit the roof of the coach.  I’ll attach some pictures. What is the best way to go about repairing this??  And recommendations on shops??  Yes it’s insured.  

Also is the roof aluminum??

Oh no, sorry to see that Dennis. As mentioned, you may speak with Newell and see what they say. A good body guy could probably fix that, but the work will be removing the interior items to get to the back side of the metal. 
All the skin on a Newell is aluminum from what i understand, well except the front and rear caps which are fiberglass.

[folivier]

Sorry to see that. In the meantime you might want to make certain there are no leaks especially below the damaged area where the side meets the top and where the awning attaches.

[whited44]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

1. Ill get ahold of Newell tomorrow and see what they say
2. I talked to my body guy yesterday (he specializes in semi’s) so that’s an option
3. My cousin has been a sheet metal worker for 30 years. Best welder, metal manipulator I’ve ever known this is an option too

Does anyone think it’s possible to do everything from the outside?? Disassembling the interior it not at the top of my list of things to do..

[[email protected]]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

1. Ill get ahold of Newell tomorrow and see what they say
2. I talked to my body guy yesterday (he specializes in semi’s) so that’s an option
3. My cousin has been a sheet metal worker for 30 years. Best welder, metal manipulator I’ve ever known this is an option too

Does anyone think it’s possible to do everything from the outside??  Disassembling the interior it not at the top of my list of things to do..

Hmm that's something the metal guys would have to answer. With steel I have seen them put them little weld on pins to pull out the metal but not sure if you can do that with aluminum. Aluminum will work harden so they will have to be careful with whatever they do. 
Only other thing to consider with removing the interior would be to inspect to make sure that no wires have been pinched or damaged in that area, hopefully there is nothing up there but you never know. Seems like most of my wiring is run in the cabinetry not in the frame.

[Jack Houpe]

Thats not too bad Dennis bummer that it happened but repairable those ribs are 24" apart be glad you didn't smash one of those. That curve in the roof houses a lot of wires so I would be cautious drilling and using a slide hammer and doing it from the outside.

[360]

What a bummer. If I was turning it into insurance I'd have Newell do it.

[whited44]

Well I talked to newell today. The protocol is that they pull it out as much as they can, then fill with body filler and blend the paint.

Also thay told me there are no wires running thru up there so that’s good. When they do this they keep the interior in place because they say costs can get out of control fast.

Newells estimates is 16k plus the fuel there and back. I may be able to stop there on my way back from out west in July if all the stars align.

My insurance company needs to write “their own estimate” so we’ll see where that ends up money wise.

I’m afraid that the insurance company is gonna say here’s $50 bucks and far from newells estimate.

We’ll see

[Latitude 28]

Just for grins contact a highly recommended painless dent repair guy/gal and see what they might be able to do.  Your insurance adjuster will probably do the same and base their estimate from that.