Autotrail Apache 634 U Roof

Wildchild88

Wildchild88

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Call out to all Autotrail Apache 634 U motorhome Owners

I'm looking for facts rather than guesses thank you

I have a 2011 model and seeking advice in regards to the roof
I have established that it's designed for rain to run to the front and disperse each side of the dome. Where the roof connects to the rear body panel is a strip similar to those used on the sides at joints. Each side of this is three rivet's. Now unless there should be gaps in those joints for drainage reason I think they need re sealing.

IMG_3599Copyright PHRandallSnr.jpg
IMG_3603Copyright PHRandallSnr.jpg
 
Sealing

I wouldn't know but surely rivets as the same as screws should not be visible. We have a Burstner and where the roof joins the side is a rail with beading in it. On the roof today checking it before we shortly go away I noticed that part of the beading was missing. Bearing in mind that this van is 14yrs old. So we put sealant into the part that was missing as the screw was visible so filled it with sealant. This is only my opinion that if there is a screw or rivet visible at some stage water will come in. We had a small problem with the van about two years ago with water ingress after a bit of research we bought a "sticks like sh**" from screwfix even after 3 months in Spain with tremendous heat on it and a load of bumpy roads and then torrential rain this stuff has done the job fantastically. I now carry a spare tube in the van as it does what it says on the tube, brilliant stuff. I hope this is some help.
PJ
 
pamjon said:
I wouldn't know but surely rivets as the same as screws should not be visible. We have a Burstner and where the roof joins the side is a rail with beading in it. On the roof today checking it before we shortly go away I noticed that part of the beading was missing. Bearing in mind that this van is 14yrs old. So we put sealant into the part that was missing as the screw was visible so filled it with sealant. This is only my opinion that if there is a screw or rivet visible at some stage water will come in. We had a small problem with the van about two years ago with water ingress after a bit of research we bought a "sticks like sh**" from screwfix even after 3 months in Spain with tremendous heat on it and a load of bumpy roads and then torrential rain this stuff has done the job fantastically. I now carry a spare tube in the van as it does what it says on the tube, brilliant stuff. I hope this is some help.
PJ
Click to expand...


Thanks for your reply. I don't disagree with your views, however I'm cautious because of the way this motorhome deals with rain. It has no guttering and the sides are raised with the only escape for water being each side of the dome at the front. However I wonder if there's an additional perhaps quirky rain drain at the rear. I need to establish this before getting out the mastic gun, I don't want to block what may be a type of drain.
 
My Dakota is the same.

The strip is purely cosmetic as far as I can work out. If it extended the full width then water would pool rather than run down the rear panel.

I don't believe you need to do anything.
 
POI Admin said:
My Dakota is the same.

The strip is purely cosmetic as far as I can work out. If it extended the full width then water would pool rather than run down the rear panel.

I don't believe you need to do anything.
Click to expand...

Thank you

I still can't help feeling that the rivits and some of the joints should be sealed
 
Wildchild88 said:
Thank you

I still can't help feeling that the rivits and some of the joints should be sealed
Click to expand...

You can be sure it is sealed, unless of course there is evidence of water ingress. The line of rivets no doubt continues across the entire width of the joint. The D-section trim cover is just that and is cosmetic.
 
POI Admin said:
You can be sure it is sealed, unless of course there is evidence of water ingress. The line of rivets no doubt continues across the entire width of the joint. The D-section trim cover is just that and is cosmetic.
Click to expand...

No water ingress yet, but I like to correct things before they get to that stage. Thank you :cool:
 
I thought I would update you with the response from Autotrail Customer Service

Great response from Autotrail Customer Services

2011 Autotrail Apache

Aftersales Team <aftersales.team@auto-trail.co.uk>
21 Aug 2018, 16:03 (22 hours ago)
to me

Good afternoon

Thank you for your e-mail, from the pictures we can assure you that this is correct, the roof and the rear panel overlap each other and are fully bonded together, the strip and rivets are there to add extra support to the area and ensure the bond does not fail, the strip running across the roof does not go edge to edge to allow water to drain off the rear of the vehicle.

Kind regards
PaulB
The Customer Services Team

Description: Auto Trail
 
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