Roof popping problem

S

scappoosebrad

Advanced Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2016
Messages
97
Location
Scappoose, OR
We have a 2016 Fleet w/ 160 solar on roof…mounted on 93 Nissan 4x4, V6… we regularly check our turnbuckles to confirm that they are “tinging” tight…they have not needed any tightening the last 2 or 3 uses of the rig…we just returned from trip that included freeway and state roads—about 600 mile rt… on the return trip we were traveling into a 10-15 mp head/side wind… 5 or 6 times especially on the freeway returning, we experienced the “roof popping” noise…additionally this occurred a couple of times on the 2 lane hiway apparently from wind wash from an oncoming truck…

Do others experience this “roof popping” noise occasionally? Is this normal? A post trip inspect showed all mounting screws of the solar secure and the roof secure… Has any one added any wind deflectors that have stopped the problem? Is the solar panel the main cause (with no deflector)? Or is the main issue with camper overhand above the truck roof? This remains a mystery to us…has occurred periodically since we purchased... would love to hear from others about their experience with “roof popping” and especially any solutions that may have eliminated…

finally would appreciate any feedback from Stan @ Four Wheel about this problem--who is in the catbird seat to hear back from camper owners…most especially is it normal? anything to worry about? Any possible solutions? (I know Four Wheel is now installing a lower profile/lighter 160W solar unit)… interested in any and all feedback…thanks
Brad
 
scappoosebrad said:
We have a 2016 Fleet w/ 160 solar on roof…mounted on 93 Nissan 4x4, V6… we regularly check our turnbuckles to confirm that they are “tinging” tight…they have not needed any tightening the last 2 or 3 uses of the rig…we just returned from trip that included freeway and state roads—about 600 mile rt… on the return trip we were traveling into a 10-15 mp head/side wind… 5 or 6 times especially on the freeway returning, we experienced the “roof popping” noise…additionally this occurred a couple of times on the 2 lane hiway apparently from wind wash from an oncoming truck…

Do others experience this “roof popping” noise occasionally? Is this normal? A post trip inspect showed all mounting screws of the solar secure and the roof secure… Has any one added any wind deflectors that have stopped the problem? Is the solar panel the main cause (with no deflector)? Or is the main issue with camper overhand above the truck roof? This remains a mystery to us…has occurred periodically since we purchased... would love to hear from others about their experience with “roof popping” and especially any solutions that may have eliminated…

finally would appreciate any feedback from Stan @ Four Wheel about this problem--who is in the catbird seat to hear back from camper owners…most especially is it normal? anything to worry about? Any possible solutions? (I know Four Wheel is now installing a lower profile/lighter 160W solar unit)… interested in any and all feedback…thanks
Brad
Click to expand...
Yes it happens, but never had it happen driving, camping yes, but only when windy. jd
 
Unfortunately some FWC campers are afflicted with oil canning roofs. We had that problem on our Grandby, and it was hard to get a good nights sleep when it was windy. Because our truck was a noisy diesel, I couldn’t tell you if it occurred while driving, but I suspect it did.

That’s one reason I prefer the old style screwed down roof. I’d call FWC directly.
 
Just re-read the "Oil Canning..." post of 2014...the issue addressed there was when campers were parked and in a wind...haven't been in a "windy camping" setting yet to experience... but our problem is while driving into a wind or past an oncoming vehicle's wind wash... these are the conditions the popping occurs.. again, on a 4 hour return trip last week, the popping occurred about 5 times--definitely wind related...

Will look for any further comments... will wait to see if Stan from the factory gets in on this before I might call FWC...
 
If the roof of our Hawk oil-cans while driving, we don't hear it, but we sometimes hear the noise when camped if we open the side window or disturb the passenger side of the camper. Not sure why, but it doesn't seem to be a big deal.
 
We have not (at least not that we could hear) experienced any "oil-canning" on our 2017 Fleet. We also have the factory installed 160 watt solar panel on the roof without any wind deflector. Perhaps we just haven't had the right wind conditions.
 
Two sleepless night as winter storms passes through. Wind up to 35 mph and maybe higher gusts. Loud popppng and shaking was quite disconcerting. My Grandby has factory aluminum rack and Yakima tracks and 160 watts panel. Roof has Low spots that collects water too.
I tend to think it is a quality control problem at the factory. I have purposely asked other FWC owners about popping and have asked them if popppng was a issue for them. Most do not have popping issues and their roof skin is smooth and flat without low spots.
My Grandby collect so much rain on roof, I have learned not to drive downhill with windows open when taking off after rain event as water pours towards the front and into cabs.
I always say to other who ask if I like my camper and you all know the answer is definitive positive, but when someone asked me the other morning after two windy, sleepless night, I replied that I didn’t like my FWC the last two nights. I guess I was pretty grumpy.
I also am ready to ask the factory if there is any remedy, but I doubt it. Short of replacing entire roof and do it right. Hope to hear from Stan.
 
My Grandby is a 2016 model. Was actually a showroom model with everything added. You’d think they would take care in building a floor model, but mine has obvious flaws in the roof and in the cabinetry, minor but unnecessary if they have better quality inspections.
 
Best to call Jay, our Service Manager for more details, questions, or advice.

They’ve put him in charge of items like this.

FWC Service — Ask for Jay

530-666-1442

Thank you.
 
Stan...
Thanks for responding and who to call at 4 Wheel... will be contacting Jay in the next few days... will post any pertinent info after I talk to him...
Brad
 
Just talked to Jay @ 4Wheel...after discussing the issue, he suggested putting a bug guard on the front hood of our 93' Nissan truck...he felt just that small addition might change the aero flow over the truck/camper to eliminate any roof popping due to winds while on the road...

Will get that mounted and see if that eliminates the popping...will let you know after our bug-guarded rig is road tested...stay tuned...

Brad
 
Called Jay at FWC at Stan’s suggestion. He informs me that there is a bow on the roof that was built into the length of the roof. He speculated that the previous owner may have over loaded the roof, which may have caused more bowing and causes popping. The overload could of come from gear storage on top or from snow load.

Short of replacing the entire roof, he suggested opening windows or vents, which I am not exactly sure that can help. When the wind is blowing hard, I tend to not want to open windows as it will be loud enough inside, but I will give it a try next time.

I am not sure how much weight on the roof is too much, but I have read somewhere in the forum that it can handle 2000lbs? I will stop by Woodland one of these day this Spring and Jay offered to have a look to give me a diagnosis.

Read previous post circ. 2014, very helpful.
 
I see the Frequently Asked Questions section on the Four Wheel Campers web site says...

(Click to enlarge)

FWCfaqRoofWeight.jpg

.
 
I know it has been "months" since I talked to Jay about how to eliminate roof popping when driving especially at highway speeds(55 mph +)...Jay had suggested installing a "bug guard" on the front bumper of our 92 Nissan p/u...

Since the conversation in February, I purchased and installed the bug guard/wind deflector...and "finally" we took a 5 day/500 mile r/t to eastern Oregon and a lovely campground next a lake... both going and coming, traveling freeway most of the way including the "windy" Columbia River Gorge, I can report that there was virtually NO POPPING of the roof... 2 or 3 times due to big truck "side wash" there was a pop or two, but nothing like it had been prior to the wind deflector install...

Jay, I would say your suggestion was most helpful and recommend trying the same fix to others who may experience "roof popping" during road travel (usually 55 mph plus)... Thanks again to Stan, Jay and 4-Wheel folks lending a hand with solving a problem...
 
I would try experimenting with the tension on the 6 roof latches. If you have a roof rack, experiment with adding and removing weight.
 
I've experienced this popping too, and the hood deflector install makes me think that the popping is coming from the truck's roof, not the camper. I can even feel the roof deflecting through the headliner when it happens.

My $.02
 
Bill, Vic...thanks for your thoughts... have tried adjusting the roof latch tensions--no noticeable difference... Vic, can't say it is our p/u roof but rather the camper...Jay at 4W suggested this solution...saying it would deflect enough air to lessen the pressure on the camper/camper roof...early on, the noise had something to do with the turnbuckles not tight...that issue has been eliminated as the turnbuckles are check and remain "tight" to the camper bed...

Another 3 week trip happening Sunday to BC...will have some more "road experience" to observe and report...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads - WTW

HP415
Roof Alignment in 2000 Eagle Shell
Vic Harder
Vic Harder
S
Snow Broke my FWC Hawk Roof
2
ckent323
C
W
FWC Single Sheet Roof "Tin Canning"...Why?
6 7 8
kmcintyre
K
S
For Sale: $17,000 2016 FWC Fleet Model
sarahposton
S
S
Should have checked wires from below....
2
AWG_Pics
AWG_Pics

New posts - WTW

Back
Top Bottom