Cracking noises in motorhome roof

[Sjsergeant]

We have had our Ace Airstream (2008) motorhome for 3 years now and on 3 occasions heard loud cracking noises in the roof. The first time was mid morning as the sun was getting through to our van in a wooded area, so we put that down to temperature change. The second time was 3am New Years Eve when we heard it as we approached our van on the drive. And then this morning it started at 6.20 and carried on for over an hour. It sounds like fireworks sometimes then other times there just a single cracking noise. Any idea what it is or how to cure it? Thank you

 

[TerryL]

We have a similar (Swift Bolero) model but have never heard anything like that. Apart from birds on the roof (I don't think so) the only thing that occurs to me is some sort of electrical short, but unless you've got anything non-standard fitted up there I've no idea what would cause it. Maybe check your skylights for something under stress, creaking acrylic might sound similar.

Sorry can't help further but I'm intrigued, do tell us if you find what it is. Meanwhile at least your post is "bumped" for a chance someone else has an idea.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

The outer aluminium skin on the roof is probably not bonded to the underinsulation. This is how the roof is constructed. The aluminium skin will expand and contract at a different rate to the underskin and could account for the "cracking" noise. If you check your roof and take some photos on a hot day and again on a cool day, you will probably see some creases.

 

[TerryL]

The outer aluminium skin on the roof is probably not bonded to the underinsulation. This is how the roof is constructed. The aluminium skin will expand and contract at a different rate to the underskin and could account for the "cracking" noise. If you check your roof and take some photos on a hot day and again on a cool day, you will probably see some creases.

I could almost accept that, but it's happening in wildly varying circumstances. Be interested to hear if anybody else has experienced this.

 

[Sjsergeant]

Thanks for the suggestions but there doesn’t seem to be any pattern. First time it was getting really hot high 30’s, second time 3am December don’t know what the temperature was but there wasn’t a sharp dip and then this morning it was about 14 degrees and misty. Roof lights open on 2 occasions shut on the other. It could have happened many other times when we’ve not been in the van.

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[irnbru]

We have an ace airstream same year and don’t hear any noises like that.

 

[Figaro]

It'll be the mice making themselves comfortable

 

[Wagoneer]

My van bodyshell creaks when there is a change in temperature, generally morning/evening. Put it down to the teutonic German construction method Think it would be difficult to allow for expansion/contraction in the build process as this could compromise the "sideways rigidity" of the box structure.

However, the greatest degree of expansion/contraction in a MH will technically occur lengthwise (along the roof/wall panels, front to back). The ends of the solid roof (front and back) normally terminate in an overlapping capping with a flexible sealant between solid roof and GRP capping. Perhaps the OP's loud cracking noises are coming from the flexing of the GRP capping ???

 

[movan]

My van does it when it cools down at night... as though it cracking in two. It's done it for years and no adverse effects... Burstner on a Renault base.

 

[Sjsergeant]

We have an ace airstream same year and don’t hear any noises like that.

Do you want to swap

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[irnbru]

No... it does make funny noises driving along the road sometimes like a crack but not when it’s stationery.

 

[Joe Merc]

I have a Jayco motor home. The noises from the cab above is getting extremely bad, only 9 months old. It was only making noises when the van twisted on a uneven road. After picking up from the first service the noise now occurs on a smooth road. It sounds like friction between the metal roof of the van and the built on motor home luton peak construction.
Can this movement between the two be locked together again.