Long story as short as possible. I have found a 1971 barth 24 foot for sale in texas. The fact that it hasn't been on the road in 25 years should have scared me away, but what can I say, I've got barthitis. This will be the 3rd I've rescued. Anyway...

I had a long talk with the 88 year old owner. He drove it in 96 from oklahoma to new mexico and back pulling a ford tempo. After sitting for a year he could not get the motor to turn, so he had it hauled to texas where they lived in it while they built their new house.

On to the roof, the only part that truly worries me. According to the owner, a 300+ pound man climbed onto the roof to service the air conditioner, causing it to buckle under his weight. He contacted the barth factory at that time. Barth informed him that these early motorhomes had weaker roof structures than the later ones. It was really cool talking to someone who actually spoke with the factory.

My real question is, has anyone had this issue? Tried repairing it? I'm not a layman by any means, I was an rv tech for years, but i know the a/c unit is going to have to be level again for it to ever stop leaking, so this is something I definitely want done right. I am imagining cutting and welding? Rivet it all back together? Any help is highly appreciated.

I just can't let this old girl to continue to deteriorate. Definitely still worth saving. I have more pictures if anyone wants to see them.

Drew I have a 72 and i am 220 and had no issues on my roof. Hard to believe he damaged it by just being on it. Send me a pics. mnhunter@yahoo.com I don't believe he could have broken the framing. I would try to jack it back out from the inside. Not having seen it I am just speculating. You will be removing the inside to repair and should be able to see any frame damage. The roof skin is one piece of aluminum so if you can avoid damaging that would be major. I am thinking you are saying its dished down by the air so water ponds around the air conditioner seal.

I also have a passenger side windshield I removed from mine.