rowekmr
Chicago
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I have been looking at MH and am really learning a lot in the process posting my questions here. I am unclear about roofs because my TT was new and I didn't have to do anything to it. On older (90's) MH's I have read that it is good to caulk the seams and I also have read it is good to use a tape (?) on the seams.
Which seams are they referring to?
Also few MH's listed state they have rubber roofs, what treatment or type of roof is that?
Anything with regards to roofs that I should stay away from?
Thanks
03 Ford Excursion Ltd 6.0L
00 Acura RL
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96 Regal 258 Commodore
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Johnworth914
USA!
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The tape is Eternabond.
Not necessary as long as you do regular inspections and take care of any issues.
There is no tape, caulk, coating or other miracle that can beat a good pair of eyes used on a regular basis
Alaska is next! Still trying to fit the pontoons to the RV so We can get to Hawaii!
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rowekmr
Chicago
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What are possible issues?
Johnworth914 wrote:The tape is Eternabond.
Not necessary as long as you do regular inspections and take care of any issues.
There is no tape, caulk, coating or other miracle that can beat a good pair of eyes used on a regular basis
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harold1946
Surprise Arizona
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There are three types of foofing material commonly referred to as "rubber roofs". EPDM, TPO and the latest offering is Brite TEC and are the most used.
EPDM is oldest technology and TPO was the next step, considered to be much tougher, longer lasting, and does not sluff off like EPDM. Brite-tech is the next generation and touted to be the best of both worlds.
Harold and Linda
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Johnworth914
USA!
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Quote:What are possible issues?
Tears from scrapes with branches, old caulk developing cracks or shrinking are two.
That is what happened to my Class C For 10 years i inspected roof and seams and reapplied caulk as needed. Then I tore my rotator cuff and could not get up there for 6 months.. Wouldn't you know that is when a half inch crack opened in the caulk around a vent and stained the ceiling...
Had I been up there I'd have seen it developing and fixed it before I leaked.
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rowekmr
Chicago
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I did some more research and found that some RV's have aluminum or fiberglass roofs also. Can anyone describe the pro's and con's of each?
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harold1946
Surprise Arizona
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Fiberglass is the longest lasting and probably the strongest. Some have a gelcoat finish and some are painted with a clearcoat as a topcoat.
I am not aware of any motorhomes being built with aluminum roofs but I could be wrong.
Monaco and Tiffin have had a few problems with their fiberglass roofs on some late models but I do not know to what extent.
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bsinmich
Holland, MI
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Eternabond tape used around the edge where the roof meets the sidewalls and end caps will eliminate the constant caulk. The original use of Eternabond was to seal underwater cables while they were still under water. I used the white on my previous Pace Arrow becaue they were known to leak. I never had a leak. The only thing Eternabond won't stick to is silicone. You have to either remove or bridge any silicone that is on the roof currently. If you check the manual on your TT you will probably find that they also require annual or semiannual checks of the roof for possible leaks. The constant moving of everything on either a MH or TT is what helps to create leaks.
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire, Workhorse W22, 2008 Saturn Vue, Falcon 5250, & US Gear Unified Tow Brake
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Bruce Brown
Northern NY
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harold1946 wrote:Fiberglass is the longest lasting and probably the strongest. Some have a gelcoat finish and some are painted with a clearcoat as a topcoat.
I am not aware of any motorhomes being built with aluminum roofs but I could be wrong.
Monaco and Tiffin have had a few problems with their fiberglass roofs on some late models but I do not know to what extent.
Winnebago has had some problems with their fiberglass roof as well, some of them pretty serious.
Recent Discussion
Personally we've had aluminum, EPDM rubber, and Brite Tek. Aluminum was ok but it does draw the heat and you can hear every rain drop. I like hearing the rain to some extent, but it gets old after a while. EPDM chalks, causing the dreaded black streaks. As soon as you clean it it all happens again. I'm not a fan. I AM a fan of Brite Tek. Simple, tough, quiet, virtually maintenance free, and simple to repair should something happen. On our '00 Dutch Star I needed to get through the Brite Tek (doing a project); it took a brand new razor blade with a fair amount of effort to get through it. We're on our 3rd coach with Brite Tek and I see no downside at all.
There are 24 hours in every day - it all depends on how you choose to use them.
Bruce & Jill Brown
2008 Kountry Star Pusher 3910
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path1
seattle
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(not to steal thread, it pertains)
Quote:There are three types of foofing material commonly referred to as "rubber roofs". EPDM, TPO and the latest offering is Brite TEC and are the most used.
EPDM is oldest technology and TPO was the next step, considered to be much tougher, longer lasting, and does not sluff off like EPDM. Brite-tech is the next generation and touted to be the best of both worlds.
So how does one tell the difference? Or does it matter from a fixing it point of view. Does roof fix it stuff (like Pro flex work) on all types?
(To cheap to buy new)
1990 37 ft 5th wheel that hasn't moved since 1996 (our best home)
1997 33 ft trailer (winter home in much warmer climate)
2005 25 ft M/H (our "stand up B" for traveling)
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