Went to look at a Triple E Topaz 240rl xl. It has just about every bell and whistle you could ask for, Inside, slides, outside look great. Problem is i got on top and walked the roof. While I didn’t hear anything that sounded ominous I did note that there were 2 or 3 areas where it felt like the board under that EDPM was warped or come unglued from the rest of the roof. I did not see any leaks in that area on the inside and everything looked like it was well sealed. NADA says it is worth 21,0000 they are willing to take 15000. What say you? Take it or Run?

Oh, starting out with a suspect roof... What does your pro inspector say?

Never heard of a Triple E Topaz. What year is it?

2007. Built in Canada, four season. Rated to -30.

I toured the triple E factory in 2004. It was a quality place. Does this one have metal studs in the walls or are they wood? If metal, I'd say "go for it".

The roof is probably not surprising since it is an RV. Mine has been like that for years. A lot of roof damage seems to happen around the items that go through the roof or where things like ladders are fastened. Have you looked extremely close for water damage? I'm no expert but I have looked at my share of used RVs and it's surprising how close you can come to missing the tell tale signs of water damage. Water damage that is there but it isnt obvious. One of those things is fine little pimple like dots on the walls. Look closely down in the corners and in the corners of the slides. Use something sharp to poke in the carpet to check for soft wood. Edges that are under trim will often start to expose water damage first so look closely for loose trim or faint discoloring. People will lie lie lie to get rid of their problems.

Help me decide, take it or leave it | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Apr 21, 2018
Johnnybgood wrote:
Rv tech said there were no leaks in the roof. Said we probably have about 4 years left if we took care of it. Wash and condition the roof about every 6 months. Then stressed getting a Rhino roof when we were ready to replace this roof. He didn’t call it a Rhino roof but it is the same thing as the Rhino liner you spray in the bed of a pickup truck.

be sure to get a cost of that replacement and subtract it from what you will pay. or just avoid a rubber roof.
bumpy
Johnnybgood
Explorer
Apr 21, 2018
An interesting thing. There are these tiny circles that are appearing on the front of the rv. It is as if someone was taking a tiny punch and was taking out the top cover of the sidewall. Anyone heard of this?
pianotuna
Nomad III
Apr 21, 2018
Hi Johnnybgood,

Washing the roof, unless there is some significant reason, may simply shorten the life span.
Johnnybgood
Explorer
Apr 21, 2018
Rv tech said there were no leaks in the roof. Said we probably have about 4 years left if we took care of it. Wash and condition the roof about every 6 months. Then stressed getting a Rhino roof when we were ready to replace this roof. He didn’t call it a Rhino roof but it is the same thing as the Rhino liner you spray in the bed of a pickup truck.
ReneeG
Explorer
Apr 20, 2018
Johnnybgood wrote:
Gbopp,
Taking your advice and having a mobile rv tech take a look at it. Thanks. John

Let us know what the rv tech advises.
laknox
Nomad
Apr 20, 2018
Johnnybgood wrote:
Gbopp,
Taking your advice and having a mobile rv tech take a look at it. Thanks. John

Here's a good link for you: https://nrvia.org/. I was planning on using an inspector from here when I was looking at some used rigs.

Lyle
Johnnybgood
Explorer
Apr 20, 2018
Gbopp,
Taking your advice and having a mobile rv tech take a look at it. Thanks. John
gbopp
Explorer
Apr 20, 2018
lj2654 wrote:
If you are on this forum questioning it I would walk away. Too many other deals out there to be second guessing the issues you may have.

X2. Apparently you have concerns with the roof. Hire a mobile RV tech to do an inspection.
Or, walk away.
lj2654
Explorer
Apr 20, 2018
If you are on this forum questioning it I would walk away. Too many other deals out there to be second guessing the issues you may have.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Apr 20, 2018
I wouldn't want a rubber roofed RV myself when there are plenty of options.
bumpy