Forum Discussion

arcsum68's avatar
arcsum68
Explorer
Jul 31, 2019

Replacing Roof - Should I buy new vents?

Hi all, as the subject states, just looking for a general consesus on what I should be replacing.

The roof is getting old on my TT and I have a few leaks that need to be addressed.

I plan to eliminate the antenna's, but that still leaves me with the refrigerator, 2x 14" vents, the shower skylight, a ladder, roof rack and I think 1 sewer vent.

Should I be buying entirely new vents or can I reuse them, they still function perfectly fine, but I am unclear on if these should just be replaced.

What about the roof rack? I never use it, but it is a "feature" apparently desired by some. The ladder is convenient, and the shower skylight is very worn so that will ge replaced.

Whatchall think?
Seeking Advice
  • sayoung's avatar
    sayoung
    Explorer
    Aug 10, 2019
    midnightsadie wrote:
    the sun eats plastic replace everything up there.

    That's the way to go, all new vents and don't forget a new skylight.
  • C_Schomer's avatar
    C_Schomer
    Explorer
    Aug 10, 2019
    I'm in the middle of redoing my 5er. It was ordered with the ladder but no rack. I'm going to leave the ladder off and I just ordered a 12' straight ladder and I have room to carry it under the rv after I build some brackets. The back end of the rv sure looks nice w/o it! My roof vents have metal,frames and I will redo the caulk and replace covers if necessary. I'm not sure what the worst part has been... It a draw between redoing the graphics and R&Ring the end caps and sealing them right. Craig
  • IAMICHABOD's avatar
    IAMICHABOD
    Explorer II
    Aug 05, 2019
    I would suggest getting the Polycarbonate vent lids they last a lot longer.

    Also something like the Maxxair covers,they will make your vent lids last longer.

    The covers are constructed of high density polyethylene with maximum UV inhibitors for years of worry-free protection,unlike the others on the market today.
  • momentum_rv's avatar
    momentum_rv
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2019
    Did mine not too long ago. Pretty much all plastics got cracked during removal (they had become very brittle.) Figure on replacing them all (just the covers or lids not the entire vent assembly.)

    I THINK they used 1 gal of adhesive on my 41ft. roof.
  • Cobra21's avatar
    Cobra21
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2019
    I would replace the plasticroof vents, including the frig. one. Those don't last too long in the sun. The plumbing vent tops seem to last but don't cost much. On mine, I eliminated the TV antenae, the roof rack, and also the curved portion of the ladder that fastends to the top of the roof. Works well for me.
    Brian
  • arcsum68's avatar
    arcsum68
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2019
    Tyler0215 wrote:
    Toss the roof rack if you ever use it. Replace everything else, then you won't have to tear into your new roof when one of the vents break next year.


    Literally never, I would not even consider putting something on my roof anyway, I would be afraid to damage it. Less chance for water to get in though, which is why I wondered about it.

    midnightsadie wrote:
    the sun eats plastic replace everything up there.


    Just to be clear, I would need to replace the frames of the vents and not just the plastic? Do the those go bad? I have already successfully replaced one of the covers in the past. These things dont really get good reviews consistently do they?
  • Tyler0215's avatar
    Tyler0215
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2019
    Toss the roof rack if you ever use it. Replace everything else, then you won't have to tear into your new roof when one of the vents break next year.
  • arcsum68's avatar
    arcsum68
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2019
    Also, anyone who has done this, how far does a gallon of Dicor adhesive go. Reviews on Amazon seem to say quite far, but otherwise I cannot find any coverage specs.

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