Ok...I will NOT ask "What should I do" because only I can make that decision...(and I don't appreciate it when other's ask "What should I do"...not a fair thing to ask).AND don't point me to the search feature. ;-)BUTOver the years on this discussion forum, I have been helped (and hopefully have helped) via discussions...talk among friends...a few little things to think about...a valuable tidbit...a shared, similar experience...So...took the 15 YO camper in to get the roof painted...repair place said, "too far gone and some evidence of wood rot" 7+ grand to replace. (27 ft half bunkhouse TT).I have been watching the camper over the years and have not seen any evidence of significant or extended water leaks, so I'm thinking the rot is manageable...Of course, obviously a $7,000 repair bill is tough to stomach on an $11,000 camper (that has a few other age issues).Conversely, we like it and something newer is 20K easy...AND what will it cost to get rid of the old one?!?!So...thoughts (and thanks in advance to those here who can discuss)

well the roofs shot,plus what you can,t see its not worth 11k. so either you fix it yourself ,or it should take a lighting strike.

1) Get a a second opinion on the condition of the roof. Maybe it's not as bad as paint shop says. Try a roof repair specialist, if the first guys aren't. 2) Search youtube for some repair videos and try doing it yourself. You've got nothing to lose, and you might do a better job. I'm sure I've seen one or two DIY roof repair videos on the net for just this sort of problem.3) Pay the $7000 and get a new roof on a familiar RV.4) Bite the bullet, move on, and get a new TT.

$7k sounds rather excessive to me, unless the rot damage is significant. Anything more than superficial rot should be pretty easy to detect by walking or crawling around the roof and seeing where it's soft.If you're somewhat handy and have the time and a helper or two, you could do the work yourself for a lot less than that; the roofing materials should be less than $1k, I believe. In any case, while I won't tell you what to do, I will say that were I in your position I would at the least get a second or third opinion/quote if possible.

If you chose to get rid of the old one, I would advertise it on CL cheap or free. Someone will take it for a hunting cabin, etc..Before you dispose of it (if you are capable) I would check the roof myself. Not quite two years ago I restored the original rubber roof on our 96 Southwind. It was in rough condition but, Eternabond, Dicore Caulk and Heng's Rubber Roof Coating has it looking good and leak free.It was not difficult, it took few days to complete and was worth the effort. I'll get several more years out of the original roof.

Deduct the $7,000 estimate from the $11,000 value and you have a $4,000 dollar TT. I would look into getting a company to spray it with Line-X truck bed liner. I have seen them spray flat house roofs and do a great job.If that works then you can get several more years of use from it. All the roof supports is its own weight and a few lights and A/C.

Roof Shot on Travel Trailer | Good Sam Community

K3WE
Explorer
Feb 01, 2018
Sorry- didn't mean to spit out 11K as the delusional VALUE of the camper...that was the price we paid for it- and mentioned that just as a bench mark...yes, it was a decent deal 15 years ago.

Run a depreciation schedule and it's nearly worthless financially...although good rubber, good fridge, good pump, good microwave, good plumbing, furnishing, and everything BUT the roof...but life's tough :-)

I THINK we are gonna take the camper back from the shop, do some duct tape and bailing wire repairs (Lowe's sells roofing tar), and limp through a few more months and THEN look into replacing it...

...appreciate the comments and the suggestion that I can probably get rid of it and get some gas money for a good-long trip in the deal.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Feb 01, 2018
does this have a rubber roof? what is "painting" going to fix?????????
bumpy
beemerphile1
Explorer
Feb 01, 2018
Only cost $3,000 to have a new rubber roof put on the trailer in my signature about 3 years ago. All wood decking and some rafters were replaced.

You need another shop to take a look, that price is too high.
Yeti_plus
Explorer
Feb 01, 2018
Somebody on here recoated the roof of his MH or 5th wheel with some rubber paint on compound. I remember he posted a video of the process. He did all the work himself, but I don't remember who it was.
I would check the roof myself to see if there is rot and then proceed with necessary work.
kevden
Explorer
Feb 01, 2018
Our previous camper rubber roof had cracking, a few small holes and it was dry and powdery. I recoated it with liquid epdm and wrapped the edges and roof penetrations with eternabond. It worked great.
spoon059
Explorer II
Feb 01, 2018
Bumpyroad wrote:
does this have a rubber roof? what is "painting" going to fix?????????
bumpy

I think/hope he means liquid EPDM.

OP, I had an old tear on my camper when I bought it used and had some associated rot. I cut back the roofing membrane and exposed the rotted wood. I replaced the plywood decking and the rotted 2x2's myself. After I got the structure put back together I mixed up some liquid EPDM material and "painted" it on. The liquid EPDM bonds to the wood and the existing EPDM roof and made it a seamless repair. I then wrapped the edges of the roof with Eternabond, because I wasn't able to wrap the EPDM back under the edge moldings.

That fix cost me about $100 in parts and a weekend in labor. I sold the camper 2 years later, still leak free. I would suggest you look into that method as the most cost effective and likely involving the least amount of work.

https://www.epdmcoatings.com/liquid-roof.php

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