Roof Shot on Travel Trailer

K3WE wrote:
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. ;-)

BUT

Over 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)

15 yr old TT is not worth $11K without a bad roof or rot, more like $3K.. I see 15 yr old trailers all the time on Craigslist with asking prices well below $11K.. But keep in mind that is what they are asking, what they are getting is often a lot less than asking price..

Now with that said, $7K for a roof replacement sounds pretty darn high, I would expect a bit closer to $4K or perhaps a bit less even if repairs need made.

Now, you might get the idea that it isn't worth fixing and you would be correct except for the fact that YOU LIKE it and it is paid for.

A new trailer would cost a lot more than repairing the old one and you might not find one that you like as much.

I would suggest seeking out a second opinion on the roof condition and if it really needs replaced.

As far as disposing of your trailer IF you decide to buy another one instead of fixing.. Simple, SELL or TRADE.

Post on Craigslist at a REASONABLE price (see and reread my comments above that it IS NOT A $11K trailer even on a good day) with the disclosure that a new roof may be needed. Someone like myself who likes projects (and cheap at that) will snap it up when reasonably priced.

Yeah, I bought a 30 yr old trailer for $700, replaced siding and rood plus completely gutted and rebuilt the interior.. All told about $4K in materials and nearly 2 yrs of working on it my spare time..

Designed and built the way I want it and best of all, completely paid for with cash.. Priceless! :B

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.

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.

$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.

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.

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.