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CarnationSailor's avatar
Jul 29, 2016

Problem with Rubber Roof

I have a 2015 36-foot Crossroads Rushmore 5th-wheel purchased in December 2014 so it was 6 months out of warranty when the problem occurred.

While driving from Glyndon, MN to Bismarck, ND on 6/25/2016, and from Bismarck, ND to Medora, ND on 6/26/2016, we were driving west into a dead-on head wind of 25 mph with gusts to 40 or 45 mph. This was a total of about 350 miles as the strong winds were present all day, both days.

After positioning the trailer at the Medora Campgrounds campsite, I noticed a ripple in the rubber roof membrane about 2-feet to the rear of the joint at the front fiberglass cap.

Also, there was a gap in the caulking almost the entire length of the joint between the fiberglass cap and the roof membrane. The membrane had moved toward the rear about 3/4-inch and taken half of the caulking with it, leaving a gap in the caulking. Note: The edge of the membrane never came out from under the fiberglass cap.

I was able to work the ripple forward and back under the fiberglass cap, and mostly closed-up the gap in the caulking, but it needed sealant applied as the joint was no longer water-tight. I found a local RV tech who installed a patch over the gap which we hoped would get us home where a more complete repair could be done.

After we arrived home, I noted that the ripples had once again appeared plus there was an indication that the membrane had started to pull out from the left and right side rain gutters as well. The rubber membrane was no longer glued to the plywood for at least the first 12 feet back from the fiberglass cap, maybe even further back.

My question is what options should be possible for fixing the roof? My expectation was that the rubber membrane could be re-glued to the plywood since it is still intact with no cuts or tears; however, my dealer tells me that the only fix that will prevent future problems is to completely replace the roof (rubber membrane) to the tune of $9000. The service manager says that the existing membrane has been stretched by the wind, and it will never lay down correctly again.

Has anyone gone thru a similar problem, and if so, how was it repaired?

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