Eternabonding a New TT?

My '97 5er has had nothing but a bit of Dicor added to a few spots where the mfg sealant had small hairline cracks. The unit has never leaked as I do a twice a year roof inspection.
Eternabond is great stuff but is not a product you install and forget roof inspection.

Better ask your new trailer mfg and dealer about warranty issues before installing Eternabond up there...it can void the roof warranty as one RV.net member found out.

.trailernovice

Mission TX

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Joined: 10/25/2010
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Posted: 11/29/11 11:13am Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator
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A while back, I opened a thread asking whether eterna-bonding the roof seams on an almost-new TT as a preventative measure was a good idea ...the virtually unanimous opinion was 'yes'....


Well, took the TT to the selling dealer today for some minor work...rep. sees the tape job, asks 'why on earth did you DO that'?, and tells me that: a.) it's not necessary b.) it'll trap water if any water ever gets beneath the tape, and c.) any claim under the roof warranty may get kicked on grounds that the roof has been 'modified'....

thought i did the right thing by sealing the seams, but now not so sure....

westend wrote:

I then performed the first of a few pressurized leak tests. The first test showed about 20 leak areas, all of them near windows, through screw holes, or other gaps in the siding. No leaks were found in those areas where Eternabond tape was used. I perform the leak test almost annually and have had no leak problems since. I now believe that Eternabond tapes are superior to any caulk or sealant used.

If I was the OP, I'd clean up the roof joints and apply the tapes. He should have no more sealing maintenance for the life of his trailer.

May I ask how can you perform a "Pressurized" leak test? There are so many gaps, hose line passages, slide-out gaps that I would find it nearly impossible to do so. I would love to know how.

P.S. I really considering to do an Eternabond next spring.

My particular brand of trailer was renowned for roof leaks right from the factory. Inspecting it after I got it home revealed quite a few areas where I could see no caulk. I used Eternabond all the way around it. It has lived outdoors all year long for the last 11 years with no leaks. I would (and will) do it again in a heartbeat.

icanon wrote:

DutchmenSport wrote:
Good question, good way of thinking, but I think you be voiding your warranty, and running the risk is introducing bigger problems in the future. I "think" it's best to stick with he manufacture's method ... dicor.

I understand about the warranty but some manufacturers warranty is only 90 days to 6 months then what? I'm not conflicting with you but after the warranty it's up to the owner to decide how and what to do with maintenance.

Is Eternabond a better method? I don't know, is Eternabond life span worth it? Is Eternabond once weathered, worn or damaged is it easy to remove, replace or repair? Does Eternabond preforms well under hot to freezing temperatures to driving couple thousands miles per year with all vibrations twisting etc. I too, have questions on Eternabond and very interested in this product but still weighting on whether I should use it or not. Hopefully some can provide some insight on this product.

Thanks

There have been postings on the Forum where it is rumored that a salesman told a customer his warranty on the roof was voided by the use of Eternabond tape. It was not stated whether the owner was trying to enforce a warranty, needed to do so, or that what was communicated was fact or fiction. I file it under unproved Internet myth and not applicable. The use of Eternabond would make the point moot, regardless. If an owner installs it, he won't have a roof issue.

My story: I rebuilt my trailer, totally gutted it. In the repair process, the top wall framing plates were removed and replaced. The roof trim edge was removed and wall siding/roof membrane was loosened to facilitate the repairs.

When reinstalling all the pieces, a bead of elastomeric urethane caulk was placed between all the pieces removed or loosened--framing to siding, roof to framing, siding to trim edge, trim edge to roof. The first rain, I noticed a couple of very small leaks.

To stop the leaks I placed Eternabond tape on all of the roof joints and over the top of the aluminum trim edge. At this time I also sealed all siding joints with Proflex caulk.

I then performed the first of a few pressurized leak tests. The first test showed about 20 leak areas, all of them near windows, through screw holes, or other gaps in the siding. No leaks were found in those areas where Eternabond tape was used. I perform the leak test almost annually and have had no leak problems since. I now believe that Eternabond tapes are superior to any caulk or sealant used.

If I was the OP, I'd clean up the roof joints and apply the tapes. He should have no more sealing maintenance for the life of his trailer.

I put Eternabond on the roof of my RV a couple of years after purchasing it new in 2004. I did the front and back seams and every roof penetration area. It still looks as good today as when I put it on and I have never had any kind of leak. If I were to purchase a new rig today I would put it on first thing.
Barney

DutchmenSport wrote:
Good question, good way of thinking, but I think you be voiding your warranty, and running the risk is introducing bigger problems in the future. I "think" it's best to stick with he manufacture's method ... dicor.

I understand about the warranty but some manufacturers warranty is only 90 days to 6 months then what? I'm not conflicting with you but after the warranty it's up to the owner to decide how and what to do with maintenance.

Is Eternabond a better method? I don't know, is Eternabond life span worth it? Is Eternabond once weathered, worn or damaged is it easy to remove, replace or repair? Does Eternabond preforms well under hot to freezing temperatures to driving couple thousands miles per year with all vibrations twisting etc. I too, have questions on Eternabond and very interested in this product but still weighting on whether I should use it or not. Hopefully some can provide some insight on this product.

Thanks

Good question, good way of thinking, but I think you be voiding your warranty, and running the risk is introducing bigger problems in the future. I "think" it's best to stick with he manufacture's method ... dicor.

All the methods stated are valid. Do what you are comfortable with. It's all about stopping leaks before the damage becomes unrepairable.

SoundGuy wrote:

gbopp wrote:
You don't wait until your roof leaks to recaulk. You check it and caulk as needed.

Exactly ... you CAULK as needed. Trailers are manufactured with the seams CAULKED so it only makes sense to maintain that CAULKING with ......... wait for it ...... CAULK. :S

That aside, roof seams are easy to maintain, easy to spot any areas that may be failing ... but wall seams and countless wall intrusions are an entirely different matter, especially when the original sealant used is clear. I'd bet far more newer trailers leak through these than through the roof yet most don't even give it any thought at all, apparently including the OP. :R

Yes, I did say caulk. Maybe I should have said repair. :)

Anyway, it appears you are pro caulk and I am pro Eternabond. No point discussing that. ;)

If it was cheaper for the manufacturer to use Eternabond rather than caulk, which do you think they would chose?

I've had no leaks or problems along the seams covered by Eternabond. It's been on for 7 years and require no maintenance.

Enjoy your travels.

On my last trailer ,I placed a strip of Eternabond over the area where the front cap met the roof line , and the same on the back. It always seemed as though that area could be prone to leaks. Or even worse , separation of the roof material from under the seam..