Forum Discussion

hbrady's avatar
hbrady
Explorer
Apr 18, 2016

My TT Roof

This weekend I finally got my new Maxx Fan installed, it wasn't a difficult project but my back and knees are now killing me. Big reason for that is I'm not a small guy, I'm 5'10" 270lbs, being on my knees peeling off all that old Dicor was tedious but it was a nice sunny day :B

So, after I was done I proudly stood up and decided to walk to the front of the TT and raise my radio antenna which my son lowered last fall before we put the cover on. As I was walking I felt the roof flex a bit more than I'm used to and heard the unmistakable sound of plywood cracking under excessive weight. When I walked back I noticed the section I was on when I heard that seemed slightly indented. The picture below doesn't show it well but the area outlined is noticeably indented to the point water may pool there when it rains. I'm guessing 270 is too big to walk on TT roof?


Now, how worried should I be? I don't think water incursion will be an issue and I'll just avoid stepping in that area but when I go to sell it could be an issue. I have insurance, not sure if it covers fat as* dummy mistakes but maybe I should file a claim and get the roof replaced? Just wondering if anyone else has had this happen and what you did (or didn't do).

8 Replies

  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Apr 19, 2016
    mosseater wrote:
    I think the roofs of most trailers are 3/8" plywood or OSB, so I don't walk around on mine. If I do, I use padded boards or pieces of foam to spread out the weight. I wash my roof with an extension brush and a ladder.


    Sadly enough, most are OSB, which is more brittle, and will crack easier than plywood, which will flex more before breaking.

    Good idea on the foam. I took a 4x8 sheet of extruded hard foam insulation 1 1/2 inches thick, and cut it into 4 pieces to walk/crawl on my roof for servicing. I can walk on my roof without issue, with my 175 lb wt, without using the foam, but it sure is a lot nicer to kneel on the foam board. It is also very light weight to move around, and will not scratch or cut rubber roof. Just don't expect it to stay put on a windy day!!

    Jerry
  • Aqua-Andy's avatar
    Aqua-Andy
    Explorer
    Apr 19, 2016
    I would not waste my time bringing it to a dealer. Without x ray vision no one will be able to see the extent of the damage. If you heard wood crack, something is broken. Pooling water is never good on a trailer, especially if it is near any seams in the roof. These roofs are not hard to replace, just don't purchase your products from an RV dealer as it will cost a small fortune. When I was replacing my roof the dealer wanted $800 for twenty five feet of 7mil RV roof material. I paid $100 for thirty feet of 30mil commercial rubber roofing and another $75 for a five gallon bucket of adhesive.
  • mosseater's avatar
    mosseater
    Explorer II
    Apr 19, 2016
    I think the roofs of most trailers are 3/8" plywood or OSB, so I don't walk around on mine. If I do, I use padded boards or pieces of foam to spread out the weight. I wash my roof with an extension brush and a ladder.
  • hbrady's avatar
    hbrady
    Explorer
    Apr 18, 2016
    Yea, guess I should have read the manual, instead I asked the previous owner who is as big as me and he said he walked around on it no problem. This could be expensive (if I bother fixing). Maybe I'll just trade it in next year ;)
  • scbwr's avatar
    scbwr
    Explorer II
    Apr 18, 2016
    If it were me, I'd have it checked by a good rv shop and see what they say. It may be a case where you should get it repaire now before it causes more problems. And, I wonder if they couldn't just open up a section of a roof to replace the plywood and repair any broken joists. Then, that section could be covered with new roofing material and Eternabond used over the seams.

    And, see what your insurance company says about it, especially if you didn't follow any manufacturer's guideline re using plywood for weight distribution or weight limitations.

    On the positive side....nice installation!!
  • hbrady's avatar
    hbrady
    Explorer
    Apr 18, 2016
    rbpru wrote:
    My Dutchmen Lite does not allow for walking on the roof. The manufacturer says it is not strong enough.

    They said if I need to walk on the roof to lay down sheets of plywood to spread the weight.


    Thanks :-)
  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Apr 18, 2016
    My Dutchmen Lite does not allow for walking on the roof. The manufacturer says it is not strong enough.

    They said if I need to walk on the roof to lay down sheets of plywood to spread the weight.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Apr 18, 2016
    Beautiful job on the vent install.
    and....I can't tell you how many times I have broken something while trying to fix something....:M

About Travel Trailer Group

44,054 PostsLatest Activity: Dec 18, 2025