Need tips on rubber roof install

I bought my first travel trailer a year ago. 28 foot, Fleetwood, Pioneer. Got a "deal" and found much rotted wood on the roof. Was really concerned about cost of replacing the roof. Heard numbers like $6000! Found DIY videos on Youtube. Didn't look so bad.

I waited for a three day stretch with no rain in the forecast. Took the old roof off, replaced all rotted wood, including one entire 4x8 sheet of plywood where the air conditioner sits. The original was pressed wood but I used a similar thickness of regular ply. Then replaced the rubber roof according to the directions I got with the install kit. So far, no leaks from the roof.

I got the install kit and rubber roof from Camper World for about $1300. The only complaint I had was they recommended I buy two install kits which gave me 4 gallons of adhesive. I was as generous as I felt comfortable with and used slightly more than one! I have lots of butyl tape and self leveling chalk left. Those I should be able to use as I continue to work on the camper.

I did most of the work myself (I'm 56 and in average shape). Only needed help getting the air conditioner off and back on the roof and my wife helped me spread the rubber after I applied the adhesive just to keep in straight.

I write all this to give you encouragement. It's not as bad as I thought it would be. Most important thing I have learned about campers is: Regular maintenance is a must!

Good luck!

If you replace any of the roof sheathing, before gluing the new rubber down, fill all the cracks and screw holes with a patching material. The stuff sold at the Big Box stores for filling floor sheathing prior to vinyl installation, works well.

thanks for the tips so far!
Dicor has a pretty good video in Youtube.
Any other tips appreciated!

Just days ago, I finished a roof replacement on our 34-foot motorhome. I used the thin lauan panels, construction adhesive underneath, and lots of screws. I chose a PVC roof as replacement, wanting to avoid maintenance. Some of the old roof was unattached and some was stuck so firmly that trying to remove it was tearing the old plywood apart.

On our RV, all edges are underneath aluminum strips. I used butyl caulk underneath the sheet, underneath the aluminum trim strip, over every screw head, and along the edges after the plastic trim strip was installed.

I made notes about the install, but have not composed it yet. For our motorhome, the job took about 40 hours. Other than positioning the air conditioners on the new roof, I did the job entirely myself.

There are several good videos on Youtube. Do remember that the glue and caulk can be different for different roof materials.

Matt B

Sounds like something that might be on YouTube.

Plywood can be a bit rough or uneven in it's surface. Most builders use a layer of luan paneling to attach the rubber to.