Repair or replace roof?

Thanks everyone. We really appreciate your advice and feedback.

We have decided to have the dealer repair the roof of the TT. We will use the big insurance check to pay down the trailer and then will sell it ourselves. We'll ask about $9k, accept $7k, and anything more than $5k is more than the dealer was giving us.

We bought a 5th wheel today that will fit our growing family and we are very excited about it. We'll pick it up next weekend and be ready for Memorial Day! I'm also instituting a new rule: No backing up the rig without a spotter. :)

Happy camping!

Yelnad,

Did you buy the trailer outright or take a loan out?

If you took a loan out keep in mind that the insurance company will most likely write a two party check. It'll have your name and the banks name on the payee line.

Most banks will not give you the cash and will want to use it to pay down the balance of the loan.

Just something to keep in mind.

Wow this is an easy one to answer:

Step 1: Take the insurance money for the full roof replacement and pocket it.
Step 2: Fix the roof yourself with eternabond tape. Its super easy and is a good solid, long lasting repair. Estimated cost with tools less than $100.
Step 3: Sell the camper yourself on ebay, craigslist, etc
Step 4: Profit $$$

You could keep the insurance claim money for roof replacement, do the repair yourself and sell the unit for about half way between the 2 trade in values. Just be upfront with the buyers about the problem, not cost, and the reasons for wanting a larger unit. You may be selling someone else dream deal.

I have sold a TC and a TT with roof problems. The TT had hail damage on a 18 yr old with alum roof. Just dented up but with the age the insurance totaled it. A yr later I bought a 5er and sold the the TT to the first couple that looked at it. $3,000 insurance and I kept the TT then sold for $2,600 not bad for a 18 yr old TT with single slide. I told them everything we had fixed over the years, showed them the roof and even told the guy who was taller than me that I always hit my head on the slide.

I bought a popup TC with a damaged roof and fixed it myself. I used to have pics of the repair on here and included the address in the ad. Took one trip to Alaska and sold it in less than a yr after I bought it. It was always planned to be a one trip wonder. Again the first people to look at it bought it. $650 purchase and sold for $1,300.

Both units were sold on Craigslist. The TC took 2 days to sell and the TT 12 hrs. I had thoughts of becoming a RV dealer, then the DW slapped me up side the head.

ktmrfs wrote:

westend wrote:
Since your insurance rates will most likely increase so that the insurer can recoup the payout, I'd recommend to patch the roof yourselves. If the rest of the membrane is old and starting to fail, I would suggest to call a roofer in your area that does single ply flat roofs. Do not tell him what an RV repair shop will charge. The cost will be a fraction from a roofer compared to RV shops.

Hum..... I've NEVER had my insurance rates increase on my cars, house, rv etc. because of a claim. Now if you have many many claims, I imagine they would increase the rates. My trailer roof was replace last year under warranty. New insurance actually is a few dollars less than the year before. So much for an increase. They've already factored in claims in the insurance rates.

This hasn't been my experience, especially as of late, and especially with vehicle insurance. I have confirmed with my auto carrier that there exists correlation between claims and rates. An insured is allowed claim forgiveness based on policy length and claims history from some insurers. This is probably the reason that some of the companies advertise their "forgiveness" policy. It isn't always that way.

westend wrote:
Since your insurance rates will most likely increase so that the insurer can recoup the payout, I'd recommend to patch the roof yourselves. If the rest of the membrane is old and starting to fail, I would suggest to call a roofer in your area that does single ply flat roofs. Do not tell him what an RV repair shop will charge. The cost will be a fraction from a roofer compared to RV shops.

Hum..... I've NEVER had my insurance rates increase on my cars, house, rv etc. because of a claim. Now if you have many many claims, I imagine they would increase the rates. My trailer roof was replace last year under warranty. New insurance actually is a few dollars less than the year before. So much for an increase. They've already factored in claims in the insurance rates.

If you buy insurance for trailer damage and then don't use it on valid claims you may as well just not buy the insurance, your just pouring money down a rathole.

Since your insurance rates will most likely increase so that the insurer can recoup the payout, I'd recommend to patch the roof yourselves. If the rest of the membrane is old and starting to fail, I would suggest to call a roofer in your area that does single ply flat roofs. Do not tell him what an RV repair shop will charge. The cost will be a fraction from a roofer compared to RV shops.

yelnad wrote:
The insurance will cover the full roof replacement.

I wonder why you are asking the question then? If I were in your shoes its a no-brainer. This is exactly why you pay through the nose for insurance.

your TT will likely pay for a new roof less your deductible. In most states insurance is required to repair to "like new " condition. What that means is they must to replace the roof not repair the roof.

I had in incidence with a tree branch last fall, and got an estimate for roof replacement, Insurance agent came out took a look at the trailer and ok'd the replacement. A week later, new roof was on. All I paid was my deductible.

The insurance will cover the full roof replacement.