Forum Discussion

js6343js6343's avatar
js6343js6343
Explorer
Mar 10, 2017

Roof Separation - Help!

I own a 2011 Keystone Sprinter. Last summer while traveling out west, we experienced a complete separation of the EPDM rubber from the front end cap. I thought my caulk was solid but I guess not. The entire length separated from port to starboard. It resulted in an enormous 6 wide, 3 foot high bubble at highway speed. I had no choice but to try to tape it down with awning tape and limp back home. It was white knuckle stress all the way back. (600 miles) I count myself lucky to have not lost the entire roof in transit.

Anyway, I have searched this forum for roof separation and have found surprisingly nothing.

Has anyone experienced this type of failure? Any repair ideas? Was it a success? I would appreciate any input. My plan is to try Eternabond on the joint between the roof and endcap, but I am really afraid that this failure is going to be a nightmare.

Thanks in advance.

18 Replies

  • Same problem on my 2015 Keystone. Was 1700 MI from home, but at the in laws so I had a little to work with. They had skimped on the glue towards the front and it pulled loose. I removed all the trim and rolled the membrane back 6'. Glued it back down with 3m spray contact cement. Got a couple wrinkles, but not bad.
    I would have liked to reglue it properly, but the deck needs to be replaced for that, and I was not equipped for that.
  • This is really depressing. If the Eternabond does not hold it down I may try and tack it down.

    Or maybe I just cut it back and apply adhesive then glue it down followed by eternabond on the cuts?

    Looking for any addtional feed back. THis is nuts. Its just a 5 year old camper and I am not spending 4K for a new roof.
  • If I had to replace a membrane for any reason I would NEVER spend more $$ on any membrane. I had a failed membrane in late 2015 and in January 2016 I installed This. It was essentially the same price as a new rubber roof and 15 months later I definitely made the right decision. Night before last we had a major thunderstorm and lots of limbs were falling all around the campground. Two campers reported rubber roof damage due to falling limbs. I was hit a couple of times and no damage here.

    I have said before, if I bought a brand new RV today, I would have the roof sprayed tomorrow before I ever moved in. IMHO any rubber roof is going to leak. The question is when and will it be visible or destroy your rig before you notice it? My rubber roof membrane failed and was leaking through the membrane after 5 years in service. Not a caulking issue - failed membrane.

    Off of soap box. It is going to be a great day at the campground.
  • wow, wonders never cease. The "technique" probably costs little and if it doesn't work, you have little to lose since the next step is membrane replacement... although maybe the alternative might be slitting the membrane down the middle (and lead edge), folding it back, apply adhesive and then fold back down... trimming any "stretch extra" and caulking the slices. Similar to laying linoleum.
  • I have successfully used brass upholstery tacks and nailed it back down , put self leveling caulk on the nails and re-coated . Held for four years until I traded the fifth wheel in ! The tacks had ridges on the sides and I spaced them about every nine inches , about 20 feet on a 34 foot trailer .
    Two years ago I did it the same way on the first three feet on a TT . Because the roof was stretched out , I cut a slice in the rubber , tucked tight and nailed her down . Most will say this will not work , it did for me !
  • If you were on I90 westbound in mid-September I may have seen you. We were Eastbound so we had no chance to warn you/them. If yours was similar I can't imagine it's repairable 'cause it must be stretched out considerably. I feel for you.
  • I dont think it was the caulking's fault. The membrane should have been glued down.
    I'm afraid you may just have to get a new roof unless the material can be re-secured.

    Best of luck to you.

    Scott