Forum Discussion

Samanthahhi's avatar
Samanthahhi
Explorer
Aug 20, 2016

RV Roof Reseal

I had my 2-year old camper's annual roof inspection by the dealership and they say the roof needs to be reseal. The cost is $325. FYI...the roof is a rubber material and we live in SC and I have not had an rv cover on it.

I keep thinking, if I do the reseal myself, I could put that $325 towards a proper rv cover. However, the reseal brings up many questions.

1) They say it needs a reseal. What, if any, questions should I ask the service department? Like...show me where it needs to be resealed?

2) When they reseal, do they remove the prior seal and reseal or do they just add more caulk over the former seal? Seems I can do that myself?

3) From those of you who have done this before, is it a pain in the ass that I should just go ahead and pay to have done properly or is it one of those...I-really-should-have-done-it-myself...kind of things?

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

Oh! And the sun has totally torched my decals...so I may ask for them to go ahead and remove those while they are at it. Just the ones at the very front - all cracked and peeled. I tried and I am worried I will mess up the fiberglass.

Were they just cheaply made and applied or does everyone have that problem?

Thanks everyone!

Samantha

20 Replies

  • Just checking on the forum (being a newbie) - Do all trailers support a person walking around on the roof? Or is this a ladder job? Figured I'd better ask for when I have to do this myself!

    Dutchmen Kodiak 24RBSL if that matters
  • deltabravo wrote:
    Search YouTube for videos.... lots of good stuff there.


    this!
    i dont own a TT yet but after doing days of research i have a new idea of what is being discussed. no it wont make you a pro but i will give you an idea of what is being talked about, and some even have the steps. the only thing you don't get is the time involved.
    for instance one guy took 6 days and 30 hours for the guy to replace a part. but, still its knowledge. its priceless none the less.
  • That is pure profit for the dealer. That's about 15 minutes of "work", $10 to $20 in Dicor and about $280-$300 in profit. You can do the same thing for WAY cheaper... or you can buy and (properly) install Eternabond tape which will last the life of your camper (if properly installed).
  • westend wrote:
    There's going to be a lot of different answers to your questions because of the nebulous term "reseal". I'd suggest to make the dealer explain what they are going to do. In fact, that is a good strategy with any service being done on anything.


    Ditto. Only the dealer can tell you "what is going to be done"

    Me personally, iI can run a caulking gun, which means I can do the job myself for the cost of a tube of Dicor, or 2, or 3. They are about $10 each. *I think).
  • Yeah...when I got off the phone with the service dept., I started thinking...what does "reseal" actually mean? I've paid $180 for them to "inspect" the roof and never thought to ask them what that entails? Better be the whole 9-yards I have since researched should be happening on an inspection. So...I will definitely ask these important questions.

    Thanks for the advice on the dicor products. I managed to install a Maxair Hood in the middle of Crater National Park, ID. I think I can do this other stuff as well. The guide is a huge help! I was wondering where the heck those dark streaks were coming from.

    Thank you!
  • There's going to be a lot of different answers to your questions because of the nebulous term "reseal". I'd suggest to make the dealer explain what they are going to do. In fact, that is a good strategy with any service being done on anything.

    Most dealers are going to go on the roof and apply new caulk over the old. Dicor sealants can be treated in this manner. You can't just put any sealant on the EPDM roof. It needs to be one that adheres, has longevity, and won't interact badly with the rubber membrane
  • I just got off the rubber roof of my 34' 5er. It's a big roof. The only resealing I do is get up there once a year with a can of Heng's rubber roof coating and paint it on. I look for cracks in the caulk. Never had a 'reseal', especially not at only 2 years.

    Had a stubborn skylight leak that nothing but the above would fix.