We have a 2018 Heartland Trail Runner 34SLE. Coming home this weekend the rubber roofing material blew off all the way back to the air conditioner and even ripped off the antenna! Has anyone ever heard of this?? I tried calling the dealer about this and the other issues we have had after only three years with the camper (had to replace tires, window seals all shrunk, leak in the front; heater was broke and had to replace the circuit board, leaf spring cracked and had to be replaced, now have a window leak) but they said that there is nothing they can do because it is out of warranty and have to call Heartland. I just can’t comprehend why the roof would blow off after only three years, we even sealed everything this spring! The dealer said it would be $6-8k to repair I was just so floored.

Doesn't Heartland warranty the roof longer than the rest of the camper? Most manufacturers do. Seems like this says 12 year roof warranty.Regarding your window seals...have you been tightening the inner frame screws annually? That is an important maintenance item. Then replace the Butyl tape sealer after 10 years as it will dry out. The sealer does not really shrink, the flexing of the RV keeps compressing it every time you travel making retightening necessary. https://heartlandrvs.com/warranty/#summary

What roof maintenance have you completed in the last two years? Any pictures of the roof or maintenance? RVing since 1978 and I have never seen an RV roof on the side of the road.What do these items have to do with the RV’s roof? “had to replace tires, window seals all shrunk, leak in the front; heater was broke and had to replace the circuit board, leaf spring cracked and had to be replaced, now have a window leak)”

I am going to call them first thing Monday to see, I read in the owners guide that they cover roofing three years (we are at 3 years 2 months) but it did have a caveat that they wouldn’t cover the EPDM material, which is in theory what ripped off. Wish us luck, after putting $1,000 into this thing already it was really upsetting to have this happen, I guess the only positive is that with being due with baby number 2 in a month we didn’t have other trips scheduled this year.

garyemunson wrote:Doesn't Heartland warranty the roof longer than the rest of the camper? Most manufacturers do. Seems like this says 12 year roof warranty.Regarding your window seals...have you been tightening the inner frame screws annually? That is an important maintenance item. Then replace the Butyl tape sealer after 10 years as it will dry out. The sealer does not really shrink, the flexing of the RV keeps compressing it every time you travel making retightening necessary. https://heartlandrvs.com/warranty/#summaryThis has been recently discussed on another forum. The 12-year warranty by the manufacturer of the roof material is solely for the membrane material itself and does not cover installation (which likely caused your problem) or other issues. Rob

Well, at least others will be aware of Heartland problems.

Travel Trailer Rubber Roof Blew Off | Good Sam Community

30 Replies

deltabravo
Nomad
Jul 11, 2020
garyemunson wrote:
Doesn't Heartland warranty the roof longer than the rest of the camper? Most manufacturers do. Seems like this says 12 year roof warranty.

That would be the warranty on the actual roof membrane, not the fact that it stays attached to the RV.
Guy_Roan
Explorer
Jul 11, 2020
I am curious; Did your dealer get that trailer from a show ?
From an experience I had with a new trailer I have a feeling that the manufacturers pawn their rejects off at the shows

Guy
Blazing_Zippers
Explorer II
Jul 11, 2020
Ah----Been There! Our POS 2016 Cougar fifth wheel roof came loose so badly that I could actually adjust the rear view mirror and see the balloon. We took it to a dealer and it was repaired for a fee. Just a couple months before, I had inspected all the roofing and nothing was amiss.
Your issue seems much more involved, I wish you success in finding a solution. Issues like these makes one hate RVing. Hopefully readers on here take note and remember when buying a rig.
HappyKayakers
Explorer III
Jul 11, 2020
jdc1 wrote:
Well, at least others will be aware of Heartland problems.

I've seen a number of trailers cruising down the interstate with a big roof bubble going on at the front of the trailer. Pretty sure it settles down when they stop driving. Not necessarily just a Heartland problem.
kellem
Explorer
Jul 11, 2020
Wow, can't say I've ever heard of roof blowing off, very unfortunate.

Personally would screw back on with washers and lots of Dicor lap sealant vs spending thousands.
jdc1
Explorer II
Jul 11, 2020
Well, at least others will be aware of Heartland problems.
Second_Chance
Explorer II
Jul 10, 2020
garyemunson wrote:
Doesn't Heartland warranty the roof longer than the rest of the camper? Most manufacturers do. Seems like this says 12 year roof warranty.

Regarding your window seals...have you been tightening the inner frame screws annually? That is an important maintenance item. Then replace the Butyl tape sealer after 10 years as it will dry out. The sealer does not really shrink, the flexing of the RV keeps compressing it every time you travel making retightening necessary.

https://heartlandrvs.com/warranty/#summary

This has been recently discussed on another forum. The 12-year warranty by the manufacturer of the roof material is solely for the membrane material itself and does not cover installation (which likely caused your problem) or other issues.

Rob
Lscott88
Explorer
Jul 10, 2020
I am going to call them first thing Monday to see, I read in the owners guide that they cover roofing three years (we are at 3 years 2 months) but it did have a caveat that they wouldn’t cover the EPDM material, which is in theory what ripped off. Wish us luck, after putting $1,000 into this thing already it was really upsetting to have this happen, I guess the only positive is that with being due with baby number 2 in a month we didn’t have other trips scheduled this year.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jul 10, 2020
What roof maintenance have you completed in the last two years? Any pictures of the roof or maintenance? RVing since 1978 and I have never seen an RV roof on the side of the road.

What do these items have to do with the RV’s roof? “had to replace tires, window seals all shrunk, leak in the front; heater was broke and had to replace the circuit board, leaf spring cracked and had to be replaced, now have a window leak)”
garyemunson
Explorer II
Jul 10, 2020
Doesn't Heartland warranty the roof longer than the rest of the camper? Most manufacturers do. Seems like this says 12 year roof warranty.

Regarding your window seals...have you been tightening the inner frame screws annually? That is an important maintenance item. Then replace the Butyl tape sealer after 10 years as it will dry out. The sealer does not really shrink, the flexing of the RV keeps compressing it every time you travel making retightening necessary.

https://heartlandrvs.com/warranty/#summary

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Travel Trailer Rubber Roof Blew Off

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