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murfx2004's avatar
murfx2004
Explorer
Nov 13, 2017

Travel Trailer Rubber Roof Repair Options. Help needed ASAP

Hello, everyone. My name is Alex and I'm new to the forum. I picked up a 2001 Coachmen Catalina 26 foot travel trailer with slide out back in September. I've been full-timing in it since then and making minor repairs as needed. While I was setting up a tarp to cover the slide out (because I need a new seal and it leaks a bit), I noticed that there were a few soft spots on the roof. Some spots are worse than others and the wood is so rotted underneath that the rubber roof is just suspended on it. This poses a problem for me as I live in New Jersey and we are bound to get snow, which I'm sure this roof won't be able to support. The roof itself is not leaking at all right now.

What are the repair options here other than replacing the whole roof? I have seen some people peel back the roof and replace the rotted wood, then glue it back down and seal it. I thought about that, but this is in several spots, not all near the edge. I can't think of much else besides tossing some plywood on top and hoping for the best.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.
  • murfx2004's avatar
    murfx2004
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2017
    Does the EDPM liquid roof have any strength to it? If it's too pliable, it won't do me much good unless I can repair the wood underneath the rubber.

    I thought about the idea of a carport too, but I'm in tight quarters, so I might have fitment issues, however it would be the easiest option if I can find a way to make it fit.

    Thank you for all the ideas so far. I'm going to make something work to get through the winter.
  • hilandfrog's avatar
    hilandfrog
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2017
    NOT an RV expert or even that smart sometimes :)

    there is this stuff one can apply to roofs, not a great fix but may get you through...

    It's thick like cake frosting, the kind I've applied to an old shed was white, laid it on about 1/2" thick. Was a little like spray foam when dried.

    It'd last for the winter but so would a tarp, but IF one wanted to use the camper it may do the trick, even with less than stellar structure under it.

    Ames snow seal Premium roof coatings, True value has it for 35.99, 1 gal. 1 gal does 100 SF.


    I just did my own home made trusses and then applied a EDPM roof, time consuming and I'm out ~$500 total for the rubber, primer, glue and wood for trusses and 1/4 ply for roof. Of course one would want to ensure the wall wood was stong then strip off old roof, attach trusses to side walls insulate, puddy screw holes and sand apply, primer to wood. then the gluing down of EDPM.. watch lots of Videos... :)

    Happy camping.
  • CarnationSailor's avatar
    CarnationSailor
    Nomad
    Nov 13, 2017
    I had a new Rhino Coatings roof installed last year, and I think you would be wasting your time looking into it or the Roof Armor coating because neither vendor is going to apply the coating over a rotted roof. They will insist on repairing the structure first.
  • murfx2004's avatar
    murfx2004
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2017
    No offense taken. I should have looked it over more carefully, but I've learned the hard way. Does the liquid roof dry hard or rubbery at all or is it mostly just a sealer? There are two spots that are like a trampoline, where the rubber sags in the middle when lightly pushed and then springs back. Also, I could be wrong about the roof leaking, but I don't experience any drips. It makes sense that it must leak somewhere for the wood underneath to rot out. My goal is to make it through the winter and then probably pick up a camper that's in better shape since it's probably not worth replacing the roof on this, even if I do it myself. The RV Roof Armor seems promising compared to total replacement, but the fact that there are no prices listed online and they send the technician out to apply it means it'll definitely be over budget for me.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2017
    I think you may be wrong about the roof not leaking, unless you made some repairs on it. You may not see any water from the ceiling because it either sits on top of the ceiling panels or exits inside a wall.

    If you do just want to slap a band-aid on it to get through Winter, I'd suggest 6 mil polyethylene and secure that onto the roof with some overhang over the walls. If you get black plastic and have light snowfalls, a lot of what falls may melt and runoff.

    An alternative to replacing the rubber membrane is to use a purpose-made roof coating that is similar to truck bed liner. It is more expensive than a new rubber membrane but some folks are having real good luck with the coatings.

    roof armor
  • lawrosa's avatar
    lawrosa
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2017
    No offense but you should of looked before you aquired the camper... It will be expensive repair and probably not worth the price of the trailer.. If your handy you can do it yourself. But if you never done it before it will be a daunting task..

    My old coachmen had a small spot with no wood in the corner ( 2003) and I just liquid roofed it and put eternabond tape over that part with no wood..

    I got rid of that trailer as there was mold in the walls from that leak and it was a health hazard.. I disclosed all this to the new owner...

    It it dont leak dont worry about it...

    How bad can it be that you dont think it will hold up snow?

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