Hi we are new to travel trailers. And we just bought a 1986 roadranger that needed a little work.... so I thought. We have now realized that the roof has leaking, all the windows have leaking, the screws on the back right corner will not stay in because the wood is rotted and a bunch of the floor boards. Soooo we have a long road ahead of us. I was thinking we should start with the roof first, any opinions? The roof is aluminum and is in 3-4 sections. The roof vents were just replaced but sealed wrong so we will reseal them and check for water damage around them but Im not sure if there is leaking coming from any other spots. the seams look like a black substance was put down first, then someone caulked over that and then painted just the seams white. I think the seams need to be resealed should I scrape it clean and then apply enternabond tape? I am was going to use butyl tape and dicor self leveling lap sealant to do the air vents. Should I also do that with the other things sticking up on the roof? one other concern is should I coat the aluminum roof with anything?

“the roof has leaking, all the windows have leaking, the screws on the back right corner will not stay in because the wood is rotted and a bunch of the floor boards.“ And “roof vents were just replaced but sealed wrong so we will reseal them and check for water damage.”You want a project for a couple of years or do you want to go camping? If the latter, dump that TT, charge it off to a learning experience and buy another one that you inspect completely before buying.

Lwiddis wrote:“the roof has leaking, all the windows have leaking, the screws on the back right corner will not stay in because the wood is rotted and a bunch of the floor boards.“ And “roof vents were just replaced but sealed wrong so we will reseal them and check for water damage.”You want a project for a couple of years or do you want to go camping? If the latter, dump that TT, charge it off to a learning experience and buy another one that you inspect completely before buying.I'm in agreement. I think you're going to find yourself buried in repairing wood rot, and all that goes with it. Definitely a great learning experience, if nothing else. Best of luck!

Yes this is going to be longer than we thought but we are not afraid of tackling the wood rot. I just need to know what to do with the roof. Or should we start somewhere else first? But no matter what I need to know what to do with the roof.

Hence wrote:Yes this is going to be longer than we thought but we are not afraid of tackling the wood rot. I just need to know what to do with the roof. Or should we start somewhere else first? But no matter what I need to know what to do with the roof.Lighter fluid and a match.Seriously, it sounds like a total rebuild is needed. It will take thousands of hours and more money than a new one would cost.

I would wash the roof to remove the loose dirt. Then use a heat gun and putty knife to soften and remove the black stuff.Next I would use mineral spirits to clean the remaining black stuff from around the seams.Then cover the seams with Eternabond.For any horizontal areas you can't apply Eternabond, use Dicor Self Leveling Lap Sealant.I would do the roof first. There's no point repairing the walls if the roof is leaking. Unless you have indoor storage/work area.Then it won't matter where you start.

What is going on with this roof? | Good Sam Community

43 Replies

Hence
Explorer
Jan 06, 2020
Is there a way to post pictures from your phone? I can’t download them to my computer until I get it fixed.
Hence
Explorer
Jan 06, 2020
IMG_9294.HEIC
GrandpaKip
Explorer II
Jan 06, 2020
Hence wrote:
GrandpaKip wrote:
Hence wrote:
Should I use grovel or Dicor non-sag around the windows and where the panels meet the roof?

I would use either Lexel or Geocel, but definitely not grovel.

Sorry I meant to say geocel but did not see that auto correct had changed it. Thank you for the help.

You’re welcome. Just trying to throw some levity out there. I shoulda put a smiley or something on there. ;-)
Hence
Explorer
Jan 06, 2020
GrandpaKip wrote:
Hence wrote:
Should I use grovel or Dicor non-sag around the windows and where the panels meet the roof?

I would use either Lexel or Geocel, but definitely not grovel.

Sorry I meant to say geocel but did not see that auto correct had changed it. Thank you for the help.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Jan 03, 2020
When you get the structure back in good shape and the metal skins back on then is the to install windows....doors....roof jacks and fixtures. Simply reinstall them like OEM which is butyl tape first. I use a wooden tongue depressor or plastic putty knife and remove the excess squeezed out. Then is the time to Use a self leveling sealant over the screws and where the butyl squeezed out.
Same butyl tape under the windows and doors flanges just like the everything on the roof. Using a sealant on a vertical surface is optional.
My '97 31' 5th wheel trailer windows and doors have no secondary sealant ...just the butyl tape. No leaks....but I do my usual yearly check on everything.
Most aluminum roofing in that era was seamless by then. If so and your adding a coat be sure and use white.
I did this type work part time on mobilehomes and rvs back in the '60s and '70s. Todays sealants are amazing compared to tar and caulking that got rock hard back then.
Jebby14
Explorer
Jan 03, 2020
hopefully you have somewhere sheltered to work on it. if not id start with that. next strip out all the appliances and plumbing and everything useful. then demo the rotted box off the frame. next service the frame, this is a good time to clean up any rust and weld in any supports and patches. then start building the box you want in the configuration you want. reinstall the appliances electrical and plumbing as you build. then put a lid on it and cover it.

been there, I wouldn't do it again and I did ok with mine (bought for 2k, spent 1100) sold for 1800 5 years later.

don't expect to be using it this season unless you have WAY more time than I do to work on it.
OleManOleCan
Explorer
Jan 03, 2020
Hence wrote:
Hi we are new to travel trailers. And we just bought a 1986 roadranger that needed a little work.... so I thought. We have now realized that the roof has leaking, all the windows have leaking, the screws on the back right corner will not stay in because the wood is rotted and a bunch of the floor boards. Soooo we have a long road ahead of us. I was thinking we should start with the roof first, any opinions? The roof is aluminum and is in 3-4 sections. The roof vents were just replaced but sealed wrong so we will reseal them and check for water damage around them but Im not sure if there is leaking coming from any other spots. the seams look like a black substance was put down first, then someone caulked over that and then painted just the seams white. I think the seams need to be resealed should I scrape it clean and then apply enternabond tape? I am was going to use butyl tape and dicor self leveling lap sealant to do the air vents. Should I also do that with the other things sticking up on the roof? one other concern is should I coat the aluminum roof with anything?

That's a really big project. I'd think about it before I committed the time and money to tackle it.

You have bought a money pit.
GrandpaKip
Explorer II
Jan 02, 2020
Hence wrote:
Should I use grovel or Dicor non-sag around the windows and where the panels meet the roof?

I would use either Lexel or Geocel, but definitely not grovel.
Hence
Explorer
Jan 02, 2020
Should I use grovel or Dicor non-sag around the windows and where the panels meet the roof?
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Dec 22, 2019
Once you remove the outside skins then you can see better how the cabinets are installed.
Most metal sided skins are installed top to bottom and removed bottom to top. These type panels may use a pittsburg type joint with maybe staples only on the pittsburg flange and/or hex head screws holding the panels.