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
Dec 19, 2019
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.
TurnThePage
Explorer
Dec 19, 2019
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!
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Dec 19, 2019
“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.

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What is going on with this roof?

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