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Roof repair and renewal

theotherbart
Explorer
Explorer
Looking at the roof of my 2000 Thor 21RB Class C, there's significant cracking in all of the caulked seams and the roof surface itself looks a little worn. I'd like to redo it in the spring but I wanted some input into the process. This is our first RV, but I'm fairly handy. I want a reliable system that will last, but at the same time it doesn't make sense spending more money than necessary on a relatively old rig. So here's what I had in mind:

Eternabond tape over all of the seams and around all of the penetrations (antenna, vents, etc.). But which flavor of Eternabond? Their website has many options and the differences aren't clear to me.

Then recoat the entire roof. But with what? The literature I have on this model says it's a "rubberized" roof, but doesn't specify the actual material.

The other big question mark is a "soft" area around one of the plumbing vents. Obviously there's been a failure there that has let some water in, but not enough to show any signs of leakage inside the motorhome. I have no idea how to even begin approaching that repair. I know it isn't ideal, but what happens if I just seal the seam with the tape, recoat the roof, and leave it be? If I do need to cut into it and repair, what does that process look like?
20 REPLIES 20

Chopperbob
Explorer
Explorer
First clean it real good. Then apply Bus Kote.
I've done three so far. Google Bus Note.

Holiday27
Explorer
Explorer
Have a pressure test done. That will show where any leaks are.
2002 27PBS Holiday Rambler (Aluminum sided/roof) Love it!

Previous RV's
'94 Jamboree 22ft. (This beast had a 460 with tons of power)
'95 VW Eurovan camper (5 cyl. dog) Pulled a 3 rail fine though.
Tent:(
Borrowed folks '84 VW Westfalia (water cooled)

ScottnSherrie
Explorer
Explorer
I did a total roof rebuild in 2003 on my 1988. See the link in my signature.

A two part EPDM product like the prior link or Liquid Roof is easy to work with. Eternabond is not cheap but excellent for seams and edges.
88 Gulf Stream 34' Sun Vista, Ford 460, Edelbrock Perfomer carb, Thorley headers
Ford F-250 crew cab 4X4, 6.0 turbo diesel
complete roof rebuild
daughter 19, son 16
US Army Desert Storm vets (both of us)
left: The Ol' Gal right: DW with White Lightnin'

Ka_Ron
Explorer
Explorer
There is a two step system for rubber roofs

Here is a link to the manufacturer's website.

It is almost like a paint for rubber roofs.

Rubber Roof System

calamus
Explorer
Explorer
Several years ago on our first camper we had much of the same problem the roof leaked by the vent in the back and ran down the wall behind the shower wall. ruined the shower wall. To repair I was able to pull the wall down and glued boards on where it was rotted put FRP on the shower walls and patched the roof. only did what was needed to make it work. So ya I have that camper along time.and the camper is still rolling down the road today still going since 1981. SO I say just fix it and use it if it was not 14 years old already I would say fix it right. just enjoy it! they have gallon buckets of elasto something its white and is awesome stuff will stick to firestone roofing and everything else. We used it on our layton with a tin roof on all the seams works wonders tape off where you dont want it though
2015 3500HD Chevy Dually Duramax, 2008 Sundance 2014 22'SSX bennington pontoon

bigdave720
Explorer
Explorer
I'm subscribing to see what advice you get.
2001 Fleetwood Wilderness 31G