Forum Discussion

I-10bound's avatar
I-10bound
Explorer
Dec 25, 2016

The seal on older Class B's

I'm thinking I'll go with an old class B as my first RV. I find comfort in there being steel surrounding me. And I think it will be the perfect size for just me, and maybe my brother joining me for a trip. I plan on doing many trips to the big city...Los Angeles. So a B will be easy to maneuver around the city and find parking in.

Back to the RV though. One thing I do wonder about older B's such as your mid 90's Roadtreks and PW's, is how does that rooftop seal hold up over the years? Do they require maintenance, if so how? Once they install that topper on the van, I don't think it's designed to be taken off again is it?. But on some older models, you see rust developing around this seal. Is it generally superficial rust, or dust it run underneath the rubber seal?

Have any of you all ever had leaks in this area? And how did you go about fixing it.

New year coming up, time to get this RV lifestyle happening. Thanks!

-Matt from Phoenix, AZ-
Class B
  • mlts22's avatar
    mlts22
    Explorer
    Dec 26, 2016
    Check for a place that can do a Sealtech test. Essentially this is where a fan is put in, everything else is taped off, soapy water is sprayed on the outside, and it is noted where bubbles form as a potential water ingress point. This will give you definite knowledge, far better than finding out when it is raining.

    As for class "B"s, I notice that very few are rendered to scrap due to leaks. I would ascribe part of it because the factory metal roof is a lot more durable than fiberglass or trash-bag thin rubber roofing materials, as well as the build quality tends to be a tad better.
  • coolmom42's avatar
    coolmom42
    Explorer II
    Dec 25, 2016
    If it's one from Arizona, you likely won't have water damage. But do check for sun damage to all the roof and wall penetration seals, as well as tires. You don't want water damage the first time you DO get in some rain.
  • I-10bound's avatar
    I-10bound
    Explorer
    Dec 25, 2016
    RnRs-RT wrote:
    I-10bound
    I have a 99 RoadTrek and have had no problem with the roof or have I heard of any problems. What I have found is that most "B"s have been well taken care of,a few exceptions. Most people form an attachment to their "B"s, treat them well and a lot have complete records of all the maintenance. I usually put at least two coats of wax on the fiber glass roof and at least one coat on the body every year.
    I also keep it under roof/ carport, out of the sun, rain and snow.
    Bob, from the NE


    That's good to know, thanks. Hopefully I'll find one that has spent most of it's time in AZ.
  • RnRs-RT's avatar
    RnRs-RT
    Explorer
    Dec 25, 2016
    I-10bound
    I have a 99 RoadTrek and have had no problem with the roof or have I heard of any problems. What I have found is that most "B"s have been well taken care of,a few exceptions. Most people form an attachment to their "B"s, treat them well and a lot have complete records of all the maintenance. I usually put at least two coats of wax on the fiber glass roof and at least one coat on the body every year.
    I also keep it under roof/ carport, out of the sun, rain and snow.
    Bob, from the NE

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