Winnebago Adventurer Roof issues

[fenwickfam]

Hi there! I'm hoping somebody out there has some insight for us on this topic:
We have a 2005 Winnebago Adventurer 38J
Over this past weekend (a very windy weekend, I might add!), we were traveling south on I-29. As a semi went by us (we were only traveling around 50 mph due to wind and visibility), we heard a noise. I told my husband that I thought he had blew a tire, as it was a sound I hadn't heard before. When he went to pull off at the exit, we heard an awful sound from above (like somebody wobbling a piece of sheet metal). When we got out of the MH to look, the tires were all fine, however, the roof wasn't. The roof had came out of the seam from above the driver door to behind the front slide out. I called our insurance company, who told us to secure it as much as we possibly could, and continue to drive it.
We used tape (all we had available) and drove it to the nearest campground. I spoke with the insurance company again on Saturday. Of course, no adjuster available, so was told to try to drive it home, and yes, they would still cover the damage if we drove it home. As we headed north on a back highway, the wind was once again terrible from the west, once again hitting us on the driver side. This time, it got under the tape, picked up the roof and tore it. Once again, I climbed up and taped it down as best I could... we turned around and went south and dropped the MH at our sons place, because there was no way we could get it home without even more damage.
Now, our insurance company today tells me that this is a common issue with Winnebago Adventurer roofs, and that they may not cover it.
Has anybody else run in to this problem? Is this a common Winnebago Adventurer problem? I did call one Winnebago dealer service shop that said that they are unaware of this being a common problem.
I would like any information anyone could help me with to argue with the insurance company about coverage on this.
Unfortunate timing, as I am changing insurance companies to the Good Sam Insurance as of October 4th. However, that doesn't change the fact that this occurred while under this insurance company.
Thanks for any information!!

[Jim_Norman]

Our first 'Motorhome' was a home built van conversion. An Olsen Aluminum delivery van circa 1960. The walls and roof were all 1/8" thick aluminum.

No roof or sidewall lamination issues. Sometimes I wonder why we don't do this now. Well I know, COST, a modern 35-40 foot MH built like this would cost a lot more and it might weigh enough to require a engine and transmission upgrade. BUT THE ROOF WOULD NOT PEEL!

[DryCreek]

Bruce Brown wrote:
They had a bulletin to do some of them...

Winnie Eternabond Fix

Thanks for that information. I found this thread and started wondering if I'd just bought a "pig in a poke". We haven't even picked up our Winnebago yet - we close on it tomorrow. It is a 2006 model Sightseer, 29R. Once I read the sensationalized stories of "roofs peeling up in high winds" I was thunderstruck. Then, I did some research. The YouTube factory tour was a good start. There I saw that the roof was structurally mounted with one aluminum channel interlocking with another on the wall unit. The interlocked joint was then coupled with self-tapping screws. After that, the offending flap of fiberglass was folded into the sidewall outer groove with a specially adapted float and then bonded with a urethane adhesive. I was relieved when I found This Illustration and it shows that the flap has no structural duties. In fact, it looks like if it is pulled out of the channel there is no water intrusion concern either.

We often run into high winds here in Texas. I am prepared for that. I travel with EternaBond! That stuff is magic. Once we get the new (to us) Winnie home I plan to inspect the edge seams, and maybe put a prophylactic strip of the 4" Eternabond on the roof to front/end cap seams. I also have a 50 foot roll of the 1-1/2" tape on order. Just in case.

So, I don't get it. This is a poor design? Lordy, my wife and I have been RV owners for 29 years now. We started out when the state of the art roof was a jointed metal seam sealed with a fibrous mastic. Those roofs pretty much had to be inspected after each outing. The EPDM roof was space-aged technology to us. I still inspected it regularly and had to patch areas where the Dicor self-leveling lap sealant started exhibiting cracks. Then, our last RV (2004 Terry Quantum 285 RLS) had a TPO roof. Well, half of it was TPO. The PO had backed it under something and stripped all of the roof mounted stuff off to about halfway up. The company doing all the repairs used EPDM for the back half. At least they did a good job on the roof decking and provided a new A/C, vent and a new MaxxAir vent cover. The TPO weathered much better than the EPDM. Now, we are embarking on the road to fiberglass roofing. Heck, I don't mind inspecting the seam for urethane degradation. Nothing's permanent. I will admit that the TPO seam where the plastic front cap of our fifth-wheeler were mated came loose going down the road once. I saw the top ballooning up in the shadow of our rig going down I-20. That's where we learned about Eternabond. It held until we got home and the cap could be reattached using the correct size screws.

I still wonder why the OP fooled around with duct tape and just didn't reset the outer flap back into the channel? I carry a set of plastic "tire spoons" for our bike tires. I think that those would work perfectly for just such a task. At least now I know how that roof system works. Knowledge is power, or something like that.....

Whew. Now to worry about something else. Someone tell me about how the two piece plugs in that vintage of Ford V-10 will cause me heartaches.

[Bruce_Brown]

Jim Norman wrote:
Maintenance is one thing, have brake linings checked, get the oil changes, inspect your tires, check the belts. Climbing a ladder and recaulking a roof seam that probably should not need to be recaulked ever is a world of difference. My opinion is that if your roof needs to be checked that often and potentially needs that kind of maintenance you have a poor design. Some have said that they fixed theirs with Eternabond Tape, if it is that easy, then Winnebago should just put the freaking tape on the seam!

They had a bulletin to do some of them...

Winnie Eternabond Fix

[Bruce_Brown]

mike brez wrote:

Bruce Brown wrote:
Wow, hit a nerve there? It wasn't me who posted their group had a 10 percent failure of there Winnie roofs, it was President of a Winnie club.

And BTW, my roof isn't rubber. My TT has a rubber roof, but it's not 10 years old yet.

If you'd like to come over and check out our roof for yourself come on over. I'll set you up with a place to park and hook ups. Heck I'll even buy dinner.

I'll come over and check it out. :B

Mike,
Anytime!

Better yet, come on over and join us at Turning Stone in May.

RV.Net Turning Stone Rally

[2012Coleman]

fenwickfam wrote:

jhilley wrote:
I am president of the WIT North Dakota Club. We have had three members out of our average of 30 members have this problem, one had it happen twice. It was repaired by the insurance company in all cases. In one instance, the whole roof was replaced. I think in all cases the work was performed by Leisureland in St Cloud, MN. In all of them after repair you couldn't tell it had ever happened.

It would be interesting to know what insurance providers they had... we have since changed to National General through Good Sam, however, and understandably so, our roof will not be covered should anything happen to it unless we have documented proof that it was repaired. This was a part of our decision to go with having RV Armour do the roof as it is covered with a lifetime warranty.
I'm curious as to if anybody has done the RV Armour on this thread and any pros or cons that you may have. I've also seen rvroof.com with a 'flex roof' as well as the linex roof.

I personally have no experience, but there is a member who used RV FlexArmor for his MH and raves about it. I have looked into both, and I'd choose this one over RV Armour. They actually remove all rooftop equipment while RV Armour does not. They also apply in a controlled environment while RV Armour does not. Good luck, and let everyone know what happens.

[mike_brez]

Bruce Brown wrote:
Wow, hit a nerve there? It wasn't me who posted their group had a 10 percent failure of there Winnie roofs, it was President of a Winnie club.

And BTW, my roof isn't rubber. My TT has a rubber roof, but it's not 10 years old yet.

If you'd like to come over and check out our roof for yourself come on over. I'll set you up with a place to park and hook ups. Heck I'll even buy dinner.

I'll come over and check it out. :B

[Bruce_Brown]

Wow, hit a nerve there? It wasn't me who posted their group had a 10 percent failure of there Winnie roofs, it was President of a Winnie club.

And BTW, my roof isn't rubber. My TT has a rubber roof, but it's not 10 years old yet.

If you'd like to come over and check out our roof for yourself come on over. I'll set you up with a place to park and hook ups. Heck I'll even buy dinner.

[1968mooney]

tropical36 wrote:

fenwickfam wrote:
We did point this out to the insurance company and to the ND Insurance Commissioner. They had told us to contact an attorney. Sadly, an attorney would most likely run as much as the cost for the RV Armour roof and take more time to get the roof fixed. As it is, we can't travel any great distance with it, so it needs fixed sooner rather than later.

Again you need an attorney. One letter from them, is all it's gonna take, if you're lucky. That won't cost much and if you choose the right firm, then they'll sue for all kinds of hardship and their charges as well and like the ones, I mentioned, there is no cost to you if they lose.

Just put this fellow in your favorites so you can contact him and get retribution after you pay for the attorney.

[Mile_High]

Bruce Brown wrote:

Mile High wrote:

crasster wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Unfortunately the maintenance on the roof is mentioned in your owner's manual. It mentions that it needs to be inspected regularly to maintain the seal.
For this reason your insurance company can back out just like they would if you let the oil go low on your engine.
This was a known issue and I'm sure that it is not the first time that the insurance company has dealt with, and rejected, paying for repairs caused by lack of maintenance.
Naturally the insurance company will claim that any receptionist(you did not speak to an adjuster) is not authorized to tell you what you can or cannot do.
This is a Winnebago design fault and let the buyer beware because even if YOU, as an owner, perform maintenance checks on a regular basis, like many do, they still may deny any warranty issues unless you have written documentation that the service was performed according to their standards.

I agree. Who thinks that gluing down a roof is maintenance? "Hey everybody... you .... you retired person..... Climb up that ladder risking life and limb often and make sure our glue didn't fail".

Crazy.

Usually Winnie is very good about stuff. This one surprises me.

Ah, so maintenance should be limited to only what a retired person can do :)? I guess I shouldn't be expected to change my oil or check my brakes either because I have bad knees (which I don't) - or did it possibly mean that you should do it or have someone do it if you aren't capable.

I think the point was more that it has to be done every 6 months, and it's not something you can do without either climbing up a ladder or working off the roof.

Plus the 6 month thing; I was just thinking about our roof. Ours will be 10 years old in August. I have spent maybe a total of maybe 10 minutes on roof maintenance, and it still looks like new.

There you go Bruce - banging your friggen drum again. You couldn't give me your POS rubber roof. I'm happy it has held up for you, because most never make it the 10 years. Buddy just showed pictures of his last week on another forum and his 3 year old rubber roof is totalled and the manufacturer gave him the same finger because they said he didn't follow the maintenance and inspection schedule. He sucked it up and had it sprayed.

A 6 month inspection schedule is not out of line. Heck Lippert requires 6 months wheel bearing inspection in their manual. You have to take all that with a grain of salt and just be your own advocate to make sure your stuff is in shape. If you physically can't do it, or can't afford to have someone do it, then you are running it to destruction and you accept that, or you probably shouldn't own it anymore.

PS - I don't believe your roof looks like new after 10 years - your sensationalizing and embellishing. Your roof is the same POS rubber as the rest of them out there.

[Jim_Norman]

Maintenance is one thing, have brake linings checked, get the oil changes, inspect your tires, check the belts. Climbing a ladder and recaulking a roof seam that probably should not need to be recaulked ever is a world of difference. My opinion is that if your roof needs to be checked that often and potentially needs that kind of maintenance you have a poor design. Some have said that they fixed theirs with Eternabond Tape, if it is that easy, then Winnebago should just put the freaking tape on the seam!

[Bruce_Brown]

Mile High wrote:

crasster wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Unfortunately the maintenance on the roof is mentioned in your owner's manual. It mentions that it needs to be inspected regularly to maintain the seal.
For this reason your insurance company can back out just like they would if you let the oil go low on your engine.
This was a known issue and I'm sure that it is not the first time that the insurance company has dealt with, and rejected, paying for repairs caused by lack of maintenance.
Naturally the insurance company will claim that any receptionist(you did not speak to an adjuster) is not authorized to tell you what you can or cannot do.
This is a Winnebago design fault and let the buyer beware because even if YOU, as an owner, perform maintenance checks on a regular basis, like many do, they still may deny any warranty issues unless you have written documentation that the service was performed according to their standards.

I agree. Who thinks that gluing down a roof is maintenance? "Hey everybody... you .... you retired person..... Climb up that ladder risking life and limb often and make sure our glue didn't fail".

Crazy.

Usually Winnie is very good about stuff. This one surprises me.

Ah, so maintenance should be limited to only what a retired person can do :)? I guess I shouldn't be expected to change my oil or check my brakes either because I have bad knees (which I don't) - or did it possibly mean that you should do it or have someone do it if you aren't capable.

I think the point was more that it has to be done every 6 months, and it's not something you can do without either climbing up a ladder or working off the roof.

Plus the 6 month thing; I was just thinking about our roof. Ours will be 10 years old in August. I have spent maybe a total of maybe 10 minutes on roof maintenance, and it still looks like new.

[tropical36]

fenwickfam wrote:
We did point this out to the insurance company and to the ND Insurance Commissioner. They had told us to contact an attorney. Sadly, an attorney would most likely run as much as the cost for the RV Armour roof and take more time to get the roof fixed. As it is, we can't travel any great distance with it, so it needs fixed sooner rather than later.

Again you need an attorney. One letter from them, is all it's gonna take, if you're lucky. That won't cost much and if you choose the right firm, then they'll sue for all kinds of hardship and their charges as well and like the ones, I mentioned, there is no cost to you if they lose.

[Mile_High]

crasster wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Unfortunately the maintenance on the roof is mentioned in your owner's manual. It mentions that it needs to be inspected regularly to maintain the seal.
For this reason your insurance company can back out just like they would if you let the oil go low on your engine.
This was a known issue and I'm sure that it is not the first time that the insurance company has dealt with, and rejected, paying for repairs caused by lack of maintenance.
Naturally the insurance company will claim that any receptionist(you did not speak to an adjuster) is not authorized to tell you what you can or cannot do.
This is a Winnebago design fault and let the buyer beware because even if YOU, as an owner, perform maintenance checks on a regular basis, like many do, they still may deny any warranty issues unless you have written documentation that the service was performed according to their standards.

I agree. Who thinks that gluing down a roof is maintenance? "Hey everybody... you .... you retired person..... Climb up that ladder risking life and limb often and make sure our glue didn't fail".

Crazy.

Usually Winnie is very good about stuff. This one surprises me.

Ah, so maintenance should be limited to only what a retired person can do :)? I guess I shouldn't be expected to change my oil or check my brakes either because I have bad knees (which I don't) - or did it possibly mean that you should do it or have someone do it if you aren't capable.

[Bruce_Brown]

jhilley wrote:
I am president of the WIT North Dakota Club. We have had three members out of our average of 30 members have this problem, one had it happen twice. It was repaired by the insurance company in all cases. In one instance, the whole roof was replaced. I think in all cases the work was performed by Leisureland in St Cloud, MN. In all of them after repair you couldn't tell it had ever happened.

That is a 10 percent failure rate - nope, nothing wrong with that roof design. :S

If I were shopping this is would be pretty important information to help me make my decision. I know I wouldn't even think of buying something that required this level of "maintenance", not to mention what happens if you happen to miss a spot when doing this so-called maintenance.

Now where's Bumpy when we need him? :B

[crasster]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
Unfortunately the maintenance on the roof is mentioned in your owner's manual. It mentions that it needs to be inspected regularly to maintain the seal.
For this reason your insurance company can back out just like they would if you let the oil go low on your engine.
This was a known issue and I'm sure that it is not the first time that the insurance company has dealt with, and rejected, paying for repairs caused by lack of maintenance.
Naturally the insurance company will claim that any receptionist(you did not speak to an adjuster) is not authorized to tell you what you can or cannot do.
This is a Winnebago design fault and let the buyer beware because even if YOU, as an owner, perform maintenance checks on a regular basis, like many do, they still may deny any warranty issues unless you have written documentation that the service was performed according to their standards.

I agree. Who thinks that gluing down a roof is maintenance? "Hey everybody... you .... you retired person..... Climb up that ladder risking life and limb often and make sure our glue didn't fail".

Crazy.

Usually Winnie is very good about stuff. This one surprises me.