Roof maintenance needed?

[astraelraen]

This is our first travel trailer and our first upcoming winter with an RV. I think I am super paranoid about the roof and whatever maintenance is required.

The unit is a 2008 Skyline Nomad trailer. I have owned it since May of this year. I do not know what if any prior maintenance was done on the trailer.

I youtubed/researched/climbed up on the roof and to my amateur eyes it looks like 98% okay. I have attached a few pictures. Any recommendations or comments are welcome.

Alot of the black goopy stuff looks like this, which looks like it is in really good condition according to what I have seen on the internet.


Some of it looks like it might have hairline cracks like this example:


This is by far the worst "hole" I can find. I don't know if this hole just leaks into the gutter system or if it could be a big problem.


Some of the sealant on the sides seems to be cracking/separating?

[wintersun]

If the sealant is cracking anywhere I go over it first with the naptha substitute, Klean-Strip Industrial Maintenance Coating Thinner available at Home Depot, works great for this purpose. Then I apply Dicor self leveling sealant in the full sun so it actually flows/levels. Ice cubes work well for smoothing it out if that is important to you.

[rlh2]

Dicor is good in the appropiate places and Eternabond is excellent. I have used both. Please do not use silicone sealant, you will not be happy with the long term results. I would clean the areas good with acetone or other appropiate cleaner and seal with the Dicor and Eternabond. Take your time and you should be good to go.

[pugslyyy]

astraelraen wrote:
Alot of the black goopy stuff looks like this, which looks like it is in really good condition according to what I have seen on the internet.

Not elegant but looks fine. Too bad they kinda decimated the screw channel with all that caulk. Looks like there are plenty of places for standing water to accumulate.

If you ever re-do that, it takes MUCH less caulk and then the channel gets covered by the vinyl insert (I just replaced about 120 feet of it on my truck camper)

[tenbear]

You should fill any hairline cracks on the flat part of the roof with Dicor Self Leveling Lap Sealant. Clean the area first with mineral spirits. Try to keep th mineral spirits off the roof. You might also want to try Eternabond tape. I haven't used it but it gets good reviews.

I would avoid using a silicone caulk. I understand that it is difficult to find a sealant that will stick to silicone if you need to re-seal it.

[Veebyes]

So far so good with mine, a 2007, but for the past 3 winters stored indoors. Given the reputation of RV builders to do everything they can on the cheap, my plan for roof seam maintenance is to switch to a marine sealant/bedding compound such as 3M 4200. or a white silicone.