Forum Discussion

SCADAMAN29325's avatar
SCADAMAN29325
Explorer II
Jun 28, 2023

Roof repairs

Hello all,

Been busy with other stuff and need to update a few threads, but this first: Roof leaks...


On our last trip it rained a lot. When leaving the park, water poured out from the front and rear of the overhead bunk into cab, down onto the dash and down our backs. Probably a cup full but felt like gallons. Sooooo I went on top today to do an inspection.

Above the front clearance lights, I'm sure these were the culprits. I'm thinking eternabond there. Maybe some dicor first then eternabond. Thoughts?
(That water that is showing came from the garden hose, I took it up on top just in case I need it.)

Peeling roof coat, I'm thinking I should peel off these flaps, maybe lightly sand down those areas, scrub the roof and then put on a seal coat. Product and method recommendations?

And around the vent covers? Should I lay some eternabond down here or something else?

All thoughts are appreciated!

Thanks, Phil


Above front clearance lights



Peeling roof coat



Vent covers
Seeking Advice
  • theoldwizard1's avatar
    theoldwizard1
    Explorer II
    Jun 28, 2023
    Do you like your RV ? Do you want to keep it for a long time ?

    Peel the rubber roof off. Replace rotted plywood. Repair rotted roof rafters. Carefully inspect the tops of the side walls. Likely there is rot their.

    The worst thing is roof leaks FREQUENTLY result in rotted floors.
  • schlep1967's avatar
    schlep1967
    Nomad
    Jun 28, 2023
    From the looks of that, the roof has been leaking for some time. Even if you fix the leaks, it is only a matter of time before the rot destroys the whole unit.

    Sorry for your loss. Enjoy it while it lasts.
  • spoon059's avatar
    spoon059
    Explorer II
    Jun 28, 2023
    Agree with the others. If you have rot, you need to fix that. Pull the rubber back, fix the structure underneath first. Anything less is a bandaid on a bullethole. After that, Eternabond tape is your friend.

    The peeling topcoat, no clue. Looks like its just a paint product on top of the existing roof. It offers no protection at all. Looks like your rig is a 1994 model. That roof is long past its expected service life. If you like the rig and the damage from rot isn't too severe, you should re-roof your entire camper. I wouldn't put EPDM rubber back on, I would look at rvarmor.com. I don't have this product, but it has great reviews and is much better and longer lasting than rubber.
  • Turtle_n_Peeps's avatar
    Turtle_n_Peeps
    Explorer
    Jun 28, 2023
    Like others have said, it depends on what you want to do. I did a job much worse than this last year for my neighbor.

    The roof was really, really bad. I told them what do you want to do because the trailer is totalled. They had an emotional attachment to the trailer because it was their parents trailer.

    I told them look, I can stop the leaks but the roof is junk and so are most of the side walls. They said they just wanted me to stop the leaks so it does not get water inside. I gave them a bid and they said yes.

    I first put eternabond on all the perimeter of the roof. Then I put this on the whole roof.

    The trailer does not leak anymore, but the inside of the trailer is kind of a mess but they were very happy with the job I gave them.

    If you do this, your trailer will not leak.
  • SCADAMAN29325's avatar
    SCADAMAN29325
    Explorer II
    Jun 29, 2023
    OMG I was not expecting those replies!

    For now I'm going to patch it with eternabond and hope for the best.

    Hopefully I'll get a few years out of it.

    Thanks for the replies.

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