Roof Shot on Travel Trailer

[K3WE]

Ok...I will NOT ask "What should I do" because only I can make that decision...(and I don't appreciate it when other's ask "What should I do"...not a fair thing to ask).

AND don't point me to the search feature. 😉

BUT

Over the years on this discussion forum, I have been helped (and hopefully have helped) via discussions...talk among friends...a few little things to think about...a valuable tidbit...a shared, similar experience...

So...took the 15 YO camper in to get the roof painted...repair place said, "too far gone and some evidence of wood rot" 7+ grand to replace. (27 ft half bunkhouse TT).

I have been watching the camper over the years and have not seen any evidence of significant or extended water leaks, so I'm thinking the rot is manageable...

Of course, obviously a $7,000 repair bill is tough to stomach on an $11,000 camper (that has a few other age issues).

Conversely, we like it and something newer is 20K easy...AND what will it cost to get rid of the old one?!?!

So...thoughts (and thanks in advance to those here who can discuss)

[spoon059]

Bumpyroad wrote:
does this have a rubber roof? what is "painting" going to fix?????????
bumpy

I think/hope he means liquid EPDM.

OP, I had an old tear on my camper when I bought it used and had some associated rot. I cut back the roofing membrane and exposed the rotted wood. I replaced the plywood decking and the rotted 2x2's myself. After I got the structure put back together I mixed up some liquid EPDM material and "painted" it on. The liquid EPDM bonds to the wood and the existing EPDM roof and made it a seamless repair. I then wrapped the edges of the roof with Eternabond, because I wasn't able to wrap the EPDM back under the edge moldings.

That fix cost me about $100 in parts and a weekend in labor. I sold the camper 2 years later, still leak free. I would suggest you look into that method as the most cost effective and likely involving the least amount of work.

https://www.epdmcoatings.com/liquid-roof.php

[kevden]

Our previous camper rubber roof had cracking, a few small holes and it was dry and powdery. I recoated it with liquid epdm and wrapped the edges and roof penetrations with eternabond. It worked great.

[Yeti_plus]

Somebody on here recoated the roof of his MH or 5th wheel with some rubber paint on compound. I remember he posted a video of the process. He did all the work himself, but I don't remember who it was.
I would check the roof myself to see if there is rot and then proceed with necessary work.

[beemerphile1]

Only cost $3,000 to have a new rubber roof put on the trailer in my signature about 3 years ago. All wood decking and some rafters were replaced.

You need another shop to take a look, that price is too high.

[Bumpyroad]

does this have a rubber roof? what is "painting" going to fix?????????
bumpy

[K3WE]

Sorry- didn't mean to spit out 11K as the delusional VALUE of the camper...that was the price we paid for it- and mentioned that just as a bench mark...yes, it was a decent deal 15 years ago.

Run a depreciation schedule and it's nearly worthless financially...although good rubber, good fridge, good pump, good microwave, good plumbing, furnishing, and everything BUT the roof...but life's tough 🙂

I THINK we are gonna take the camper back from the shop, do some duct tape and bailing wire repairs (Lowe's sells roofing tar), and limp through a few more months and THEN look into replacing it...

...appreciate the comments and the suggestion that I can probably get rid of it and get some gas money for a good-long trip in the deal.

[Scottiemom]

If it's a rubber roof, you can buy the materials from this guy for a fraction of the normal cost and do it yourself. He supplies all the materials and cuts the rubber membrane to your specs.

We visit him a couple times in the summer and have bought quite a bit from him for our two motorhomes.

Very nice guy and sells a lot of roofing materials.

Tom's

Dale

[Ralph_Cramden]

My thoughts......................


New roof sheathing, 3/8 ply 7 sheets @ $24 $168.00
30' Alpha Systems Superflex Kit @ Ebay complete $469.95
Misc molding for front / rear / gutter / awning rail, misc sealants for same, screws and fasteners, new AC gasket, etc, call it $500.00

May as well replace plumbing vents etc while you're at it, say another $400.00

Looks like about $1500 tops in materials, probably less, if you're handy and have the place to do it. Most likely could be done in a day and taking into account you don't have structural rot as in roof trusses and such.

Even if it takes two guys an 8 hour day call that $1600.00 @ $100 an hour for shats and giggles.

$3000? That sounds a lot better than $7K

[SoundGuy]

valhalla360 wrote:
Probably best bet is to sell it for what you can get. I wouldn't highlight the issue but I also wouldn't hide it. Odds are you can get a few grand out of it and then put the $7k with that to get yourself something in the 7-10yr old range.

Agree. Here in Ontario it's relatively easy to sell an older trailer that's leaking, even my own local dealer will take 'em. The reason? :h ... he sells them off "as is" to those who want to drag it up north and use it as a hunting camp. If it requires a tarp to throw over the roof or simply caulking the roof to get a few more years out of it the hunter doesn't care as long as he can safely make the one trip north. All he's looking for is basic shelter from the elements and this type of trailer fits his requirements - i.e. cheap. 😉

[valhalla360]

For $7k, you can get a newer trailer without the roof rot.

I suspect the $11k figure is wishful thinking.

The numbers that get tossed around for a new roof without any complications is around $4k, so $3k for some substructure work doesn't sound too far off. They might be up-ing the price to avoid having to come back and keep asking for extras when they open it up and find additional issues.

Probably best bet is to sell it for what you can get. I wouldn't highlight the issue but I also wouldn't hide it. Odds are you can get a few grand out of it and then put the $7k with that to get yourself something in the 7-10yr old range.

[Gdetrailer]

K3WE wrote:
Ok...I will NOT ask "What should I do" because only I can make that decision...(and I don't appreciate it when other's ask "What should I do"...not a fair thing to ask).

AND don't point me to the search feature. 😉

BUT

Over the years on this discussion forum, I have been helped (and hopefully have helped) via discussions...talk among friends...a few little things to think about...a valuable tidbit...a shared, similar experience...

So...took the 15 YO camper in to get the roof painted...repair place said, "too far gone and some evidence of wood rot" 7+ grand to replace. (27 ft half bunkhouse TT).

I have been watching the camper over the years and have not seen any evidence of significant or extended water leaks, so I'm thinking the rot is manageable...

Of course, obviously a $7,000 repair bill is tough to stomach on an $11,000 camper (that has a few other age issues).

Conversely, we like it and something newer is 20K easy...AND what will it cost to get rid of the old one?!?!

So...thoughts (and thanks in advance to those here who can discuss)

15 yr old TT is not worth $11K without a bad roof or rot, more like $3K.. I see 15 yr old trailers all the time on Craigslist with asking prices well below $11K.. But keep in mind that is what they are asking, what they are getting is often a lot less than asking price..

Now with that said, $7K for a roof replacement sounds pretty darn high, I would expect a bit closer to $4K or perhaps a bit less even if repairs need made.

Now, you might get the idea that it isn't worth fixing and you would be correct except for the fact that YOU LIKE it and it is paid for.

A new trailer would cost a lot more than repairing the old one and you might not find one that you like as much.

I would suggest seeking out a second opinion on the roof condition and if it really needs replaced.

As far as disposing of your trailer IF you decide to buy another one instead of fixing.. Simple, SELL or TRADE.

Post on Craigslist at a REASONABLE price (see and reread my comments above that it IS NOT A $11K trailer even on a good day) with the disclosure that a new roof may be needed. Someone like myself who likes projects (and cheap at that) will snap it up when reasonably priced.

Yeah, I bought a 30 yr old trailer for $700, replaced siding and rood plus completely gutted and rebuilt the interior.. All told about $4K in materials and nearly 2 yrs of working on it my spare time..

Designed and built the way I want it and best of all, completely paid for with cash.. Priceless! :B

[PastorCharlie]

Deduct the $7,000 estimate from the $11,000 value and you have a $4,000 dollar TT. I would look into getting a company to spray it with Line-X truck bed liner. I have seen them spray flat house roofs and do a great job.

If that works then you can get several more years of use from it. All the roof supports is its own weight and a few lights and A/C.

[gbopp]

If you chose to get rid of the old one, I would advertise it on CL cheap or free. Someone will take it for a hunting cabin, etc..

Before you dispose of it (if you are capable) I would check the roof myself. Not quite two years ago I restored the original rubber roof on our 96 Southwind.
It was in rough condition but, Eternabond, Dicore Caulk and Heng's Rubber Roof Coating has it looking good and leak free.
It was not difficult, it took few days to complete and was worth the effort. I'll get several more years out of the original roof.

[DrewE]

$7k sounds rather excessive to me, unless the rot damage is significant. Anything more than superficial rot should be pretty easy to detect by walking or crawling around the roof and seeing where it's soft.

If you're somewhat handy and have the time and a helper or two, you could do the work yourself for a lot less than that; the roofing materials should be less than $1k, I believe. In any case, while I won't tell you what to do, I will say that were I in your position I would at the least get a second or third opinion/quote if possible.