Acrylic Roof on Arctic Fox 1140

Macdale4,

As your friend said, this isn't "normal" but it happens. It's not a big problem and I don't think it will ever be an issue. Regardless of whether it's in warranty, it's a long way from a dealer to get the warranty and it will be your expense to get it there.

Since they said they wouldn't replace the roof and you said you weren't comfortable with it you could for your own piece of mind, fix it yourself. It's very simple.

I replaced a roof not too long ago and got a dry spot about 8 or 10 inches in dia. due to pulling the rubber back up trying to straighten a wrinkle. When it didn't stick back down I had to fix it.

You'll need to use water based roofing adhesive for EPDM rubber, as it will cure under the rubber. Any good rv dealer should give you an ounce or two. It won't take much. I used a syringe and plastic application needle about 1/8" in dia. A syringe from a pharmacy is cheap or maybe a turkey basting syringe.

It's a simple fix, clean a 1" spot on the bubble, take the syringe and applicator needle, shoot the bubble with enough adhesive to coat the entire surface that is loose. Squeeze it all around the bubble and back to the injection site, then suck the excess out with syringe. Put a dab of Dicor on the injection site. Your done, counting climbing up and down the ladder, about 5 minutes.

You said you had about 10 but unless they are larger, >4",I wouldn't mess with them.

Good luck,

I'm no expert, but common sense tells me that a glued down roof that is flat or crowned or sloped should NOT have "bubbles" of ANY size! Especially one the size of one's foot! I too would write the registered return receipt letter with photos to the MFG CEO directly for help.

Best of luck!
Dak

OP, Acrylic roof, what is that, my AF has a rubber roof? I have a few hollow spots by the rear where the roof has some depressions where the roof rack is mounted, where are your spots?

If I were in your position, I would write a letter to Ron Nash, registered & return receipt requested....about your problem. Send same letters to Ward King, COO....Jim Jones, CEO....and Don Cochran, Sales chief. Send photos of roof.

You need something in writing about getting repairs now or later on after the one year is up.

Were the bubbles present when you bought in OR ? How long after did they appear?

We owned a 2000 AF 1150 until 2004. There was a sagging slide problem the local dealer could not fix. AF said to come up to LaGrande (from CA) and we will fix it free. They did. This was in 2002.

kerry4951 wrote:

macdale4 wrote:
I bought it at Apache but since I'm in FL and there are no dealers here I'm dealing directly with the company. They refuse to replace the roof and tell me that this is normal and that if my roof ever leaks as a result they will take care of it, but since they only warranty it for a year, I'm not comfortable.

I dont think your roof will ever leak due to the bubbles, so its going to be a cosmetic thing for the most part.

Ya, but he says it's brand new and one's already the size of his foot. I'm not a roof expert, I'm into electrical, but I would say they will get bigger.
Beings that the OP is in the SE and the dealer and MFG are in the NW, this may have to be a self-fix. I'm guessing they're refusing it because there is no authorized AF dealers nearby, aka, a shop that won't charge full-boat shop rates. Warranty work is done much cheaper to the MFG at an authorized dealer.

macdale4 wrote:
I bought it at Apache but since I'm in FL and there are no dealers here I'm dealing directly with the company. They refuse to replace the roof and tell me that this is normal and that if my roof ever leaks as a result they will take care of it, but since they only warranty it for a year, I'm not comfortable.

I dont think your roof will ever leak due to the bubbles, so its going to be a cosmetic thing for the most part.

Got pics?

I bought it at Apache but since I'm in FL and there are no dealers here I'm dealing directly with the company. They refuse to replace the roof and tell me that this is normal and that if my roof ever leaks as a result they will take care of it, but since they only warranty it for a year, I'm not comfortable.

Definitely not normal. I had 2 Arctic Fox's, an 1140 and an 1150. Bubbles mean either the glue let go or you have a leak, and moisture is causing the glue to let go.

They are a bonded roof, bubbles indicate that the roof is unbonded in those locations. I've not heard that it is "normal" but have heard that there are no dangers with it either. People occassionaly lay (by accident) a petroleum based product on the roof and it acts like a solvent.