Eternabond Tape

[1L243]

I just bought a new 2016 Premier trailer by Keystone. It has a Alpha TPO Roof. The onwers manual says to use only Alpha products. I installed a Fantastic fan and want to seal it as I have done in the past with other trailers(metal roofs) with Eternabond Tape. Anyone have experience with Eternabond tape on a Alpha TPO Roof?

[1L243]

Read the above email from Alpha Systems. They use Eternabond on the slide roofs on their membrane. They have no problem with Eternabond.. So, I would think it would be hard for the manufacturer to refuse a warranty claim based on the use of Eternabond..

[spoon059]

JIMNLIN wrote:
Using eternabond tape on a new trailers roof can void its warranty as one member found out.

trailernovice

...any claim under the roof warranty may get kicked on grounds that the roof has been 'modified'....

So... the warranty was NOT denied, but you want us to believe that it was? Much like anything else, the manufacturer would have to prove that the Eternabond tape DIRECTLY CAUSED the problem.

I wonder how many people have ever had a rubber roof "failure", other than debris left under the rubber that wore through.

Most leak problems are due to improper maintenance and the lap sealant leaking. If you look at your warranty paperwork, the roof company doesn't warranty lap sealant. If you fail to maintain the seals and it leaks, it is NOT covered under the 12 year roof warranty.

I would love to know if you find any direct evidence that a RUBBER ROOF WARRANTY was denied because of PROPER use of Eternabond tape.

[1L243]

I decided to go with the Super Flex 1021 tan recommended by Alpha Systems the roof manufacturer. It went on smooth and was self leveling. It came out quite well. The color match was excellent for my tan roof.

My follow up question today when I applied the sealant we were near 65 degrees and tonight we will be in the mid 40's. I was wondering if turning on the RV furnace to 55 or 60 degrees overnight would be a good idea for curing?

[1L243]

Response from Alpha Systems

Hello Sir,

Yes, Eternabond tape can be used on our membrane, in fact it is what many manufacturers use to seal the edges on slide-outs that have our membrane on them.

Sorry, we do not offer a similar product at this time.

Thank you,

Monica McCabe

Alpha Systems, LLC.

(574) 295-5206

Fax (574)970-2703

[camp-n-family]

I put Eternabond tape on my Bullet Premier when it was new in '13. No issues at all. The other sounds like a marketing gimmick to me.

I will add that you need to be careful with the factory warranty as mentioned. It would only void warranty if it was proven that the Tape caused the issue which would be rare, but if you do have a roof issue where the tape would need to be removed, you would be on the hook.

I taped the caulk joint between the roof membrane and the front and rear caps the first week I bought it. Shortly after, I received a recall notice that the front cap may not have enough screws securing it along the roof seam. There is no way the tape was coming back off so the recall work was never done.

[LarryJM]

Tequila wrote:
Problem with using eternabond tape is it's almost impossible to get off.

That's more myth than fact. I've removed probably 30' + or more of Eternabond tape. It just takes the proper technique and some patience. Also understanding it's actual properties such a stretching and softening under heat helps a lot and it's infamous stickiness can actually help in removing any residue. For items with flanges removing it isn't even required, just care cutting.

IMO it's advantages and second to none sealing properties makes it the best guarantee against leaks, etc.

Larry

[Tequila]

Problem with using eternabond tape is it's almost impossible to get off. Fantastic fans, etc eventulaly corrode & need replacing. I only use eternabond for roof tears, otherwise dicor self levelling is the best bet. Most manufacturers fold over the TPO or rubber into the well so any leak will become instantly apparent on the inside before it does any damage.

[1L243]

At this point I am leaning towards the Alpha 1016 or 1021 sealant. Both are self leveling. The 1021 is suposed to be a slightly tweaked version of 1016? Don't really know what the difference is or what the application difference would be. If I don't like the way it comes out a few monts down the road I could always go back to Eternabond...

[tbred]

I have an Alpha ply tpo roof on my Starcraft tt. When we purchased it back in 2013 I contacted Alpha to see if Dicor products were safe to use on it as the Alpha products are very hard to get a hold of. I was told it was no problem and we have resealed a couple areas with Dicor with no issues. As to the Eternabond, I do have a roll and have used it to seal a cracked skylight. Haven't needed to use it directly on tpo but wouldn't hesitate to do so.

Fyi, Murphy's oil soap was recommended by Alpha for cleaning.

[1L243]

I suspect any mod to the roof like adding a fantastic fan could in the extream void your warranty which means I have voided the warranty of every trailer I have ever had. This is the first trailer I have had with a Alpha TPO Roof. I am more worried about a chemical reaction between the TPO and whatever sealant you use than the roof warranty....

[WyoTraveler]

I suspect any brand tape or any brand caulking would trap water if water was already inside. I want to trap the moisture before it gets inside.I suspect some of these dealers would like to keep repairs inhouse for profits. As far as brand is concerned I doubt anyone could tell the brand name once it was applied. Once out of the tube the name is gone. However, If someone uses TV ad spray or caulking or silicon on their it is pretty apparent. I've never had a dealer crawl up on my RV roof when I traded it. Private sales? Probably.

[JIMNLIN]

Using eternabond tape on a new trailers roof can void its warranty as one member found out. Before adding any brand tape I would ask your new trailers mfg/dealer on this issue.
Another issue with the tape has been resale.
Much on google with both issues.

I would use OEM materials and products for a OEM look....especially on a new trailer.

trailernovice

Mission TX

Senior Member

Joined: 10/25/2010

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**A while back, I opened a thread asking whether eterna-bonding the roof seams on an almost-new TT as a preventative measure was a good idea ...the virtually unanimous opinion was 'yes'....

Well, took the TT to the selling dealer today for some minor work...rep. sees the tape job, asks 'why on earth did you DO that'?, and tells me that: a.) it's not necessary b.) it'll trap water if any water ever gets beneath the tape, and c.) any claim under the roof warranty may get kicked on grounds that the roof has been 'modified'....

[FrankShore]

I'm thinking it's a ploy to get you into using their products on their roof. Not necessarily a good thing.

You might take into account the original warranty on the roof system of your unit and weigh it against whether or not you want to possibly void it by using Eternabond or not.

I would use the Eternabond and forget the warranty!

[1L243]

I was on their site and did not see anything on the use of Eternabond or if hey had a similar product..