@@AZExpertoh yes me too ,re binge watching ...kinda reminds me of my days marketing for one if not biggest used Car Supermarket, what an education that was . This is my USA refresher, but RV's.., hey at 25:37 you fingered the tarp roof, for "solar wiring" you say, wouldn't that pool water ? Or is owner getting solar within a week,month of your roof repair ? .cheers bud
Ditto on the binge watching. My 2016 wolf pup needs a new roof so I am taking notes. First camper I ever owned and I should have walked the roof!!! Live and learn!
I don't know any RV repair centers that are not busy. After you see your videos you know why. You will be employed for life. I've had plenty of repairs in my 30 plus years of camping and continue with my current bus. Thanks so much for your content. I really appreciate it. Thankfully we have some good shops here in NC local.
Interestingly, this Gulf Stream 5245, is the RV I wish to get. I'm a retired architect and reasonably clever ...I plan of taking the dinette OUT, replacing with a sofa and most likely cut back this protruding floor. After seeing this video of yours ...I would most likely put full length rollers under that floor slide out to distribute the weight. I also plan on reconfigure the full ht closet as behind it, there's lots of wasted uninstalled space. Sadly ..these manufactures could easily design & built these RVs to be less problematic at no additional cost. I've watched several of your videos ...you're extremely patient, clever and resourceful. Thanks for the info you provide. Pls stay safe, Blessings
We bought our travel trailer 6 years ago. It is our first ever camper. Last year we towed it 350 miles to a private resort in the middle of Nebraska, stayed for 3 months and then towed it back home. But… Before we did that I had to make sure it was road worthy and safe. Being a 35 year career journeyman diesel mechanic gave me an edge in some respects. I replaced the brakes, bearings and wheel seals, and added bearing buddies so I could grease the bearings on the road. During repairs I also found the old brakes wires weren’t even connected. Now the brakes work perfectly. I added 3 Fantastic vent fans or whatever they’re called, and modified 1 so we can reverse direction of the fan. An EASY modification that involves 1 switch, a little bit of wire and some hot glue.Additionally to that, I replaced ALL tires with new including the spare tire. I installed gas struts to the under bed storage to assist in lifting the brand new queen sized memory foam mattress, hung a new flat screen tv and connected a blue ray dvd player. And to top it all off, I inspected, cleaned, and resealed the roof rubber membrane. This tt is a 2006 Keystone Outback Sydney Edition. Our trip last year went flawlessly. The brakes performed superbly, and towing was a breeze with new tires and a new used Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax L5P crew cab, 2019. The work I did to this camper, to make it road worthy and safe, not just for us, but for everyone else on the road, was worth every penny. It was expensive, but worth it. And I fully enjoy that kind of work, not to mention it makes her HAPPY. So this year, we had a HUGE hailstorm in June. Plus ANOTHER storm just a couple of weeks later that had 95+ mph straight line winds. The hail in the first storm was 3”-3.5” in diameter. It took out our AC unit, which is an old Carrier AirV, no longer produced and finding parts for is now impossible. I turned the “hail damage” in to the insurance company thinking they might help with the AC unit. NOPE 👎🏻 Not only did they total the camper because there is now delamination, broken AC unit, broken lights and roof damage, but, I don’t think we can afford to buy it back from them after the loan and claims are paid off. I was hoping to use some of the money from the hail damage on my pickup to buy the camper back, but can’t because the claim check for the hail damage to the pickup is written to me AND the bank. So not only are we NOT getting a new AC unit for the camper, but we are also out a CAMPER ! I feel like I should not have turned in the storm damages and just started over and fixed everything myself. Live and learn I guess. The insurance company will own aour camper, the bank will be happy the loan is paid in full, but it’s starting to look like my “investment” is going down the drain. Hoping the bank will help us finance a 5th wheel. 🙃😢
Thank you. My 1996 Coachmen Catalina Sport motorhome has had so many dicor roof sealant coverings, that it all bubbled & started to peel after our last hurricane. (Nicholas) The rubber roof membrane under that is black. I plan on scraping down all the built up coatings & starting fresh as the actual membrane still looks good. I did learn a few things from this video, so thanks again! 👍
Thanks for the information and best practices for repairs. I am finding a lot of “oem defects” and where oem cut corners on my RV resurrection project. I appreciate when you point those out.
I was just about to use that popular self leveling seam sealer on my Winnebago! Now I can do it right with silicone. Why doesn't any of my Winnebago brochures say anything about this...?? Maybe I just glossed over this CRUCIAL fact. I learned a lot! Thanks!
Man I really appreciate your videos. I don’t even own an RV any more but I’m thinking of selling my house and moving into one instead. These are great videos for learning about the care.
Well, I don't know if you heard my dread during the "repair" part seeing it much worse than I thought , but, I'm sure you can understand that finding time/schedule for a large job you did not plan on can be stressful. Thanks!
@@AZExpert I totally understand your frustration. All you can do is move forward. The whole thing about parts getting hard to get is really starting to annoy me too. I have a popup in the garage with the Goshen Lift System. I don't know if I am ever going to be able to find parts for it.
Great video showing roof replacement..... what I would like to know is what would the cost be to have this done.... lets say reusing everything that was there already, no upgrades. I would be curious to know what to expect if I had to have this done on my 2018 Open Range Ultra Lite Model 2804 RK... Thanks
Nice video. I’m a fan of automotive type covers for campers in the off season. The mid-Atlantic has 100 degree summers. Below zero winters. Humidity. Snow. Everything. My cover really keeps my TT clean.
Thanks, I'm more unconvinced about RV covers at least here in the desert, all the ones I see are torn by the end of the first year. But absolutely they are great way to extend the life of a RV and keep it clean!
AZ Expert in sure life in the desert is different. The UV and heat would break down the material fast. Plus the winds would tear them. Probably a covered structure would be best out there. I noticed how the white was gone and the rubber was showing. Maybe a spray on roof 😂 but we already discussed that in a prior video 😂 thanks for the videos 👍🏼
I have watched you . What a great job you do . I have a question about Gulf Stream class a country coach . The seam ends on the top before it goes over the side and water stand on both sides and end caps have the raised screw down where the roof membrane ends on both sides and ends are about 3/4 inch higher
I just spotted this one James and what a fine job you did. I’m not going to buy any RV without a full inspection. There’s just too many cheats out there waiting for someone to take advantage of and they certainly do. I’d be interested to know how much a replacement roof would cost 💲 if it’s possible for you to guesstimate? I will be seeing you in the not too distant future and no worries as I will call you first after I have looked around especially if you make any suggestions. Stay safe please 🙏🏻 Lorrie 🥰✊⭐️💫
Hi James, Quick question. I am replacing the membrane on my 2010 5th wheel Denali by Dutchmen and once I got the old one off, there remains a very sticky glue on the chipper board. Not my preferred materiel but I suspect it's for cost reasons. Is there something that can be used to remove the glue or is laying down a thin plywood over it the way to go? Great videos BTW, very informative.
Thanks for all your videos. I am an inexperienced DIYer, bravely tackling an RV roof replacement. Your videos have given me some confidence. I have all the components removed, and have torn all the wood off. When I tore the wood off, in the places where the wood was still in good shape, bits and pieces of the styrofoam came off with it. Will this be a problem when I come to re-glue new wood to it? Secondly, I want to put some additional support pieces in the front part of the RV. What is the best way to attach wood 2x2s to the existing metal frame pieces?
Looks fantastic. Hope the rest of the RV was in good enough shape to justify the cost of the repair. What sealant was used on all those roof appliances?
Thank you for your videos, your explanations and honesty are what makes them so great. But, can you tell me why Eternabond tape will sometimes get ripples after being installed. I have a hard wall and roof A frame. The tape remains smooth and flat on the metal frame but over a short period of time it will ripple on the roofing surface. I have applied the tape for a second time on this one problem area.This time the rippling is worse. I’m at a loss for a reason why this happens. The tape has been used on the entire roof area, and I only have this problem on the rear width section. Any thoughts on why this happens?
Nice work on the roof. When pushing the unit into the garage I noticed what appears to be a fairly large delamination bubble on the front cap passenger side 2'07" so I would love to see a video of how you might go about addressing that.
Sidewall delamination can be a tricky repair. To properly repair it, the components, trim and sealant must be removed, the filon seperated from the luan paneling and new paneling glued on and the filon glued on. It's labor intensive and costly. Many people use some crazy epoxy vacuum setup which will stabilize but not make it look much better. Of course the location of the water leak should be found first. I generally can only film what I have been requested to do. If I get a delam job I will record it.
EMDM is a more expensive and durable product compared to TPO. I do like TPO though, it is less money has the same warranty and tends to "chalk" much less. Thanks!
Dicor question as ive never used it before. specifically the non-leveling type. is it thick in its consistency? i mean more than normal? i went to use some today and it seemed like it was thicker than it should be and was a struggle to apply and smooth out. not impossible, just a PITA and very messy when trying to make it look good. thanks!!
Dicor has the body of marshmallow creme, both the self leveling and non-self leveling styles. It does have a shelf life and if it's difficult to squeeze out a caulking gun then it is likely past its shelf life. Thanks!
@@AZExpert it was more difficult to get out of the gun than i would think was normal. Not two handed or anything, just tougher than i was expecting. And immediately tacky like i came back after 30min to tool it. Not a huge deal as it was just being used to reseal (remove, completely clean, reattach) running lights on my TT. Cleaned it all up and will be using silicone. Dont think that will be a problem as you taught, butyl tape is the primary seal, in this case silicone is redirecting the water and its not being applied over any other sealants. Hey, found a new use for your favorite tape. Covers the giant 1" hole behind the running lights nicely.
I feel ya about the defective screws! I recently rebuilt a deck on my son’s house using the hidden screw system. When building the enclosed stairs I used angle brackets behind the step facias. And used Hillman wood screws to secure the brackets and facia and leading edge of the outside tread boards. It was so frustrating. They were of such soft metal that out of every 100 screws, 25 were bad or stripped the Phillips head when tightened. I used 3, 100 quantity packs of the wood screws. I also used about 700 of the Kregg deck screws for the deck and stair planks with similar results. All were “Made in China”!
Hmmmm......I wonder if it would be a good idea to come up with a way to install a thin aluminum "shield" over the edges of RV roofs to protect them from tree branch scrapes/punctures/tears etc? Go inward maybe 6" and down the side far enough to just shield the gutter?
Found your channel a few weeks ago and went back and started from the beginning. Your content is so good I can't believe you didn't get more subscribers earlier, but I am glad to see you are at 76k now, but that is still way too low for the value you provide. As a side note be very careful with just doing what the customer wants if you are not 100% comfortable with the repair, they can and will sue you and win in court. To long of story but decades ago a judge told me "you are the expert, if the customer wants something you don't think is correct don't do the job". Shame on me for not putting in writing and getting customer to sign that I did not recommend the said repair. Needless to say that scenario has never happened again in 40 years.
I just had a new EPDM roof put on my 41 foot "Sabre" 5th wheel. After a couple of weeks I am noticing quite a few angled wrinkles where the front cap meets the roof. Is there anything I can do with it or does it need to be redone? I really don't want to cut and patch a new roof.
This is a super video. In 2017, I encountered two problems when replacing the roofing membrane of my 2001Georgie Boy Landau. Some of the roof wood (1/4in luan, from memory) beneath the membrane had rotted so I replaced it. Applying the EPDM material began well and ended well but in the middle of the roof span a bubble formed, about 5ft x 3ft and also several wrinkles arranged themselves across the roof like small waves. I was so dispirited I parked the motorhome in its car port, where it has remained for four years. A few weeks ago, I climbed onto the roof to inspect it: the bubble was there but the wrinkles had miraculously disappeared. Can you explain what caused them to vanish?
Installing a second Air Conditioner on my Forest River Salem 32BHDS. We got the old vent out, removing some of the sealant used we realize that there is a small hole or tear in the Rubber Roof close to the edge of where the air conditioner gasket will sit. Do you think it would be ok to shoot some DICOR under the air conditioner, and just be sure it spreads to cover anything? I think most all of it will be under the air conditioner gasket, but just want a little extra security. Or should I use some of the skylight sealant? We put the air conditioner on now with a bit of elastomeric caulk however read it won't stick to the rubber roof all that well so want a good seal. Camper sits under a carport so it's safe and well I don't think it would leak for a while, just want to get the best fix we can. Thanks for any input you have. Oh and your videos are great. I have learned a lot.
In years past, some manufacturer did add sealant under the AC gasket, so it can be done, it makes removal difficult though. I think Dicor would do fine, it could also be a good application for eternabond roof tapes, as I think they are great for tears in membranes. Thanks!
I have a question... I have a 2003 Bounder 39Z and the AC drain water is running down the front of the windshield and front corners, I have not inspected the roof as of yet but is this normal in any way? where should condensation drain run?
Why is there not a lifetime system for RV roofs? I mean for what they cost they should last at least 25 years. I have an older Raptor toy hauler 39 footer. This is my third RV. I have in my brain as scary that may be a plan for a lifetime warranty RV roof. I’m going to try it on my own RV first. Now lifetime and testing are going to be a little difficult because I’m 58 years old. I do think it is possible to put a roof on an RV at about the same cost that will last at least three times to four times as long. Good video by the way. I hit the subscribe button.
The new roof looks really good. Do they make different quality rubber roofs different types of rubber or whatever ? In other words they make some a little thicker than others if you pay more ? Keith
Somewhat related question: I'm preparing to rebuild my 35 ft class A roof. It looks like the decking is just luan, assumed 1/4 or 3/8", I'd like to go with thicker plywood (and not that OSB garbage). How do-able would using 1/2" be? Thank you in advance.
Soap and water is my go to, there is a Dicor rubber roof cleaner that works very well and yes I have used the 303, Dicor, and generic UV protectors I just follow the instructions from the manufacturer. Thanks!
Love your videos. Would really like to know things like how much they paid for the toy hauler used. Would love to at least ballpark about what a new roof cost. Curious b/c we just bought a used class A and are learning. Thanks so much for the great examples of work!
What would be different about this if this was not a Fiberglass RV. What if it had been the Tin type stuff? I'm new to the channell. We bought a new Cherokee 23MK. I just want tips on keeping the roof in good shape before it gets bad. Love your videos. Thank you.
Eternabond will still let water under the edge or fixture.. You still have to use Dicor to seal... I do love eternabond, it works well for many applications... especially beefing up areas...
How do you recommend to fix tears on the edge of roof. Went through some branches and dragged along the edge. Not slashes more like pencil diameter holes every 6-10 inches or so. Thanks for any help.
I own a 2011 KZ 32 foot fifth wheel trailer. My roof probably needs replacing in a year or two. I need a 2' x 2' piece of wood replaced too at the front corner. There are 3 vents, skylight, TV antenna, AC, fridge and holding tank vents. The bathroom skylight will also require replacement. Can someone give me an idea on the cost? Thank you
Great video!! In looking at my 2016 Coachman Apex Nano, the edges of the roof roll over the sides and is loose up and down both sides of the camper. I am assuming they didn’t pull the EPDM tightly over the edge. I have noticed two small spots of a half inch where it looks like the material is creased. Would it be good measure to cut some eternabond patches and lap over the edges and then seal the eternabond edges with Dicor? My wife wanted this trailer and it’s turning my hair grayer by trying to keep up with it!!! :)
AZ Expert I’m not sure if crease is the correct word, but it looks like a weak spot. Not a tear/cut, but a weak spot. I noticed it when cleaning the roof. Eternabond it is! Thanks again for all the great content and help!
Great video, would love links to some of the items you used like the antenna and the replacement skylight with metal frame. I don't plan to do this myself but I know what to ask for when dealing with a repair company. Thank you.
In your opinion is a EPDM preferred over a TPO roof? I have EPDM on my ‘96 Coachmen RV which seems to be in good shape except for spotted stains. Needs a good cleaning.
@@AZExpert Does water based adhesive mean that you clean up any spills or overspray with water, similar to how you clean up paint brushes when using water based house paint? What happens when the adhesive dries? Can you clean it up with water after it dries or do you need another chemical?
@@AZExpert Great video, how do prep the existing luan if in great shape as once rubber removed there is tackiness on existing luan after old rubber removed. Do you need to lay new luan over existing or just glue right over existing tacky luan surface will it bond rubber to tacky luan? What type glue? Cheers
james I have 1997 winnebago minnie winnie class c. over cab all water damage. has cabinets the over bed. I want to remove it all. I haven't done tis before. Have I opened a can of worms? Thanks James from sc.
Always a good day when I get to spend a half hour with you James. As you video the previous owners bad roof repair I just shake my head constantly. You mentioned you’re at the new shop. Is this your new shop or the dealers new shop? Thanks for this. Enjoyed it.
Thank you. It is something of a second home for me. My friend owns it and he has lease me some space. The other shop just was not getting used enough to justify the monthly lease as a majority of my work is dealer support and mobile work.
On my class my A. I really need advice as to how to repair this I believe a leaky roof …I believe it is fiberglass…how do we proceed…thanks…inner has come apart….I am not sure if I got the leak fixed….help?
For me, I only use the coatings from the roof manufacturer, mostly for liability purposes and they should know their product better than a generic coating.
Nice video, However it would have been nice to show & tell a bit more in respect to how you sprayed or roller brushed the adhesive, brand you used. Rubber roofing although appearing to be a thin material is very heavy for a single lay down for one person to heave up on the roof. I would have liked to see if two guys huffed it up there or you simply used a forklift. Wished you put that in the video. Maybe next time you do a roof you can show that & a ballpark price of what that job billed out as.
Been watching your videos, great job. I have question. Have 05 transport tahoe by thor, would like to seal between the gutter meets the roof. What would you recommend for caulking? Thanks.
I totally messed up my epdm roof install i have some bubbles 2-3 inches wide in the middle and the glue is dry. Do you think i should pull it up and start over with another piece of membrane?
Under the molding/trim is butyl/putty tape which is the main seal or gasket. The sealant on top acts as flashing to direct water away. The sealant can be cleaned up with mineral spirits, but DO NOT USE it on the membrane. The membrane glue is water based so could be cleaned up with water, but I just throw the rollers away as it's more cost effective. Thanks!
Would u guys hire a roofer to do these type of re-roofs/repairs? I do single ply I'm actually thinking of applying at a local r.v spot we have out here
Great Video as always. When the driver pulled away I saw the front of trailer look like it was separating under the skin. isn't that a big problem down the road?
Yes there was delamination at the front cap wall. It is surprisingly common and not always due to water either(extreme heat will cause this). However, this was likely due to the roof leak, but it was merely cosmetic and the owner had already spent more than he wanted at this point. While removing the ladder I did not notice any signs of water intrusion and the interior wall and components did not show damage either. He will keep an eye on the front wall for further leaks or damage. Thanks!
This unit has a ladder at the front and a small rack/railing at the back. It was there quickly when I pointed out the back showing through the roof at the rear. Thanks!
James - can't get enough of your RV videos. I was curious to know if you could have replaced this roof with something other than rubber? Could you have used PVC or TPO? What are pro's con's? Cost/Benefits?
@@AZExpert Thanks James. I would love to be able to find an "honest" and reputable RV tech like yourself in my geography (Portland, Oregon area). Any suggestions?
Just roughly how much do you charge for a 30 ft roof epdm with new wood underneath ( parts and labor). I know this is a broad question but ours is almost done and we might need to have a person replace it.
what are your thoughts on Vacuum bonded fiberglass roofs on an older MH? RV manufacturers toute it as a more reliable feature but I have read that it is far less reasonable to fix if there is a need.
A true gel coat(molded fiberglass) roof is the best type of roof. It can be repaired, is very strong and has no seams and of course does not tear easily.
Love the attention to detail. Much easier to convince the customer to do the right thing when they can see how much work goes into your inspections.
I’ve been binge watching your videos lately and I’m learning a ton about rvs! Thanks for uploading and keep it up, rv doctor!
I don't think there is better praise than binge watching!!! Thank you!!
Buddy89 - Me too!
Right?! We purchased a 98 National Dolphin Motorhome last month and iand i know nothing of campers so i've been binge watching his videos ever since.
@@AZExpertoh yes me too ,re binge watching ...kinda reminds me of my days marketing for one if not biggest used Car Supermarket, what an education that was . This is my USA refresher, but RV's.., hey at 25:37 you fingered the tarp roof, for "solar wiring" you say, wouldn't that pool water ? Or is owner getting solar within a week,month of your roof repair ? .cheers bud
Ditto on the binge watching. My 2016 wolf pup needs a new roof so I am taking notes. First camper I ever owned and I should have walked the roof!!! Live and learn!
I do not own an RV, but I find your videos interesting. Good to find people who know what they are doing and actually do repairs the correct way.
Thank you very much....I watch a number of channels about sail boats and really enjoy them too and I'm sure I'll never set foot on one.
I don't know any RV repair centers that are not busy. After you see your videos you know why. You will be employed for life. I've had plenty of repairs in my 30 plus years of camping and continue with my current bus. Thanks so much for your content. I really appreciate it. Thankfully we have some good shops here in NC local.
Very true!
Just in time for a good call ☎️ timing is everything. 😊
James you are the man for sure I've gotten so much smarter just from your videos thank you sir
Interestingly, this Gulf Stream 5245, is the RV I wish to get. I'm a retired architect and reasonably clever ...I plan of taking the dinette OUT, replacing with a sofa and most likely cut back this protruding floor. After seeing this video of yours ...I would most likely put full length rollers under that floor slide out to distribute the weight. I also plan on reconfigure the full ht closet as behind it, there's lots of wasted uninstalled space. Sadly ..these manufactures could easily design & built these RVs to be less problematic at no additional cost. I've watched several of your videos ...you're extremely patient, clever and resourceful. Thanks for the info you provide. Pls stay safe, Blessings
As usual, AWESOME and accurate information! Just sishing for EXACT specification, sources, s and brands on replacement materials!
We bought our travel trailer 6 years ago. It is our first ever camper.
Last year we towed it 350 miles to a private resort in the middle of Nebraska, stayed for 3 months and then towed it back home.
But…
Before we did that I had to make sure it was road worthy and safe. Being a 35 year career journeyman diesel mechanic gave me an edge in some respects. I replaced the brakes, bearings and wheel seals, and added bearing buddies so I could grease the bearings on the road. During repairs I also found the old brakes wires weren’t even connected. Now the brakes work perfectly. I added 3 Fantastic vent fans or whatever they’re called, and modified 1 so we can reverse direction of the fan. An EASY modification that involves 1 switch, a little bit of wire and some hot glue.Additionally to that, I replaced ALL tires with new including the spare tire. I installed gas struts to the under bed storage to assist in lifting the brand new queen sized memory foam mattress, hung a new flat screen tv and connected a blue ray dvd player.
And to top it all off, I inspected, cleaned, and resealed the roof rubber membrane.
This tt is a 2006 Keystone Outback Sydney Edition.
Our trip last year went flawlessly. The brakes performed superbly, and towing was a breeze with new tires and a new used Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax L5P crew cab, 2019.
The work I did to this camper, to make it road worthy and safe, not just for us, but for everyone else on the road, was worth every penny. It was expensive, but worth it. And I fully enjoy that kind of work, not to mention it makes her HAPPY.
So this year, we had a HUGE hailstorm in June. Plus ANOTHER storm just a couple of weeks later that had 95+ mph straight line winds. The hail in the first storm was 3”-3.5” in diameter. It took out our AC unit, which is an old Carrier AirV, no longer produced and finding parts for is now impossible.
I turned the “hail damage” in to the insurance company thinking they might help with the AC unit.
NOPE 👎🏻
Not only did they total the camper because there is now delamination, broken AC unit, broken lights and roof damage, but, I don’t think we can afford to buy it back from them after the loan and claims are paid off.
I was hoping to use some of the money from the hail damage on my pickup to buy the camper back, but can’t because the claim check for the hail damage to the pickup is written to me AND the bank.
So not only are we NOT getting a new AC unit for the camper, but we are also out a CAMPER !
I feel like I should not have turned in the storm damages and just started over and fixed everything myself. Live and learn I guess.
The insurance company will own aour camper, the bank will be happy the loan is paid in full, but it’s starting to look like my “investment” is going down the drain.
Hoping the bank will help us finance a 5th wheel.
🙃😢
You are really a master at what you do, especially in the desert heat, underneath a metal roof to keep you out of the direct sunlight!
Every summer I decide to quit doing this.
AZ Expert I can’t even imagine what it’s like to do that work in the summertime, James!
Thank you. My 1996 Coachmen Catalina Sport motorhome has had so many dicor roof sealant coverings, that it all bubbled & started to peel after our last hurricane. (Nicholas) The rubber roof membrane under that is black. I plan on scraping down all the built up coatings & starting fresh as the actual membrane still looks good.
I did learn a few things from this video, so thanks again! 👍
Good Luck! Thanks for watching
Thanks for the information and best practices for repairs. I am finding a lot of “oem defects” and where oem cut corners on my RV resurrection project. I appreciate when you point those out.
I'm glad you're enjoying the videos. Good luck with your project!!
I was just about to use that popular self leveling seam sealer on my Winnebago! Now I can do it right with silicone. Why doesn't any of my Winnebago brochures say anything about this...??
Maybe I just glossed over this CRUCIAL fact. I learned a lot! Thanks!
Man I really appreciate your videos. I don’t even own an RV any more but I’m thinking of selling my house and moving into one instead. These are great videos for learning about the care.
Best of luck! I want to sell my house too!
These videos are so USEFUL!!! Thanks
Thank you very much again . I'm learning so much , and in the same time I'm removes fear .
I feels good to hear that I have helped!
Those Desert Fox rigs are generally pretty nice. Glad to see the owner decided to replace the roof.
His new name is Dr. RV Expert A thru Z. I am with Towellie! I have learned a lot DIY!
LOL Jerry! Thanks for watching!
Nice work again James! Thanks for the video
Regards, Myk
Thank you too!
Accidentally did a rubber roof. ha ha I am just glad we got another roof video. YAY !!!!!! All kidding aside. Great job !!!! Looks Great !!!!!!
Well, I don't know if you heard my dread during the "repair" part seeing it much worse than I thought , but, I'm sure you can understand that finding time/schedule for a large job you did not plan on can be stressful. Thanks!
@@AZExpert I totally understand your frustration. All you can do is move forward. The whole thing about parts getting hard to get is really starting to annoy me too. I have a popup in the garage with the Goshen Lift System. I don't know if I am ever going to be able to find parts for it.
Great video showing roof replacement..... what I would like to know is what would the cost be to have this done.... lets say reusing everything that was there already, no upgrades. I would be curious to know what to expect if I had to have this done on my 2018 Open Range Ultra Lite Model 2804 RK... Thanks
YEP... Binge watchin'... Lots to learn, Thanks for all the great info !
thank you very much, that's very flattering!
well done, great rv repair content
Glad you enjoyed it
Nice video. I’m a fan of automotive type covers for campers in the off season. The mid-Atlantic has 100 degree summers. Below zero winters. Humidity. Snow. Everything. My cover really keeps my TT clean.
Thanks, I'm more unconvinced about RV covers at least here in the desert, all the ones I see are torn by the end of the first year. But absolutely they are great way to extend the life of a RV and keep it clean!
AZ Expert in sure life in the desert is different. The UV and heat would break down the material fast. Plus the winds would tear them. Probably a covered structure would be best out there. I noticed how the white was gone and the rubber was showing. Maybe a spray on roof 😂 but we already discussed that in a prior video 😂 thanks for the videos 👍🏼
I have watched you . What a great job you do . I have a question about Gulf Stream class a country coach . The seam ends on the top before it goes over the side and water stand on both sides and end caps have the raised screw down where the roof membrane ends on both sides and ends are about 3/4 inch higher
I just spotted this one James and what a fine job you did.
I’m not going to buy any RV without a full inspection. There’s just too many cheats out there waiting for someone to take advantage of and they certainly do.
I’d be interested to know how much a replacement roof would cost 💲 if it’s possible for you to guesstimate?
I will be seeing you in the not too distant future and no worries as I will call you first after I have looked around especially if you make any suggestions.
Stay safe please 🙏🏻
Lorrie 🥰✊⭐️💫
Hi James, Quick question. I am replacing the membrane on my 2010 5th wheel Denali by Dutchmen and once I got the old one off, there remains a very sticky glue on the chipper board. Not my preferred materiel but I suspect it's for cost reasons. Is there something that can be used to remove the glue or is laying down a thin plywood over it the way to go? Great videos BTW, very informative.
Thanks for all your videos. I am an inexperienced DIYer, bravely tackling an RV roof replacement. Your videos have given me some confidence. I have all the components removed, and have torn all the wood off. When I tore the wood off, in the places where the wood was still in good shape, bits and pieces of the styrofoam came off with it. Will this be a problem when I come to re-glue new wood to it? Secondly, I want to put some additional support pieces in the front part of the RV. What is the best way to attach wood 2x2s to the existing metal frame pieces?
if the chunks of foam are large enough they should be filled yes. here is a roof I have to add framing too. th-cam.com/video/DahwsNTHG1Q/w-d-xo.html
Looks fantastic. Hope the rest of the RV was in good enough shape to justify the cost of the repair. What sealant was used on all those roof appliances?
Thank you for your videos, your explanations and honesty are what makes them so great. But, can you tell me why Eternabond tape will sometimes get ripples after being installed. I have a hard wall and roof A frame. The tape remains smooth and flat on the metal frame but over a short period of time it will ripple on the roofing surface. I have applied the tape for a second time on this one problem area.This time the rippling is worse. I’m at a loss for a reason why this happens. The tape has been used on the entire roof area, and I only have this problem on the rear width section. Any thoughts on why this happens?
Nice work on the roof. When pushing the unit into the garage I noticed what appears to be a fairly large delamination bubble on the front cap passenger side 2'07" so I would love to see a video of how you might go about addressing that.
Sidewall delamination can be a tricky repair. To properly repair it, the components, trim and sealant must be removed, the filon seperated from the luan paneling and new paneling glued on and the filon glued on. It's labor intensive and costly. Many people use some crazy epoxy vacuum setup which will stabilize but not make it look much better. Of course the location of the water leak should be found first. I generally can only film what I have been requested to do. If I get a delam job I will record it.
Have you ever used a wall paper scraper to remove sealant? I have had good luck with it.
How much better is TPO vs EPDM? Is it more expensive or just a newer type of covering? Thanks, Another Excellent Project...........
EMDM is a more expensive and durable product compared to TPO. I do like TPO though, it is less money has the same warranty and tends to "chalk" much less. Thanks!
I have this exact camper with a small leak on a seam. To seal and coat would i be better to put the eternabond over the edge molding or remove it?
Dicor question as ive never used it before. specifically the non-leveling type. is it thick in its consistency? i mean more than normal? i went to use some today and it seemed like it was thicker than it should be and was a struggle to apply and smooth out. not impossible, just a PITA and very messy when trying to make it look good. thanks!!
Dicor has the body of marshmallow creme, both the self leveling and non-self leveling styles. It does have a shelf life and if it's difficult to squeeze out a caulking gun then it is likely past its shelf life. Thanks!
@@AZExpert it was more difficult to get out of the gun than i would think was normal. Not two handed or anything, just tougher than i was expecting. And immediately tacky like i came back after 30min to tool it. Not a huge deal as it was just being used to reseal (remove, completely clean, reattach) running lights on my TT. Cleaned it all up and will be using silicone. Dont think that will be a problem as you taught, butyl tape is the primary seal, in this case silicone is redirecting the water and its not being applied over any other sealants.
Hey, found a new use for your favorite tape. Covers the giant 1" hole behind the running lights nicely.
I feel ya about the defective screws! I recently rebuilt a deck on my son’s house using the hidden screw system. When building the enclosed stairs I used angle brackets behind the step facias. And used Hillman wood screws to secure the brackets and facia and leading edge of the outside tread boards. It was so frustrating. They were of such soft metal that out of every 100 screws, 25 were bad or stripped the Phillips head when tightened. I used 3, 100 quantity packs of the wood screws. I also used about 700 of the Kregg deck screws for the deck and stair planks with similar results. All were “Made in China”!
Truly I want function over looks. Color would not deter me.
Wise choice
Hmmmm......I wonder if it would be a good idea to come up with a way to install a thin aluminum "shield" over the edges of RV roofs to protect them from tree branch scrapes/punctures/tears etc? Go inward maybe 6" and down the side far enough to just shield the gutter?
What is the best roof coating for a fiberglass roof
Thank you! This very helpful video!🖒
Glad it was helpful!
What is your opinion on pvc roof coverings? MI camping.
Very nice video, man that looks like a lot of work.
It was! Thank you!
very nice work!!
Would it be a good idea to use some bleach or mold inhibitor before washing the roof?
Found your channel a few weeks ago and went back and started from the beginning. Your content is so good I can't believe you didn't get more subscribers earlier, but I am glad to see you are at 76k now, but that is still way too low for the value you provide.
As a side note be very careful with just doing what the customer wants if you are not 100% comfortable with the repair, they can and will sue you and win in court. To long of story but decades ago a judge told me "you are the expert, if the customer wants something you don't think is correct don't do the job". Shame on me for not putting in writing and getting customer to sign that I did not recommend the said repair. Needless to say that scenario has never happened again in 40 years.
I just had a new EPDM roof put on my 41 foot "Sabre" 5th wheel. After a couple of weeks I am noticing quite a few angled wrinkles where the front cap meets the roof. Is there anything I can do with it or does it need to be redone? I really don't want to cut and patch a new roof.
Great video, very educational. Just curious to know if you used butyl tape under the metal rail that holds the rubber roof to the wall of the camper.?
Yes I did
What do you recommend for coating a epdm or tpo roof to make it last longer?
I don't really recommend it as it tend to peel or need re-touching annually.
This is a super video. In 2017, I encountered two problems when replacing the roofing membrane of my 2001Georgie Boy Landau. Some of the roof wood (1/4in luan, from memory) beneath the membrane had rotted so I replaced it. Applying the EPDM material began well and ended well but in the middle of the roof span a bubble formed, about 5ft x 3ft and also several wrinkles arranged themselves across the roof like small waves. I was so dispirited I parked the motorhome in its car port, where it has remained for four years. A few weeks ago, I climbed onto the roof to inspect it: the bubble was there but the wrinkles had miraculously disappeared. Can you explain what caused them to vanish?
Well done, great choice!
Thank you!
Installing a second Air Conditioner on my Forest River Salem 32BHDS. We got the old vent out, removing some of the sealant used we realize that there is a small hole or tear in the Rubber Roof close to the edge of where the air conditioner gasket will sit. Do you think it would be ok to shoot some DICOR under the air conditioner, and just be sure it spreads to cover anything? I think most all of it will be under the air conditioner gasket, but just want a little extra security. Or should I use some of the skylight sealant? We put the air conditioner on now with a bit of elastomeric caulk however read it won't stick to the rubber roof all that well so want a good seal. Camper sits under a carport so it's safe and well I don't think it would leak for a while, just want to get the best fix we can.
Thanks for any input you have. Oh and your videos are great. I have learned a lot.
In years past, some manufacturer did add sealant under the AC gasket, so it can be done, it makes removal difficult though. I think Dicor would do fine, it could also be a good application for eternabond roof tapes, as I think they are great for tears in membranes. Thanks!
@@AZExpert thanks for the help.
I have a question... I have a 2003 Bounder 39Z and the AC drain water is running down the front of the windshield and front corners, I have not inspected the roof as of yet but is this normal in any way? where should condensation drain run?
Great video and knowledge , that's exactly what I w need to get done on my rv , thanks for the video . Toronto Ontario , Canada
I'm glad it helped!
How much did this cost? Need to replace my roof and looking for some general concept of price.
Why is there not a lifetime system for RV roofs? I mean for what they cost they should last at least 25 years. I have an older Raptor toy hauler 39 footer. This is my third RV. I have in my brain as scary that may be a plan for a lifetime warranty RV roof. I’m going to try it on my own RV first. Now lifetime and testing are going to be a little difficult because I’m 58 years old. I do think it is possible to put a roof on an RV at about the same cost that will last at least three times to four times as long. Good video by the way. I hit the subscribe button.
The new roof looks really good.
Do they make different quality rubber roofs different types of rubber or whatever ?
In other words they make some a little thicker than others if you pay more ?
Keith
So is a 100% silicone roof coating ok?
Somewhat related question: I'm preparing to rebuild my 35 ft class A roof. It looks like the decking is just luan, assumed 1/4 or 3/8", I'd like to go with thicker plywood (and not that OSB garbage). How do-able would using 1/2" be? Thank you in advance.
Informative once again. Great example for new owners like me ... definitely was thinking "he's got to go back to the owner on this"
Yes, I was thinking that the whole time too.....I think you could hear the distress in my voice. Thanks!
hello from the ozarks!! what do you recomand to use when cleaning the roof like this one and do you use 303 protectent?
Soap and water is my go to, there is a Dicor rubber roof cleaner that works very well and yes I have used the 303, Dicor, and generic UV protectors I just follow the instructions from the manufacturer. Thanks!
I was hoping to see you just putting a coat on.what coating product do you recommend ?
any product recommended for a rubber roof
What size plywood is the base??
Love your videos. Would really like to know things like how much they paid for the toy hauler used. Would love to at least ballpark about what a new roof cost. Curious b/c we just bought a used class A and are learning. Thanks so much for the great examples of work!
I don't know what it was purchased for I I don't remember the cost of the roof off hand
What would be different about this if this was not a Fiberglass RV. What if it had been the Tin type stuff? I'm new to the channell. We bought a new Cherokee 23MK. I just want tips on keeping the roof in good shape before it gets bad. Love your videos. Thank you.
so, can you water seal that roof before the new cover install?
I've seen a "bulletproof" roof using enternabond rather than Dicor around the edges and around the fixtures. What are your thoughts on that?
Eternabond will still let water under the edge or fixture.. You still have to use Dicor to seal... I do love eternabond, it works well for many applications... especially beefing up areas...
Could print those roof gutter parts with a 3D printer? Just a thought to eliminate any future supply chain issues.
How do you recommend to fix tears on the edge of roof. Went through some branches and dragged along the edge. Not slashes more like pencil diameter holes every 6-10 inches or so.
Thanks for any help.
On membrane roofs, repair tapes are best for radius repairs...it does not look goo but is a good repair. Thanks!
I own a 2011 KZ 32 foot fifth wheel trailer. My roof probably needs replacing in a year or two. I need a 2' x 2' piece of wood replaced too at the front corner. There are 3 vents, skylight, TV antenna, AC, fridge and holding tank vents. The bathroom skylight will also require replacement. Can someone give me an idea on the cost? Thank you
Approximate cost for something like that roof to be replaced?
Great video!! In looking at my 2016 Coachman Apex Nano, the edges of the roof roll over the sides and is loose up and down both sides of the camper. I am assuming they didn’t pull the EPDM tightly over the edge. I have noticed two small spots of a half inch where it looks like the material is creased. Would it be good measure to cut some eternabond patches and lap over the edges and then seal the eternabond edges with Dicor? My wife wanted this trailer and it’s turning my hair grayer by trying to keep up with it!!! :)
I am not sure what you mean by creases. If they are cracks then repair tape is not a bad idea. Thanks!
AZ Expert I’m not sure if crease is the correct word, but it looks like a weak spot. Not a tear/cut, but a weak spot. I noticed it when cleaning the roof. Eternabond it is! Thanks again for all the great content and help!
masapell z
Great video, would love links to some of the items you used like the antenna and the replacement skylight with metal frame. I don't plan to do this myself but I know what to ask for when dealing with a repair company. Thank you.
artic fox still uses and install the skylight. I would get it from them or their dealer. Thank you!
In your opinion is a EPDM preferred over a TPO roof? I have EPDM on my ‘96 Coachmen RV which seems to be in good shape except for spotted stains. Needs a good cleaning.
epdm is the more expensive material, but I like TPO more personally
What would the ball park cost be for a 34 foot roof rubber replacement be?
Wow, that was a fun ride! ......... Do you do videos of delam repair? As usual, your are great at what you do.
Thank you. I haven't had an opportunity to record a delam repair, but it's is basically the same process I use on Winnebago roofs.
Is the Rubber Roof glued onto the Plywood underneath or laid on top without glue?
the rubber is glued to the plywood with a water-based adhesive
@@AZExpert Does water based adhesive mean that you clean up any spills or overspray with water, similar to how you clean up paint brushes when using water based house paint?
What happens when the adhesive dries? Can you clean it up with water after it dries or do you need another chemical?
@@AZExpert Great video, how do prep the existing luan if in great shape as once rubber removed there is tackiness on existing luan after old rubber removed. Do you need to lay new luan over existing or just glue right over existing tacky luan surface will it bond rubber to tacky luan? What type glue? Cheers
james I have 1997 winnebago minnie winnie class c. over cab all water damage. has cabinets the over bed. I want to remove it all. I haven't done tis before. Have I opened a can of worms? Thanks James from sc.
Always a good day when I get to spend a half hour with you James. As you video the previous owners bad roof repair I just shake my head constantly.
You mentioned you’re at the new shop. Is this your new shop or the dealers new shop? Thanks for this. Enjoyed it.
Thank you. It is something of a second home for me. My friend owns it and he has lease me some space. The other shop just was not getting used enough to justify the monthly lease as a majority of my work is dealer support and mobile work.
Do you ever do PVC roofs and heat weld the vents and AC?
A Chad sighting! Lol, the things you notice when you binge watch!!!
Thank you for watching. It's always great working with Chad!
You do. Good. Work
Thank you very much!!!
On my class my A. I really need advice as to how to repair this I believe a leaky roof …I believe it is fiberglass…how do we proceed…thanks…inner has come apart….I am not sure if I got the leak fixed….help?
ok. thanks
Hi...hey what kind of coating would you recommend to who just recoding a top what brand and what kind
For me, I only use the coatings from the roof manufacturer, mostly for liability purposes and they should know their product better than a generic coating.
I just bought a 92 Winnebago Adventurer that’s needs a complete roof replacement: a tree branch fell on it. What is you advice on how to go about it ?
that's a difficult one. Did you have insurance on it?
Nice video, However it would have been nice to show & tell a bit more in respect to how you sprayed or roller brushed the adhesive, brand you used. Rubber roofing although appearing to be a thin material is very heavy for a single lay down for one person to heave up on the roof. I would have liked to see if two guys huffed it up there or you simply used a forklift. Wished you put that in the video. Maybe next time you do a roof you can show that & a ballpark price of what that job billed out as.
Been watching your videos, great job. I have question. Have 05 transport tahoe by thor, would like to seal between the gutter meets the roof. What would you recommend for caulking? Thanks.
most manufacturers use a non-sagging acyrlic sealant...that is to say dicor that does not self level. Thanks!
I totally messed up my epdm roof install i have some bubbles 2-3 inches wide in the middle and the glue is dry. Do you think i should pull it up and start over with another piece of membrane?
A few bubbles I would live with, a very large section I would probably redo.....unless you have already put everything back together and sealed.
@@AZExpert thank you for your response.
Could you show the method you do to seal the leading and trailing ends?
What parts do you mean?
AZ Expert the leading edge is the front edge and trailing edge is the rear edge.you seemed to avoid putty ,makes sense because it drys out
Are the glues solvent clean up or water clean up based?
Thanks great presentation
Under the molding/trim is butyl/putty tape which is the main seal or gasket. The sealant on top acts as flashing to direct water away. The sealant can be cleaned up with mineral spirits, but DO NOT USE it on the membrane. The membrane glue is water based so could be cleaned up with water, but I just throw the rollers away as it's more cost effective. Thanks!
Where do i get that roof membrane
Would u guys hire a roofer to do these type of re-roofs/repairs? I do single ply I'm actually thinking of applying at a local r.v spot we have out here
Not sure if they are hiring, you'd have to ask them
Note to everyone, walk roof before buying a used RV.
Hi so what do you think about a one piece aluminium roof on a jayco eagal motorhome ? 1994 model its been panited white
Thanks man
You're welcome
Do you have any videos on repairing rotted interior walls? (Class A if that matters)
I have so many! Check out the video list
Great Video as always. When the driver pulled away I saw the front of trailer look like it was separating under the skin. isn't that a big problem down the road?
Yes there was delamination at the front cap wall. It is surprisingly common and not always due to water either(extreme heat will cause this). However, this was likely due to the roof leak, but it was merely cosmetic and the owner had already spent more than he wanted at this point. While removing the ladder I did not notice any signs of water intrusion and the interior wall and components did not show damage either. He will keep an eye on the front wall for further leaks or damage. Thanks!
What glue do you use on the Luan to foam?
Stabond e183 adhesive
You removed the luggage rack? I couldn’t see the before well but my ladder is part of the rack. Do you remove the ladder?
This unit has a ladder at the front and a small rack/railing at the back. It was there quickly when I pointed out the back showing through the roof at the rear. Thanks!
James - can't get enough of your RV videos. I was curious to know if you could have replaced this roof with something other than rubber? Could you have used PVC or TPO? What are pro's con's? Cost/Benefits?
PVC seems much better, TPO/Alpha is usually my go to
@@AZExpert Thanks James. I would love to be able to find an "honest" and reputable RV tech like yourself in my geography (Portland, Oregon area). Any suggestions?
Where are you located in Mesa Az?
My shop is located in Apache Junction, but it's not a public shop. I'm rarely there and I dont accept visitors for safety reasons
How do we get an estimate on roof replacement
Just roughly how much do you charge for a 30 ft roof epdm with new wood underneath ( parts and labor). I know this is a broad question but ours is almost done and we might need to have a person replace it.
I would guess $5000 to 6500 depending on the deck condition.
what are your thoughts on Vacuum bonded fiberglass roofs on an older MH? RV manufacturers toute it as a more reliable feature but I have read that it is far less reasonable to fix if there is a need.
A true gel coat(molded fiberglass) roof is the best type of roof. It can be repaired, is very strong and has no seams and of course does not tear easily.