Anyone had their Hallmark reroofed?
- Thread starter ardvark
- Start date
Mighty Dodge Ram
Senior Member
Is this a “rubber” roof? If so, I helped a buddy replace one on his 18’ trailer. He stripped it and then bought all needed supplies on Amazon. It was surprisingly easy without a lot of drama and he saved a bunch of $$$. YouTube was his friend. I know this doesn’t address your specific question but tossing out another option if applicable.
smlobx
Lost again
Are you sure? There is another post on here where the OP has an '07 Hallmark and he says his is a rubber roof...ardvark said:
One of the reasons I went with Hallmark is their roof construction and the remote possibility of developing leaks compared to other manufacturers.
Just the smoothest slickest tightest rubber roof I have ever seen. Looks like fiberglass for sure.
However, regardless of what I have or don't have, it leaks where the vinyl joins the edge of the roof at the trim bar and I have discussed with Hallmark having it reroofed and am curious if someone else has gone that route how it turned out. If I posted pictures you would say the roof looks perfect as does the caulking. Talk to my wife and she will tell you it gets fixed or it goes and I agree. Just hate to trade it because we have made so many changes that work well for us.
Not trying to bad mouth Hallmark here. I think they do a very reasonable job. On the other hand, I would say the same thing about leaks my current dealer where I work as a tech says when folks ask him whether something leaks. "if it doesn't leak now it will sometime in the future". I have had my 04 apart well beyond what most folks might do and there are plenty of areas where it looks to me like leaks are sure to happen over time. Maybe Hallmark got better over the years.
There is not a one of these manufacturers that makes a perfect camper and it's not that the roof is made out of, it is how it is made that makes the difference.
However, regardless of what I have or don't have, it leaks where the vinyl joins the edge of the roof at the trim bar and I have discussed with Hallmark having it reroofed and am curious if someone else has gone that route how it turned out. If I posted pictures you would say the roof looks perfect as does the caulking. Talk to my wife and she will tell you it gets fixed or it goes and I agree. Just hate to trade it because we have made so many changes that work well for us.
Not trying to bad mouth Hallmark here. I think they do a very reasonable job. On the other hand, I would say the same thing about leaks my current dealer where I work as a tech says when folks ask him whether something leaks. "if it doesn't leak now it will sometime in the future". I have had my 04 apart well beyond what most folks might do and there are plenty of areas where it looks to me like leaks are sure to happen over time. Maybe Hallmark got better over the years.
There is not a one of these manufacturers that makes a perfect camper and it's not that the roof is made out of, it is how it is made that makes the difference.
2trout
Senior Member
What have you tried in regards to fixing leaks?
We have recently purchased an 04 Milner from a friend, and he had not experienced any leaks that he was aware of, but the last two days of some rain in my part of Colorado has revealed....water coming in. It appears that that water is gaining access at the trim edge area of the roof, and runs along the pop up canvas untill it finds a seam or window, then it comes in.
Trout
We have recently purchased an 04 Milner from a friend, and he had not experienced any leaks that he was aware of, but the last two days of some rain in my part of Colorado has revealed....water coming in. It appears that that water is gaining access at the trim edge area of the roof, and runs along the pop up canvas untill it finds a seam or window, then it comes in.
Trout
I have worked in the RV industry for nearly three decades and until I owned this camper I did not think a roof existed I could not caulk or rid of leaks, but this one has exhausted my wife and I and it is either a new roof or dump the camper. We have sealed the stitching on the windows both inside and out numerous times with aqua seal as well as caulked the entire roof twice and the entire camper once. the most frustrating thing is the roof looks to be in absolutely great shape. Not a scrape or tear in it all way down to the trim bar. Ours leaks up or down.
Our worst leak is the same as you report and it is wearing caulking #3 all the way around the front. I am only willing to spend so much time trying to repair or maintain anything so if you find the answer, please post it up.
Steve
Our worst leak is the same as you report and it is wearing caulking #3 all the way around the front. I am only willing to spend so much time trying to repair or maintain anything so if you find the answer, please post it up.
Steve
Will Hallmark guarantee their work? That’s a big investment if it doesn’t work.ardvark said:
smlobx
Lost again
Steve it's interesting that you said it leaks up or down.
That leaves me to believe that the leaking has nothing to do with the softwall as when it's closed the top overhangs the lower walls.
On my '16 Everest I don't believe there is ANY caulk on the roof other than a little around the vents but even there the roof structure is curbed and when the vent is closed, once again it overhangs the curb.
If you'd like, I can go over to my shop tomorrow and take some pictures of of various aspects of the roof if it would help you compare.
I do hope you get it figured out as these are great campers but as you said there is no perfect camper (or anything else).
That leaves me to believe that the leaking has nothing to do with the softwall as when it's closed the top overhangs the lower walls.
On my '16 Everest I don't believe there is ANY caulk on the roof other than a little around the vents but even there the roof structure is curbed and when the vent is closed, once again it overhangs the curb.
If you'd like, I can go over to my shop tomorrow and take some pictures of of various aspects of the roof if it would help you compare.
I do hope you get it figured out as these are great campers but as you said there is no perfect camper (or anything else).
2trout
Senior Member
Smlobx,
My and Steve's Hallmarks are both 2004. I believe that the roof construction is a bit different on the more recent years. My Milner has an aluminum skirting around the roof. Water seems to be finding its way behind the skirting but in front of the soft wall. On my new to me Milner, it is a problem only when to top is down.
Steve,
I spent yesterday and today digging out the original caulk, cleaning, and resealing the joint between the aluminum skirting and the roof. The original 13! year old caulk had cracked away from the aluminum skirting in many places and dirt and grime had found its way deep into the spaces. I completed 3 sides yesterday, and had a bit of rain on the new work......No leaks! The uncompleted rear of the camper where the door is leaked yesterday evening. There was a canopy anchored to the roof above the door, I removed the canopy and completed the final side today. I did not put the canopy back up as it seemed to allow water to pool behind it. With luck, Ill have a bit of rain yet tonight and Ill get another read on my work!
Trout
My and Steve's Hallmarks are both 2004. I believe that the roof construction is a bit different on the more recent years. My Milner has an aluminum skirting around the roof. Water seems to be finding its way behind the skirting but in front of the soft wall. On my new to me Milner, it is a problem only when to top is down.
Steve,
I spent yesterday and today digging out the original caulk, cleaning, and resealing the joint between the aluminum skirting and the roof. The original 13! year old caulk had cracked away from the aluminum skirting in many places and dirt and grime had found its way deep into the spaces. I completed 3 sides yesterday, and had a bit of rain on the new work......No leaks! The uncompleted rear of the camper where the door is leaked yesterday evening. There was a canopy anchored to the roof above the door, I removed the canopy and completed the final side today. I did not put the canopy back up as it seemed to allow water to pool behind it. With luck, Ill have a bit of rain yet tonight and Ill get another read on my work!
Trout
2trout
Senior Member
We had a pretty hard rain during the night last night, and my initial inspection reveals a dry interior!
My process was to first use a brush to remove loose dirt from the old calk as best i could. Then i scrubbed it down with acetone. Following that I removed the old caulk (and dirt/dust!) from between the aluminum skirting/trim and the roof with a variety of caulk removal tools and flat scrapers. A final scrubbing with acetone being sure to get down into the space as best i could. Finally wrapping up with new Geocell calk for RVs. initially, Ill call it a success, but only time will tell.
trout
My process was to first use a brush to remove loose dirt from the old calk as best i could. Then i scrubbed it down with acetone. Following that I removed the old caulk (and dirt/dust!) from between the aluminum skirting/trim and the roof with a variety of caulk removal tools and flat scrapers. A final scrubbing with acetone being sure to get down into the space as best i could. Finally wrapping up with new Geocell calk for RVs. initially, Ill call it a success, but only time will tell.
trout
Have been out West without cell for a few weeks so haven't been able to respond. Although my caulking on the leading edge for the roof looked good and has been maintained, my guess is water had seeped in and weakened the seal where the rubber roof joins the metal perimeter of the roof. From there it weeped into the vinyl.
In any event, along the way, the leading edge of the rubber roof completely lifted opening about a 1/2" gap. This was really a surprise to me as I saw nothing ahead of time suggesting things had progressed to that point. Putting weight on the roof closed the gap and for now Gorilla tape seems to be doing an excellent job of holding everything together and dry. We will be wandering about another month and will decide what to do when we get done traveling.
A complete roof with new vinyl is $5,000-$6,000 at Hallmark and I may just rebuild the roof myself. Have done a number of rubber roofs in the past, just never a pop-up. Also debating using Eternabond around the perimeter to lessen the need for constant caulking and just continuing to use the camper as is since everything else is working fine. Will know better once I get home and have the tools and time to access the damage properly.
Steve
In any event, along the way, the leading edge of the rubber roof completely lifted opening about a 1/2" gap. This was really a surprise to me as I saw nothing ahead of time suggesting things had progressed to that point. Putting weight on the roof closed the gap and for now Gorilla tape seems to be doing an excellent job of holding everything together and dry. We will be wandering about another month and will decide what to do when we get done traveling.
A complete roof with new vinyl is $5,000-$6,000 at Hallmark and I may just rebuild the roof myself. Have done a number of rubber roofs in the past, just never a pop-up. Also debating using Eternabond around the perimeter to lessen the need for constant caulking and just continuing to use the camper as is since everything else is working fine. Will know better once I get home and have the tools and time to access the damage properly.
Steve
2trout
Senior Member
Though my leaks seemed to be only on two sides, I elected to remove and redo all calk between the roof and the roof skirting. I will likely also add Eternabond taoe to make this the last time i have to deal with it.
trout
trout
Stitch
Advanced Member
I have a 2004 Guanella that was reroofed by a previous owner with their carbon roof. Works just fine and I’m happy someone else paid for it. It was a strong selling point for me.
We just got back in tonight. Had to reapply gorilla tape about every 500 miles, but doing that everything stayed dry. I doubt we will have Hallmark do a reroof as I don't see any way to get the money back out of it and I think Eternabond will do a perfectly fine job once in place and will be barely noticeable. The rubber is all in excellent shape and the roof simply lifted out of the metal trim on the front edge.
I did meet the owner of an identical Ute, but a 2013 model. Totally different animal from our 2004 and looks like the roof will really last. My own suggestion if buying a used Hallmark is to search of models post-2007 and forgo the rubber roofed models.
I did meet the owner of an identical Ute, but a 2013 model. Totally different animal from our 2004 and looks like the roof will really last. My own suggestion if buying a used Hallmark is to search of models post-2007 and forgo the rubber roofed models.
Hi new here with a recently purchased 2008 Outfitter Caribou 6.5. It's in above average shape for it's vintage. I haven't mounted it in my truck yet.
I noticed the construction and layout to be very similar to the Hallmark models, same lifting system, interior layout etc.
According to the previous owner, he dug out the old caulk, re-caulked and has had no leaks. I saw the Eternabond Amazon, the 4 inch variety and thought about going all the way around the perimeter edge of the roof where it meets the aluminum perimeter piece as a preventative.
Since some of you were asking about it I was wondering if you've had good luck with this method or others?
Thanks
I noticed the construction and layout to be very similar to the Hallmark models, same lifting system, interior layout etc.
According to the previous owner, he dug out the old caulk, re-caulked and has had no leaks. I saw the Eternabond Amazon, the 4 inch variety and thought about going all the way around the perimeter edge of the roof where it meets the aluminum perimeter piece as a preventative.
Since some of you were asking about it I was wondering if you've had good luck with this method or others?
Thanks
Back2gas said:Hi new here with a recently purchased 2008 Outfitter Caribou 6.5. It's in above average shape for it's vintage. I haven't mounted it in my truck yet.
I noticed the construction and layout to be very similar to the Hallmark models, same lifting system, interior layout etc.
According to the previous owner, he dug out the old caulk, re-caulked and has had no leaks. I saw the Eternabond Amazon, the 4 inch variety and thought about going all the way around the perimeter edge of the roof where it meets the aluminum perimeter piece as a preventative.
Since some of you were asking about it I was wondering if you've had good luck with this method or others?
Thanks
I answered in your other post.
Ardvark
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