Question about Roof cracks

[joseph.hinker]

Hello,

I am rebuilding an Eagle that was originally a Grandby. The roof was made smaller and I think that made the roof rip in a few places. The corners are also over lapped on each other.

Is this what is normally done on the corners? Also are the rips fixable? Could I use roof sealant, rubber tape or something else.

Photos are attached.

 

[Kolockum]

That happens when working with campers this old. I had that problem in almost the same places on my 2000 Eagle. I originally sealed them up with sitkaflex, 3M or silicone depending on what I was using at the time. It worked for a while.

Recently I coated the entire roof with Hengs Alkyd Fibered roof coating and wish I did that years ago. I took a gallon to coat the entire roof.

Since it looks like you have the roof off I would recommend looking for any low spots on the roof where water could puddle and try to fix them now. I have a fairly large spot right in front of my vent but I need to remove my headliner to fix it.

 

[joseph.hinker]

That happens when working with campers this old. I had that problem in almost the same places on my 2000 Eagle. I originally sealed them up with sitkaflex, 3M or silicone depending on what I was using at the time. It worked for a while.

Recently I coated the entire roof with Hengs Alkyd Fibered roof coating and wish I did that years ago. I took a gallon to coat the entire roof.

Since it looks like you have the roof off I would recommend looking for any low spots on the roof where water could puddle and try to fix them now. I have a fairly large spot right in front of my vent but I need to remove my headliner to fix it.

I’m definitely going to make sure the roof is in the best condition it can be before I put it on the camper.

I have a few questions about the roof paint:

How has the coating on the roof held up?
Does it add a lot of weight to the roof?
Are you able to drill through it? (If I want to add solar or roof rack )

 

[Kolockum]

I’m definitely going to make sure the roof is in the best condition it can be before I put it on the camper.

I have a few questions about the roof paint:

How has the coating on the roof held up?
Does it add a lot of weight to the roof?
Are you able to drill through it? (If I want to add solar or roof rack )

I have only had the roof coating on for a few months so I can't give you a long term review. I put the roof coating on in December and had the camper on my truck through the entire winter. The rain, sleet, snow, ice and COVID-19 (too soon?) have not affected it in the least. One interesting thing I noticed was the sound dampening properties of the coating. In heavy rain the camper is noticeably quieter. In fact I park the truck with the camper next to our bedroom and I used to hear (and enjoy) the sound of the rain coming down on the camper roof. Now I can't hear it at all.

The best part is all my small leaks instantly vanished. I no longer had the odd seepage or wet spot.

I would say it added ~10 pounds. Not much really.

And yes you can drill through it no problem.

One note on application: use a powdered detergent and replace all the screws with the next size up which are #10s. I did not use the neoprene/rubber seal washers.

 

[joseph.hinker]

I have only had the roof coating on for a few months so I can't give you a long term review. I put the roof coating on in December and had the camper on my truck through the entire winter. The rain, sleet, snow, ice and COVID-19 (too soon?) have not affected it in the least. One interesting thing I noticed was the sound dampening properties of the coating. In heavy rain the camper is noticeably quieter. In fact I park the truck with the camper next to our bedroom and I used to hear (and enjoy) the sound of the rain coming down on the camper roof. Now I can't hear it at all.

The best part is all my small leaks instantly vanished. I no longer had the odd seepage or wet spot.

I would say it added ~10 pounds. Not much really.

And yes you can drill through it no problem.

One note on application: use a powdered detergent and replace all the screws with the next size up which are #10s. I did not use the neoprene/rubber seal washers.

The rain, sleet, snow, ice and COVID-19 (too soon?) LOL

I already got new screws because a few of the screw holes were enlarged. Did you get the aluminum roof coating ? https://bendtrailers.com/fibered-aluminum-roof-coating-1-gallon-aluminum-48128-4/

 

[Kolockum]

I already got new screws because a few of the screw holes were enlarged. Did you get the aluminum roof coating ? https://bendtrailers.com/fibered-aluminum-roof-coating-1-gallon-aluminum-48128-4/

Yes that is the stuff. Just make sure you get the white colored stuff (if you want it). They have a grey color that they call aluminum that threw me off.

 

[klahanie]

my .02 is to mention an elasoteric coating.

According to the mfr (page 27), the item inked above, "stays flexible, expends and contracts with roof seams" so it might be fine but for myself, having used both paint on roof coatings as well as elastomeric coatings (in a non vehicle application), I do like an elastomeric for it's increased stretch and flexibility properties. These being especially important I think, in a mobile application.

Downside might be a relatively soft surface - the thumbnail test - this could mean less durability and tear resistance.

EDIT for link

 

[BBZ]

Hey all

I also did my roof on an old Grandby (80's)..
Roof was rough, good amount of spidering..

Its been 2 years. I used Gaco Roof which is a silicone based roll on product used on Flat Roofs (I am a roofing contractor). When applied to manufacturers recommendations on a roof it comes with a 50 yr warranty.

After 2 years, no problems. In fact it rained over an inch the other day and the camper was in the driveway.. again no problems..

 

[pods8]

If you have the roof off the camper to that degree have you considered just putting fresh aluminum down instead of coatings?