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scenic route · 10-15-2015, 10:32 AM

I think I'm in love. This puppy looks great in every respect except the roof. There is no evidence of any water stains or damage from the roof or anywhere for that matter. But, when I went on the roof, it did feel like there was a slight 'give' between the top layer and the sub-surface. From what I've read so far, the top layer is BriteTek and some of this material has a backing and some doesn't??? This is what it feels like...maybe the backing has deteriorated and separated from the structural material. Is this a possibility or normal for a DS roof? Has anyone had this symptom... should I run from this unit?

DGBPokes · 10-15-2015, 11:31 AM

We bought a used '07 KSDP this spring. I climbed up the ladder and gave the roof a cursory look. It has been in the shop getting a new roof the past 9 days.
Needless to say, I am upset, but it is what it is. We love the coach, have made some improvement, and expect to make more every year. We got it at a good price, now the price was only reasonable. But, we enjoy the coach and know that they are not cheap to own and operate. It is for good times, and I am bless d to,have it and enjoy it.....and I expect to leave this world broke....the same way I came in.

scenic route · 10-15-2015, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGBPokes

We bought a used '07 KSDP this spring. I climbed up the ladder and gave the roof a cursory look. It has been in the shop getting a new roof the past 9 days.
Needless to say, I am upset, but it is what it is. We love the coach, have made some improvement, and expect to make more every year. We got it at a good price, now the price was only reasonable. But, we enjoy the coach and know that they are not cheap to own and operate. It is for good times, and I am bless d to,have it and enjoy it.....and I expect to leave this world broke....the same way I came in.

Ouch! Sorry to here of your trouble. Great attitude though and good luck with the repairs.

I was hoping to hear from someone, with the same model/vintage as the DSDP I'm looking at, that could tell me if this is a non issue or an area of concern. I just don't have the 'base' to walk into a known, possibly very expensive repair right off the bat. I know I'm a little gun shy...faced with a steep learning curve of a 'first time diesel' purchase - and trying to hold on to some $$$ for the 'unknown'.

Mr_D · 10-15-2015, 12:09 PM

We traded our much loved '02 DSDP 4090 in in Feb of this year. The roof was BriteTek and had given us NO trouble. All BriteTek has the backing. As to "give", the substrata is a thin Luan backer and there is some give to it, just as there is in the full fiberglass roof of the present Magna.
The "rafters" are on 16" centers and there is some give between them. Unless it is very soft I wouldn't worry about it.

scenic route · 10-15-2015, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

We traded our much loved '02 DSDP 4090 in in Feb of this year. The roof was BriteTek and had given us NO trouble. All BriteTek has the backing. As to "give", the substrata is a thin Luan backer and there is some give to it, just as there is in the full fiberglass roof of the present Magna.
The "rafters" are on 16" centers and there is some give between them. Unless it is very soft I wouldn't worry about it.

Thanks Mr_D. Or is it 'Dr_D...cause I feel so much better!

As I mentioned, I looked in every nook and cranny...there is no evidence of any leaks, so this is good positive news.

DGBPokes · 10-15-2015, 02:11 PM

Yep, mine had three spots, so soft it felt like you could break thorough. The rest just flexes ( under my 240 #)

scenic route · 10-15-2015, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGBPokes

Yep, mine had three spots, so soft it felt like you could break thorough. The rest just flexes ( under my 240 #)

Yikes, Luckily, I didn't feel anything like that, so it's still in the game. I did hear and feel some flexing as I went up the ladder...I think I maxed it out...hovering around 240lbs. myself.

Indy Glenn · 10-16-2015, 06:49 AM

Proud owner of a DSDP 3972.

I was just up on the roof yesterday inspecting and filling in some hairlines with lap sealant.

Yes - my Brite Tek roof has a little give in the rear.

I do not get the feeling as if my 195#s would break through and I feel confident as my coach was in the shop at Newmar last winter fixing a leak under the rear AC. I also chose to have the insulation and bedroom ceiling panels replaced so everything was basically exposed and no report of any other problems .

And of course - have an inspector do a "walk-thru" before you purchase for additional confidence.

Good luck - our 2002 is 13 years old and we always get compliments about our coach. We love it!

Take care,

g

JFXG · 10-16-2015, 09:13 AM

scenic, it's hard to tell just by the feel. All MH roofs have some flex. That is one of the things that annoys me about ALL builders of RVs. They mount a dozen or more things on the roof that require periodic attention, making it a certainty that people will be tromping around up there, and then they use skimpy, thin panels of cheap luann for roof sheathing-- stuff that wouldn't even meet code if it were on a land based house. So the more you try to take care of your roof, the more likely it is that you'll somehow damage it. :-/

John & Diane, fulltiming since '12
'02 DS, FL, 3126, '04 Element

scenic route · 10-18-2015, 10:10 PM

Thanks everyone...still have to wait to see where the price ends up, but it looks like this unit is still in the running.

Mr_D · 10-18-2015, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scenic route

Yikes, Luckily, I didn't feel anything like that, so it's still in the game. I did hear and feel some flexing as I went up the ladder...I think I maxed it out...hovering around 240lbs. myself.

Our ladder felt that way on the '02 DSDP even with my 180#'s on it, well add a few #'s for clothing since I don't go outside naked. Don't want to scare the neighbors!