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06-20-2011, 04:28 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 466
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We are considering purchasing a used rv that has about 10-12 bubbles in the rubber roof. That vary in size from golf ball to dime size, they appear to have air underneath. Anyone know if this means the roof will need to replaced or we should say no to this rv. There are no inside water stains or signs of leaks. Any info and comments would be appreciated. Thanks
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06-20-2011, 05:08 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 393
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Bubbles that small are really not a problem. It is not unusual to find small bubbles in the rubber roof. As long as they are not getting bigger, forget about it.
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06-20-2011, 05:18 PM
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#3
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Moderator Emeritus
Vintage RV Owners Club Texas Boomers Club Oklahoma Boomers Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 11,982
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I differ on this opinion. If the manufacturer takes the time to properly install the membrane, there should be minimal bubbles. Any bubble is a potential to become a problem later, especially near an edge.
We had a 1995 Avion 5er with a rubber roof and it was 14 years old when we sold it...no roof leaks and no bubbles on the roof. They took the time to properly install the roof.
Ken
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Amateur Radio Operator|Practicing for our retirement! 2008 Cameo 35SB3 - 2002 7.3L Crew Cab Dually w/ a SCMT - Max Brake - Travel with one Miniature Schnauzer, one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot
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06-20-2011, 05:54 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,386
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Most of those roofs have a 12 year warranty.
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2009 Amer Coach Allegiance 40X With Spartan Chassis
400 HP Cummins ISL
Pulling a Honda CRV
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06-20-2011, 06:06 PM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Vintage RV Owners Club Texas Boomers Club Oklahoma Boomers Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 11,982
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Read the rubber roof warranty....it covers only the membrane and no labor. The membrane is cheap compared to the labor. I'd insist on a better roof.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator|Practicing for our retirement! 2008 Cameo 35SB3 - 2002 7.3L Crew Cab Dually w/ a SCMT - Max Brake - Travel with one Miniature Schnauzer, one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot
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06-20-2011, 06:13 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Gulf Streamers Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: 7 Feathers, Oregon
Posts: 1,780
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Quote:
Originally Posted by faye
We are considering purchasing a used rv that has about 10-12 bubbles in the rubber roof. That vary in size from golf ball to dime size, they appear to have air underneath. Anyone know if this means the roof will need to replaced or we should say no to this rv. There are no inside water stains or signs of leaks. Any info and comments would be appreciated. Thanks
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Ask the seller if has recently recoated the rubber roof. Cheaper acrylic latex coatings are known to bubble and come off soon after they are applied.
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John
'98 Gulf Stream Sunsport 325, 7.5L Banks Power Pack, Koni FSD's, Air Bags, ReadyBrute Elite,
2000 Honda Accord
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06-20-2011, 06:14 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 466
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Thanks for the responses, a few of these bubbles are golf ball size. We spoke to a seervice tech and was told to rub the bubbles and that if any black came off the roof needed replacing. This rv is 7 years old. WE WERE TOLD IT WOULD COST ABOUT 4,000 TO REPLACE THE ROOF, DOES THIS SOUND RIGHT?
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06-20-2011, 06:25 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 35
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I'd pass on this one. Bubbles mean the adhesive is no longer holding that part of the rubber roof down. Could be the roof was washed with a cleaner that had petroleum in it.
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06-21-2011, 01:53 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner Forest River Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Vaughn, WA
Posts: 541
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Good luck finding a used RV that is perfect.
Without seeing it and knowing the history of the roof (was it improperly cleaned?) you would be taking a chance.
That said, the job of the rubber membrane is to keep out the rain and elements and apparently it is doing a good job of that since you say there are no signs of leaks and you do not mention any cracking of the rubber.
Is it perfect? No. Is it doing its job? Yes. Hey, that kinda describes me. 
Like I said, good luck finding that perfect RV.
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Nick
1995 Coachmen Santara 360MB 36' w/slide.
Ford F53/460 chassis, 1990 Jeep Cherokee "toad"
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06-21-2011, 02:42 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 16
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I have noticed bubbles on my rubber roof also...so far no leaks...I have read that you can inject butyl rubber caulk with a syringe though I haven't tried it yet...I would think it would take a big needle. Has anybody done this? John
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06-21-2011, 03:08 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 30
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Rockman1
I have noticed bubbles on my rubber roof also...so far no leaks...I have read that you can inject butyl rubber caulk with a syringe though I haven't tried it yet...I would think it would take a big needle. Has anybody done this? John
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If it not leaking I would leave it be and I don't think I would inject the areas you than may open a hole for a leak
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06-21-2011, 03:39 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Appalachian Campers Newmar Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner Coastal Campers Nor'easters Club
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 703
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Quote:
Originally Posted by faye
Thanks for the responses, a few of these bubbles are golf ball size. We spoke to a seervice tech and was told to rub the bubbles and that if any black came off the roof needed replacing. This rv is 7 years old. WE WERE TOLD IT WOULD COST ABOUT 4,000 TO REPLACE THE ROOF, DOES THIS SOUND RIGHT?
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We paid about $3000 6 years ago to replace the rubber roof on our 26' class C we owned at the time, so $4k sounds right.
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Stewart, Brenda and kids
2008 Newmar Canyon Star 3410
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06-21-2011, 03:46 PM
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#13
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Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner Thor Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Sothern Arizona
Posts: 87
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Our brand new 2011 Four Winds Serrano came with bubbles in the TPO roof, some 3" or more does this mean it should be replaced? I have had a bunch of RV's but none with a TPO roof.
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"Got a dog for my kid, the best trade I ever made"
Bob, Rita and the better half of my trade, Pudgy
2011 Serrano, 2012 Jeep Patriot on tow dolly 
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06-21-2011, 04:01 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Mcdonough, Ga.
Posts: 1,394
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Quote:
Originally Posted by faye
We are considering purchasing a used rv that has about 10-12 bubbles in the rubber roof. That vary in size from golf ball to dime size, they appear to have air underneath. Anyone know if this means the roof will need to replaced or we should say no to this rv. There are no inside water stains or signs of leaks. Any info and comments would be appreciated. Thanks
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As ser. mgr. I was on hundreds and hundreds of MH roofs. Many had small airbubbles under them. I bought my motorhome with several air bubbles showing. I have had it 4 years and they have not changed or gotten worse. The only ones we had a problem with were the ones with a large bubble just behind the cap. The air comes up and over the front cap and causes a low pressure area. This causes the rubber to flutter and will tear loose. Again the bubble has to be large. About 8X12 in. or larger. This only happened with two coaches in 15 years.
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15 year motorhome service manager. 3 popups....2 travel trailers....5 motorhomes....loved them all.
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