Roof question...

Hooper · 10-15-2010, 11:40 AM

Hi everyone. I'm the proud owner of a 93 Coachmen Santara, class C. I'm wondering if I have a rubber roof or not. It feels like rubber, but it looks like it was draped over the roof and secured to the sides. It feels loose and has some bubbles in a few areas. Is this normal? I assumed a rubber roof would be glued or rolled on like paint. The roof looks fairly new and the interior is bone dry (touch wood) especially after some heavy rains.

DriVer · 10-15-2010, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hooper

I assumed a rubber roof would be glued or rolled on like paint. The roof looks fairly new and the interior is bone dry (touch wood) especially after some heavy rains.

In my experience with rubber roofs, they were not glued down.

Wanabee FTer · 10-15-2010, 09:11 PM

A rubber (EPDM) roof is similar to a car with a vinyl roof. It is a sheet of rubber that is stretched over the length and width of the roof. On a coach of that age the EPDM most likely has been replaced or recoated. If someone replaced the EPDM and left it somewhat loose that would be OK as long as it is sealed at all the openings properly. If it has been recoated with a cheaper latex product, bubbling and peeling may occur. If the later is the case either replace the EPDM roof (costly) or remove the previous coating and use a good EPDM coating such as Liquid Rubber brand roof coating.

**Gary RVRoamer** · 10-16-2010, 07:50 AM

My experience is the opposite of Driver's. A properly installed rubber roofs is always glued to the substrate, which is usually luan plywood.

Loose EPDM is not good because it gets sucked up by the low air pressure that flows over the roof as you drive. This stresses the material and tends to pull more of it loose. But its not a disaster either.

I'd inject glue under the bubbles and stick it back down if it were mine. Seal the site of the injection with EPDM roof caulk (EPDM lap sealant)