Questions on a roof repair on 2018 Aspire

[srgdrum]

Hello- First time poster! Thanks for all the info so far. Greatly appreciated.

Clifs Notes: I'm in the home stretch on the purchase of a 2018 Aspire. In the inspection it turns out that the dealer has replaced the ceilings, but the previous owner did a "patch" fiberglass repair to the roof itself.
My understanding of the repair is that it's a 5' wide piece of fiberglass glued down (or somehow bonded) to the existing one piece roof.
The dealer didn't reveal this repair (or their replacement of the ceiling) to me during our negotiations so I feel like something more is being hidden.

I'd love to hear from some of you pro's out there and how you would proceed... Or if you even would.

Thanks again for any insight or info.

[ransil]

I would figure that the wood under the fiberglass roof / patch is rotted if there is just a patch over the old roof.

[voltdoc]

It's hard to say about the repair, however, here is some info about the roof (and wall) construction that may be of value.

Like its Travel Supreme ancestor, and unlike most other builders that use lower cost foam filled vacuum bonding techniques, all Entegra Aspire/Anthem/Cornerstone are built using what has been called "hung wall" construction. See this article for more details, but basically it is built like a house except the studs are aluminum.

The roof has aluminum trusses and is filled with fiberglass batting. Plywood covers the trusses. A single thin fiberglass sheet called "Filon" then covers the plywood. Filon comes in a coiled form much like a rolled up carpet. It is thin enough to flex, but much more durable than say, a rubber membrane. However, while it is one piece, it is much different than a molded fiberglass assembly such as a boat deck.

The Filon has a gelcoated exposed surface and repairs for minor cracks or punctures are probably similar to any other fiberglass assembly. Anything that punctured the Filon probably damaged the underlying plywood as well.

Sorry to put a damper on what should be an exciting process, but this possibly sounds like a significant event if it involved replacement of the interior ceiling as well. "Previous owner did a patch repair" would be of concern. Perhaps there is possible hidden structural damage as well.

But even if the repairs are perfectly adequate, the attempt to hide them is the worst part. This alone could be a reason to walk away. OTOH you now may hold a significant negotiating card.

Good for you for uncovering these issues. Perhaps knowing how the roof is constructed will allow you to make a more informed decision. Best of luck!

[Turbojack]

I would say walk away. If nothing come up you will be good. If a problem does come up you will keep kicking yourself for not walking away. I bet there are other ones out there.

[srgdrum]

Originally Posted by voltdoc

It's hard to say about the repair, however, here is some info about the roof (and wall) construction that may be of value.

Like its Travel Supreme ancestor, and unlike most other builders that use lower cost foam filled vacuum bonding techniques, all Entegra Aspire/Anthem/Cornerstone are built using what has been called "hung wall" construction. See this article for more details, but basically it is built like a house except the studs are aluminum.

The roof has aluminum trusses and is filled with fiberglass batting. Plywood covers the trusses. A single thin fiberglass sheet called "Filon" then covers the plywood. Filon comes in a coiled form much like a rolled up carpet. It is thin enough to flex, but much more durable than say, a rubber membrane. However, while it is one piece, it is much different than a molded fiberglass assembly such as a boat deck.

The Filon has a gelcoated exposed surface and repairs for minor cracks or punctures are probably similar to any other fiberglass assembly. Anything that punctured the Filon probably damaged the underlying plywood as well.

Sorry to put a damper on what should be an exciting process, but this possibly sounds like a significant event if it involved replacement of the interior ceiling as well. "Previous owner did a patch repair" would be of concern. Perhaps there is possible hidden structural damage as well.

But even if the repairs are perfectly adequate, the attempt to hide them is the worst part. This alone could be a reason to walk away. OTOH you now may hold a significant negotiating card.

Good for you for uncovering these issues. Perhaps knowing how the roof is constructed will allow you to make a more informed decision. Best of luck!

Thank you so much for the valuable information. You are right. Knowing how the roof is constructed is extremely helpful. I've got a call with NIRVC to day to try to figure this all out.
I think I would like them to offer either a comprehensive warranty or a replacement of the entire roof.
Thanks again. I wil report back what we decide to do.

[srgdrum]

Originally Posted by ransil

I would figure that the wood under the fiberglass roof / patch is rotted if there is just a patch over the old roof.

I'm afraid that you are right. I hope to find out more info today.

[srgdrum]

Originally Posted by Turbojack

I would say walk away. If nothing come up you will be good. If a problem does come up you will keep kicking yourself for not walking away. I bet there are other ones out there.

I think you maybe right on the walking away. However, I'm having a tough time finding another coach out there that checks most of our boxes. That being said, I'm going to do my best not to buy someone else's problems.

So many hidden pitfalls and traps. It's hard not to feel like we are getting scammed at every turn.

Thanks for your input bro.

[hamm2018]

If you are really wanting this rig, I would get some estimates on a roof replacement job. We had Flex Armour roof installed on our big 5th wheel rig. It has been great upgrade. In November 2023, the price was about $200/linear foot. But that price varied depending on location of the shop because of local taxes. Our roof was $11,500 for our 45-foot rig.

I would talk to them and other companies, then use these numbers to negotiate a better price point.

https://rvroof.com/

[Hayman]

If I'm reading your post correctly the Dealer is NIRVC ?

You have no way of knowing how much potential damage is inside roof , walls or even the floor . Maybe there is none , maybe there is mold and maybe damage is extensive but why take the chance as there are plenty of really good used MH's on the market and no warranty can make up for the loss of use or mental aggravation this could create .

The advice to walk away is very good except I would add RUN !

[srgdrum]

Originally Posted by hamm2018

If you are really wanting this rig, I would get some estimates on a roof replacement job. We had Flex Armour roof installed on our big 5th wheel rig. It has been great upgrade. In November 2023, the price was about $200/linear foot. But that price varied depending on location of the shop because of local taxes. Our roof was $11,500 for our 45-foot rig.

I would talk to them and other companies, then use these numbers to negotiate a better price point.

https://rvroof.com/

Yeah. That's the trouble. I like the rig and don't have an alternate at this point.

I've asked for pictures of the repair and any info they have. Hope to have that today.

I spoke with a few people and their estimate for a new roof was right in line with what you paid. Thanks for the breakout of your pricing. This 44R floorplan is 45' long too. If they would replace the roof, pay for a mold test and warrant the work, I guess we'd still be alive on the deal.

[srgdrum]

Originally Posted by Hayman

If I'm reading your post correctly the Dealer is NIRVC ?

You have no way of knowing how much potential damage is inside roof , walls or even the floor . Maybe there is none , maybe there is mold and maybe damage is extensive but why take the chance as there are plenty of really good used MH's on the market and no warranty can make up for the loss of use or mental aggravation this could create .

The advice to walk away is very good except I would add RUN !

Yeah Hayman, It's NIRVC. I hope they have pictures of the repairs they have made. I'll keep y'all posted.

[ransil]

I would only settle on a Flex Armor roof, not a like kind replacement ( we already know how that worked out), someone on here had theirs done with flex armor and included pricing , I would use that number ( plus inflation) as a price off the sale price, I liked the fact they used zip panels they would help with rot the next time.

If you do come up with a price with the dealer do not pay until the roof is replaced to your satisfaction, dealers like to take your money then take 6 month or longer to fix stuff.

[Argosy]

That's a huge patch, and if the ceiling was also replaced it sounds like something went through the roof, a big branch? Fiberglass batt insulation takes forever to dry up, it's like a giant sponge sealed in a wall or ceiling.



I don't like not knowing what I don't know. You don't know what happened or anything about the repairs. I'd also walk, it's a buyers market and with the state of the economy I don't see that turning around anytime soon.

[srgdrum]

Originally Posted by ransil

I would only settle on a Flex Armor roof, not a like kind replacement ( we already know how that worked out), someone on here had theirs done with flex armor and included pricing , I would use that number ( plus inflation) as a price off the sale price, I liked the fact they used zip panels they would help with rot the next time.

If you do come up with a price with the dealer do not pay until the roof is replaced to your satisfaction, dealers like to take your money then take 6 month or longer to fix stuff.

Thanks for the advice. I had the figure of $15k in mind.

I've heard so many horror stories that I'm just totally gun-shy of this whole thing really. Not trying to poison my family in a moldy bus.