Community Forums

first5thwheel · 05-18-2012, 10:11 PM

Hello Forum,

Have a question.

I will be setting up my unit for about 9 months of full timing in the beautiful state of WA.

The park I am going to be staying at will have a canopy of pine trees with very small pine cones. About the size of walnuts. While my site has a great overhead clearing, there are no limbs that protrude directly over the 5th Wheel.

My question is given the weather in the Puget sound and I will be on one of the islands in the Peninsula, there will be cloudy days and rainy days and sunny days as the summer comes on with a turn into the best weather months of Aug and Sep.

Any tips on roof care given the fact I will be in a damp location and have many small pine cones that I am sure will find there way onto the roof?

I have already coated the roof back in DRY sunny CA before arriving with Heng's white rubber roof coating as I have a rubber roof.

Just wondering if they made any kind of light weight roof shield that may sit atop the rig to help with debris and the such?

If anyone would know the folks in here would.

Open to any tips or suggestions to keeping the roof in good condition in a wetter climate with more cloudy days than sunny. The attached picture shows what the roof looks like now. I am sure when I pull out of here at the end of my stay it may not look as nice as it does now?

Ray,IN · 05-18-2012, 11:11 PM

Just make sure you have no leaks, the EPDM material will be fine. Other than a portable RV shelter you have few options for a roof over your 5er. These shelters are made with a tarp covering or a metal covering that comes down about 2' on the sides, but I doubt either will work with extended slides without modification.

Mr_D · 05-18-2012, 11:45 PM

We live in WA, our MH is stored under fir trees beside the house and our roof looks great after 10 years there. Yes, I have washed it once a year but that's it. I could get it a little cleaner if I scrubbed. We have a BriteTek roof and I have used 303 on it a couple times over the years.

steelheadbluesman · 05-18-2012, 11:46 PM

Nice roof! Small pine cones and other debris won't hurt. When it's all dried out, it comes off easily. I've spent many winters in Oregon, but I have to admit my roof no longer shines. Sounds like a great stay in Washington

Frantz · 05-19-2012, 12:19 AM

Arrived on the Oregon Coast November 2 last year and have been here since with the exception of April 23 - May 14 which were spent near Centralia, WA. We have weathered some BIG winds and LOTS of rain. Our roof may not be super clean, but it is free from leaks. DH cleans & uses Mop & Glow once a year. You should be fine.
What a super location to spend 9 months. It might surprise you and not be very rainy.

first5thwheel · 05-19-2012, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

We live in WA, our MH is stored under fir trees beside the house and our roof looks great after 10 years there. Yes, I have washed it once a year but that's it. I could get it a little cleaner if I scrubbed. We have a BriteTek roof and I have used 303 on it a couple times over the years.

That is very good news. Thanks so much for letting me know I should not have issues.

first5thwheel · 05-19-2012, 08:23 PM

Thanks so much all for your replies. Mop & Glow... would have never guessed. Does that repel water? That will not hurt the rubber roof right?

Very interesting.

Frantz · 05-19-2012, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by first5thwheel

Thanks so much all for your replies. Mop & Glow... would have never guessed. Does that repel water? That will not hurt the rubber roof right?

Very interesting.

Hmmmm, don't know about a rubber roof, we have fiberglass.

Sorry, should have read your description better.

Hopefully someone will provide an answer for rubber roofs.

Ray,IN · 05-19-2012, 09:50 PM

If any product lists "petroleum distillates" on the labeling, do not use it on EPDM "rubber" roofs!

therink · 05-20-2012, 04:55 PM

It would be a good idea to get up on the roof once a month and blast the gutters out with a hose to ensure good drainage. This will also help keep the sides cleaner.

first5thwheel · 05-21-2012, 10:57 AM

Thank you will do. Good point on keeping the small gutters clear.

rrray · 05-30-2012, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frantz

Arrived on the Oregon Coast November 2 last year and have been here since with the exception of April 23 - May 14 which were spent near Centralia, WA. We have weathered some BIG winds and LOTS of rain. Our roof may not be super clean, but it is free from leaks. DH cleans & uses Mop & Glow once a year. You should be fine.
What a super location to spend 9 months. It might surprise you and not be very rainy.

Frantz - while on the Ore coast, has the salt air caused any problems with you rig ? We were on the coast highway(101) for seven weeks. Noticed some small rust spots on the wheel caps of trailer.
Ray

Mr_D · 05-30-2012, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrray

Frantz - while on the Ore coast, has the salt air caused any problems with you rig ? We were on the coast highway(101) for seven weeks. Noticed some small rust spots on the wheel caps of trailer.
Ray

Salt air will cause problems whether in WA or FL.

wa8yxm · 05-31-2012, 09:58 AM

When I first read the subject of this thread my first thought was "What is what the ROOF is for, protecting from wet weather".

After reading the details.. No change.

I would, check it over well (Sounds like you have done this)

And when you are ready to pack up and hit the road, Sweep it off.

Then when you get back home check it again and if indicated grab the mop, bucket, spic & Span and garden hose and mop it down.

That's how I do mine.. Just like a kitchen floor for the most part.