Community Forums

Bobcatt · 04-08-2011, 12:52 AM

I have a 98 colman santa fe the vinyl has sperated. Whats the best way to fix I dont want to have to replace it is ther any thing else that can be done. It cracking all over some has even broke off. Pleses help new to the pop up RV world. Bobcatt

Thorfinn · 04-12-2011, 09:06 AM

I don't know if it will help, but Home Depot sells white elastomeric roof coating. It dries to a flexible rubber coating. I am getting ready to coat my truck camper in a few days.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100317815/h_d2/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&keyword=white+roof+co ating&jspStoreDir=hdusΝ=P_PARENT_ID&navFlow=3&cata logId=10053&langId=-1&ddkey=Search

Bobcatt · 04-13-2011, 10:18 AM

Hay big thanks for the info il go check it out sounds quick and easy il let you know how it turns out thanks again bobcatt

StepheNancy · 04-15-2011, 07:41 AM

Bobcatt actually brings up a good point for us newbies. I've had my Jayco Baja for a couple years now and unfortunately have had to store it in the open. The TX sun can be pretty rough on cars and homes, let alone campers and RVs. On our last outing, I noticed some cracking and seperation along the seals on top of the camper. Nothing serious but probably needs some TLC and touch up to make sure it doesn't get any worse.

What's the best way to protect and get more life out of the seals on the roof for a pup that has to sit in the weather (read as blazing gulf coast sun!!) if a cover is not practical?

Thanks in advance for the input.

Steevo

Thorfinn · 04-15-2011, 09:31 AM

The sun can be brutal. Protecting the outside of your camper is as critical as protecting the outside of your car. For rubber seals Armour All or an equivalent will block the UV and keep the rubber soft. For caulking type sealers on the roof, scraping off the old and applying new is the only choice after it has cracked. Never put new sealant over old. I have used the white elastomeric coating mentioned before on mobile homes, and it worked very well even lowering the inside temp by 8-12 degrees during the day vs the metallic coating. I am planning to use the same on my truck camper this weekend. When waetherproofing be sure not to miss things on the sides like lights and hookups. When these seals go rain can sneak in and ruin your walls before you know it.

StepheNancy · 04-17-2011, 07:45 PM

Thanks Thorfinn. I'll try the coating you mentioned. A temp drop that significant while camping is worth giving it a shot in and of itself.

Bobcatt · 04-18-2011, 12:39 PM

well its time for another how to 98 colman santa fe how to light refigerator gas know instruction can't get it to light yes it has gas in the tank I'm doing something wrong. #2 i see a saftey cable to a box on the frame does this mean i also have elec brakes there is wire runing to the brakes. Every thing else works great . I think i have really bought a good popup trailer for cool 500.00$. Bob & Chrys can't wait to take it out.

Thorfinn · 04-19-2011, 03:04 PM

Camping world offers a service where they will go over all of the features and appliances with you to familiarize yourself. They inspect all the major systems and appliances. I have had this done a couple of times on used buys just to make sure that everything is safe and reliable. Always a bummer to find out there's a problem the first night of a trip.

If it has a breakaway cable, then it definitely has brakes (when you have a battery installed, at least).

pemsit · 05-08-2011, 03:02 PM

Try Walmart for the white elastomeric roof coating, it's about $20 for 5 gallon cheaper, just put it on my moble home and it did lower the inside temp. Make sure you put it on early in the day and in dry over 50 degree weather

GPW · 05-08-2011, 03:21 PM

I'm replacing all the caulk on my Jayco with Eternabond RV tape ... which has a UV coating built in .... Supposed to be good for many years ... Dicor isn't and requires frequent inspection/replacement , especially in out HOT climate and in the Sun ... I firmly believe the Only reason the manufacturers use the Dicor is it's CHEAP (for them) and Quick to apply and then move on to the next assembly .... and it gives the RV dealer a tidy sum , every year to change / re caulk ... My RV dealer wanted $1200.00 Every year for this service... and he recommended yearly replacement ...

That's just Crazy !!!

englishtoy · 07-04-2011, 08:10 AM

This is wonderful information, but unfortunately, our OLD Coleman needs a new roof. When we replaced the canvas, we found rotted wood. Anyone have a how-to? We love her and really want to get it back on the road, but we need to get this done first. It's killing us not to be camping.