Roof repair question - Keystone Montana - RV-Dreams Community Forum

cejones4210 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Roof repair question - Keystone Montana

cejones4210 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Need hints on how to add pictures from my iPad?

cejones4210 · RV-Dreams Family Member

ontheroadwithnacho.blogspot.com/2016/05/help-from-rv-dreamers.html

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

Eternabond tape for any tear or seam repairs would be the best. However you have a serious issue with that roof and it should be ripped off, inspected, repaired and re-roofed. Pretty rough for a 2013.

Lucky Larry · RV-Dreams Community Member

cejones4210 wrote:
Advice on fifth wheel roof concerns.

We have a 2013 Keystone Montana with a rubber roof (TPO material?).

Went up on the roof yesterday to clean it as we prepare for this summers camping trips and noticed some concerns, I would appreciate thoughts from the forum.

1). Running side to side across the the roof are "buckles" in the roof rubber. These are very pronounced and spaced about every 4 feet perhaps where there is a roof truss underneath. There are 5 of these buckles over the length of the roof and run all the way side to side. Is this normal and should I be concerned about roof failure in the future as these buckled areas will likely catch the wind as we go down the road and maybe grow bigger?

2). There is one small tear in the roof, About 1 1/2 inch long. What is the best way to repair?

3). Over the winter here in Iowa I noticed what looked like soot particles covering the roof. Too frozen to address then. Now the particles are gone but the roof is covered with light blue "freckles" that will not clean off with Dawn dish detergent. You can notice them in the pictures of the items above. Any suggestions for removing them?

Thanks in in advance for any help you can offer. We appreciate the know-how of the members of the forums and your willingness to help.

Dave
P.S. Having trouble inserting the pictures with my iPad. Will add them in the comments. Sorry!!!
Candy

Sounds like the top is shrinking.

I saw the identical things (1. and 2.) on a TT I bought from a private seller who offered to tow it to my place (about 20 miles).

Unfortunately it rained and during that short haul that 1.5" tear leaked - I noticed a drip and placed a bucket under it - 3 gallons.

Apparently even more went down in the walls and did massive damage.

I tried a patch on the tear but as the top shrunk it just pulled loose each time.

Howard · Host

Hey Candy,

Sorry about the roof issue. I sent you an email with some suggestions. For the benefit of others reading this thread, here was my response:

"Yeah, I'm not liking the looks of that roof. I don't know if the roof itself is defective, if the prior owner used incorrect cleaning materials (i.e. petroleum based), or if water seeped under the rubber through the small tears. The small tears are easy to fix with Eternabond tape or Liquid Rubber, but the damage may have already been done. Still, fix those small tears as soon as possible - it's not hard as even I can and have done it numerous times.

As for the overall solution, I recommend sending your photos to our friends David & Jennifer at RVRoof.com and see what they might suggest. Tell them we sent you and I trust they will give you an honest assessment."

cejones4210 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Howard and all,
Thanks for the responses. We also posted on the Montana owners forum and everyone there seemed to think the wrinkles were normal. I am having trouble with that opinion. So we headed north to the closest Montana dealership.
Here is the link posted of what we were told

ontheroadwithnacho.blogspot.com/2016/05/additional-roof-comments.html

We will put the conditioner on as soon as we have a morning with no rain, has rain the last four days.
Dave did get the tears fixed with Eternabond tape. Thankfully got that accomplished before the rain started, by minutes!

We will check the roof frequently to monitor any changes. Heard back from Keystone and no
Help from that direction. We will probably apply the sealant also before we leave for the PNW.
I tried to find an email for RVRoof.com but couldn't find one. Is there one available?

Again, thanks Howard. It is nice to have a place to get advice, share experiences and learn from others.
Candy

cejones4210 · RV-Dreams Family Member

On another note; the tears were not on the roof when we bought it and didn't notice last fall. But could have happened on last trip of the fall as we were close to branches on trees. Not good to have them in all winter and this spring what with all the moisture in Iowa. All we can do is monitor closely for worsening.

Roamin Richards · RV-Dreams Community Member

As previously stated, Eternabond Tape is great for RV roof repair. It is waterproof and will last for extended period of time. I just had my RV roof resealed by a company here in my local area and it is completely protected now. It looked worse than yours before being sealed. Good luck with your repairs and Happy Camping!

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

I will guarantee..........Those wrinkles in the roof membrane are not normal as you're being told by Keystone. That new of a unit, they should be replacing the entire roof. Period...

Judy L · RV-Dreams Family Member

Cindy and Dave, The email address for RVRoof.com is sales@rvroof.com. That's for their original location in Green Cove Springs, FL and I'd talk with them first since they are the originators of the product that they use and therefore have the most experience in repairing RV roofs of any of their locations. We're eventually planning to have them do our roof.

carolinakids · RV-Dreams Family Member

Was just curious on how the roof is going?

cejones4210 · RV-Dreams Family Member

We repaired the tears and they are holding fine. We also did as recommended and cleaned it and applied the conditioner. It has not gotten worse. Numerous Montana owners (on the owners forum) have told us the wrinkles are normal. We are continuing to monitor it. At this time we do not have the money for a new roof, so are doing as recommended by the dealership. The factory was no help at all, either from our personal inquiry or from the dealership.

You have a Keystone, do you notice anything similar on your roof?

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

Something I would do now that you have no support from the brain-dead factory.....
I would make a cut right through the rubber membrane with a sharp utility knife trying to make the cut as straight as possible over the length of the bubbling up membrane(rubber). Then can peel back the rubber slightly to inspect and clean between the roof and rubber. Lay the rubber flat on the rood and over lap material as it wants. Then trim excess material so the two edges butt together and no longer overlap. Use the proper adhesive to glue the membrane back down to the roof properly. Now over the entire length of the cut/repaired seam you then use a strip of Eternabond tape 4"-6" wide. You will now have a properly "Bonded" roof membrane and a "Guaranteed" leak free roof.
Just make sure to do all the proper "Cleaning and Prep"........You'll have no issues.

carolinakids · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes we had wrinkles in it too. Took it back 6 months after buying it and as you they say its normal. Personally I think its not good craftsmanship. Ours isn't quite as bad as yours though. When we hit the lottery we too might afford a new roof.

DebbieM · RV-Dreams Family Member

We had our Montana in to have the roof checked when 6 months old for some minor buckling in one spot. It was still under warrantly. The dealership was very concerned and put in a claim to Keystone to replace entire roof. They took out the skylight over the shower to make sure there was no problem there and no moisture. There was none. The dealership was concerned over some staples in the roof near the edges that were popping up. We have been on the MOC with this problem also. Keystone said to monitor it, but that it was "normal". We also did not agree.

Another 6 months go by and we thought things looked a little worse. We kept a copy of all reports/e-mails/dialogs between us, the previous dealership and Keystone. Keystone stated since things were properly documented, it would be taken care of if there were any problems down the road, even out of warranty. At the second dealership, and this is KEY, they said they have seen this problem and know HOW to word it and what to ask for to get Keystone to approve the repair. They asked Keystone to let them peel back the sides of the roof, remove staples, put in screws, restretch roof and seal. They DID approve that. We have pictures of befores and after that I will keep just in case. So far, everything is fine. We never had any leaks or holes.