I’m raising this concern because we’ve been seeing a disturbing number of RVs coming into the shop with damaged roof membranes which have come loose during travel. I’ve also noticed quite a few posts on Facebook from other owners experiencing the same issue. It seems like the problem stems from the roof glue failing to adhere properly, which causes the TPO roof material to come loose.
What’s happening?
- The issue: The problem is most noticeable at the front cap. While driving, air can get underneath the trailer or fifth wheel’s front cap, causing the roof membrane to balloon up.
- The damage: This can lead to the roof wrinkling, catching air, and eventually tearing wide open! We’ve seen multiple cases of this, and it’s becoming a serious issue.
The fix:
- Adding a second front cap molding: The current solution is to add a second front cap molding and seal it with self-leveling lap sealant (we use Dicor for this).
- Extra measures: We’re also taking additional steps to ensure this issue doesn’t happen again, which I’ll explain in an upcoming video.
What you should do:
- Inspect your roof: If you’re able to, check your roof as soon as possible. Look for any signs of the RV roof membrane coming loose, particularly around the front cap.
- Get professional help: If you can’t inspect it yourself, contact your local dealership or repair shop to have them check it out. Ensure they verify if there’s a second molding in place.
Additional concerns:
- Over-gluing: We’ve noticed some roofs have been over-glued, possibly in an attempt to hold down the roof material better. However, this can cause long-term damage to the OSB sheeting due to the glue not drying completely and remaining sticky for years.
- Under-gluing: Conversely, some roofs might be under-glued, which could be contributing to the problem, especially in high winds.
My final thoughts:
While this is good for business, it’s bad news for RV owners like you. I’m sharing this to protect you from potential issues. Please take my recommendation seriously and check your roof as soon as you can.
Stay tuned for more updates on “In the RV Shop with Dustin” and thank you for following, sharing, and subscribing to our YouTube channel.
More from Dustin
Make sure you check out my website, California RV Specialists, and our YouTube channel for more helpful information, and see our published articles on RVtravel.com and other social media pages.
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Thanks Dustin .
“How to prevent this from happening”…don’t buy junk trailers like Grand Design.
LOL that’s funny. 🙂
On my last RV trip I noticed three instances where the membrane was ballooning on oncoming trailers. Glad my Born Free has a fiberglass roof!
Reading this article makes me glad I have a fiberglass trailer. I don’t need or want slide outs either.
Thank you, Dustin! 🙂 Well, still another manufacturing defect, but, for whatever reason, not rising to the level requiring the manufacturer(s) issuing a recall notice. Well, … this makes me thankful we have a fiberglass roof. 🙂 Thanks again, have a great week, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
I had this exact same problem happen to my travel trailer last year. Had the roof inspected and found out my camper needed a whole new roof. Filed a claim with my insurance and surprisingly, they covered the entire cost. Hopefully, I won’t have to deal with a ballooning roof again, but I will definitely be keeping an eye on it!
Has anyone checked to see if a majority of these ballooning roof membranes were produced in California? CA has so many restrictions on using products like paint and perhaps glues that contain volatile chemicals. I live in WA and have used both water based and chemical based products and found that water based contact cements and some finishes are not as good as the VOC types. That might explain some of the problems especially if there is a learning curve in the application of water-based products.
I know that some RV’s have been made in CA (I had a Fleetwood Flair) but don’t know if any are still being made there. I had no problems with my 2000 model in 12 years of ownership.
How do you know if your roof is ballooning? I cannot see my roof from my truck.