Be warned, Don't use your ladder to roof.

[buzzliteyear]

Warning, warning, if you can use another ladder other than the one attached to your van then do it. Our 2013 Windjammer developed two large bubbles (loaf of bread sizes) on the side rear panels. The insurance assessor with his moisture meter tracked the access point back to the outside ladder mounting bracket on the roof. After watching the very portly gentleman climb the ladder and all of the brackets straining under his weight I'm not surprised that a stress crack has developed. 2 quotes later $6,500 and $8,000 and the insurance company declining our claim because it was not the result of an accident. We're on our own.
By the way, while I was up on the roof recaulking the offending bracket, I noticed that the original caulking, now 5 years old, needs some TLC, has anyone just reapplied new caulking over old (cleaned) caulking. I'm trying to save a few days work removing the old stuff. Call me lazy, but lifes to short.
Cheers
Brett from down under (not Australia)

[mwdilday]

I have researched and found that you don't remove the old caulking. In fact if you don't have gobs of caulking after a few years you are probably not maintaining your roof well enough. Personally I wipe the caulk down with mineral spirits and apply the new caulk over the old. I expect after many years if it gets too thick I will trim it down with a razor scraper blade. Careful if you trim it not to nick your roof.

[cavie]

Anytime I recaulk anything the old comes off and the new goes down. Roof, sides, anywhere.

[Beachbourbon]

I always considered the ladder an “emergency use on the road” item. Surely people know to use a regular ladder at home while doing maintenance?

[Herk7769]

200ish and use the OEM ladder for roof maintenance. Retired camper after 10 years and never had an issue. We DID Eternabond the ladder (and all other roof penetrations) when new. I also replaced the screws with stainless ones as needed (rust).

[emoney]

Moral of the story; check your roof at least once a year. There’s an old saying in the boating world; a boat never breaks down at the lake, it broke down in the driveway but the owner just didn’t know it. As to caulk I always remove the old and replace with the proper stuff.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by cavie

Anytime I recaulk anything the old comes off and the new goes down. Roof, sides, anywhere.

This. ^^^^^^^^

New caulk over old caulk is never good. It might make it look nicer for a little while and stop a leak for a little while, but, for the most part, new caulk doesn’t bond to old caulk very well — especially silicone.

Bruce

[dcheatwood]

That's why manuals always say to check calling, seals, sealants, etc annually.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by buzzliteyear

Warning, warning, if you can use another ladder other than the one attached to your van then do it. Our 2013 Windjammer developed two large bubbles (loaf of bread sizes) on the side rear panels. The insurance assessor with his moisture meter tracked the access point back to the outside ladder mounting bracket on the roof. After watching the very portly gentleman climb the ladder and all of the brackets straining under his weight I'm not surprised that a stress crack has developed. 2 quotes later $6,500 and $8,000 and the insurance company declining our claim because it was not the result of an accident. We're on our own.
By the way, while I was up on the roof recaulking the offending bracket, I noticed that the original caulking, now 5 years old, needs some TLC, has anyone just reapplied new caulking over old (cleaned) caulking. I'm trying to save a few days work removing the old stuff. Call me lazy, but lifes to short.
Cheers
Brett from down under (not Australia)

Checking the roof yearly and doing proper maintenance prevents such issues. Also be aware that latters do have a weight limit of 300# Later RJD

[Cabinfever97]

Our TT is only 5 months old and I noticed the dicor around the ladder mounts need attention. I say check the roof a couple few times every year.

[mule]

Originally Posted by buzzliteyear

Warning, warning, if you can use another ladder other than the one attached to your van then do it. Our 2013 Windjammer developed two large bubbles (loaf of bread sizes) on the side rear panels. The insurance assessor with his moisture meter tracked the access point back to the outside ladder mounting bracket on the roof. After watching the very portly gentleman climb the ladder and all of the brackets straining under his weight I'm not surprised that a stress crack has developed. 2 quotes later $6,500 and $8,000 and the insurance company declining our claim because it was not the result of an accident. We're on our own.
By the way, while I was up on the roof recaulking the offending bracket, I noticed that the original caulking, now 5 years old, needs some TLC, has anyone just reapplied new caulking over old (cleaned) caulking. I'm trying to save a few days work removing the old stuff. Call me lazy, but lifes to short.
Cheers
Brett from down under (not Australia)

A moisture meter! C’mon man!!! I’ve heard it all now!

[tlspencer]

Originally Posted by mule

A moisture meter! C’mon man!!! I’ve heard it all now!

https://www.grainger.com/content/qt-...ure-meters-346

[Big Bill]

And don’t hang anything heavy on ladders either

[kayo]

Forget chalking! From past experience with a Class A, I used Earthabond (sp) tape on all the caulked locations on the roof and forgot about them. Did not want to screw around with cleaning and recaulking. (Sorry for the spelling error)

[robbiels7]

Originally Posted by kayo

Forget chalking! From past experience with a Class A, I used Earthabond (sp) tape on all the caulked locations on the roof and forgot about them. Did not want to screw around with cleaning and recaulking. (Sorry for the spelling error)

Do you lay it down over or remove?

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by robbiels7

Do you lay it down over or remove?

After cleaning the area to lay the Eternabond with mineral spirits on a rag, followed by denatured alcohol on a rag you apply the eternabond right on top of the caulking. Lay the Eternabond and roll it down with a seam roller. Once the Eternabond touches the roof or caulking it is difficult to remove, once you roll it down with pressure it's almost impossible to remove. Follow the directions that come with the Eternabond and it is good for 10 years.
You can read all about the application on Eternabonds web site. http://www.eternabond.com

[robbiels7]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

After cleaning the area to lay the Eternabond with mineral spirits on a rag, followed by denatured alcohol on a rag you apply the eternabond right on top of the caulking. Lay the Eternabond and roll it down with a seam roller. Once the Eternabond touches the roof or caulking it is difficult to remove, once you roll it down with pressure it's almost impossible to remove. Follow the directions that come with the Eternabond and it is good for 10 years.
You can read all about the application on Eternabonds web site. http://www.eternabond.com

Thank you I think I will be making this a winter project.

[tosh99]

I have no one else to blame but me if my ladder causes a problem because I installed it. Five years so far with no issues.


I've replaced bad sections of caulking on the roof. Well, they really weren't that bad but why take a chance? Just removed or cleaned out the questionable section and lay some self leveling caulk over it. Again, 5 years of being outside in the weather with no leaks. You just have to be vigilant about these things.


I see other RVs in the storage yard that are literally falling apart. I guess their owners just don't care.

[Kayak]

Might be smart to check after any major trip because flexing can cause cracks in Dicor over seams where water will infiltrate.

[snoopy1]

REALLY your Ins Co refused to pay as it wasn't from impact damage. I have Progressive & they gave me the same excuse for my roof damage! Time to get another Ins Co, one that actually will pay up!
Dave