Eternabond width question

[tonyz1]

I have a 2018 Flagstaff 29KSWS and want to eternabond the front and back roof seams. Camper is currently covered and probably won't be able to uncover till end of the month and want to cover those seams as soon as I uncover. So wondering from you that have done this, what is the best width of eternabond to order to cover these seams properly? Appreciate any incite I can get.

[Witch Doctor]

6 " is all I would do my ends with

[kenandterry]

Not sure what the price difference is between 4” and 6” Eternabond but if you’re going to do this......more is better so hopefully you only have to do it once.

[5picker]

Either 4" or 6".
Preferably 6".

6" is a little harder to work with but worth it IMHO.

[tonyz1]

Thanks for the replies all so far. I was thinking 6" but have watched several videos of others using 6 or 8". I figured the 8" would be way too hard to work with and seems those that used 4" had to overlap 2 layers of it so I kind of already put the 4" as last choice. But looking to you experienced folks to save myself some grief if I order the wrong width beforehand. Thanks again- really like this forum.

[rsdata]

just to satisfy my curiosity I just went and took photos of my nearly 3 year old e-bond install of my front seam. I used 3 inch, but only covered about an inch of the factory installed lap sealant and not the entire lap sealant as shown on the left front side of the first pic. My trailer will be 5 years old in September and that front seal is still solid at the lap sealant.

The sealant is still tightly stuck to the fiberglass front as is the e-bond. At some point, when I detect some loosening of the sealant, I will probably put a 2 inch wide strip to cover the exposed sealant, but only after shaving the lumps off with a razor blade.

pictures below
front seam right to left, gutter seam left, gutter seam detail

[tonyz1]

rsdata, that looks like it is holding up great! Very encouraging to me to see your results. I hope on keeping my camper for quite awhile, so wanting not to have to worry about those seems for several years. Thanks for sharing the pics.

[Herk7769]

I use Two 6 inch wide x 10 foot rolls and keep the excess for emergence roof repair patches.

[007matman]

Ok.. so as a result of this thread I finally decided to join the Eternabond cult.

Do I need to remove the old self-leveling Dicor at the top seam where the front meets the roof or is ok to just cover it with the 6"wide stuff?

I already bought (but have not installed yet) corner seal tape. I was thinking of doing both the top seam and the corners this weekend. Thoughts?

I have a fiberglass Rockwood. Roof is in overall good shape and was replaced 3-4 years ago.

[rsdata]

I have read threads where some have taken a hair dryer and a plastic putty knife and scraped old caulk off... I would do this if the sealant was failing.

I did my roof at two years, well before any sealant had come loose.

I merely cleaned the caulk, razor bladed off the high spots, then applied over the old sealant.

My full story here

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...nce-90060.html

[007matman]

Mine is still in pretty good condition save one spot so maybe I'll work on removing that spot and tape over the rest.

Thanks.

[MillMitch]

Good thread, I'm about 6 weeks behind you though before I will do mine (we still have 2' of snow on the ground). Main difference is that I noticed holes in the dicor while on the roof last summer which I sealed, but I saw stains in the dicor at several screw points. I'm going to pull the screws and replace with aluminum or coated before putting the ebond down.

[tonyz1]

Thanks for all your suggestions and incite. I'll probably go with the 6" for front and back roof seams and 4" for everything else. Now just to get the weather to cooperate on the right days!

[Mch5jdm]

Anyone ever use the Beech Lane version of the Eternabond tape? I have their version of the Anderson levelers and they work great. I wonder if Beech Lane is trying to bring same quality at lower price points for common products.
Beech Lane RV White Roof Sealant Tape 4" x 30', Permanently Stops Camper Roof Leaks, Installation, UV and Weatherproof Sealant, Self Priming Tape Creates an Instant Seal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FPVCW7R..._zBnJCbFR8QAFG

[rsdata]

I wonder if Beech Lane is trying to bring same quality at lower price points for common products.

WOW!

$21.99/roll?

[Herk7769]

Don't forget one of these in your cart.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9AL149...a-832727955b09

[tonyz1]

Originally Posted by Mch5jdm

Anyone ever use the Beech Lane version of the Eternabond tape? I have their version of the Anderson levelers and they work great. I wonder if Beech Lane is trying to bring same quality at lower price points for common products.
Beech Lane RV White Roof Sealant Tape 4" x 30', Permanently Stops Camper Roof Leaks, Installation, UV and Weatherproof Sealant, Self Priming Tape Creates an Instant Seal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FPVCW7R..._zBnJCbFR8QAFG

I was wondering about the Beech Lane brand tape also. Not sure it has been around long enough to be compared to eternabond or not.

[Teetime]

This thread has caught my attention but I have a few questions if someone would offer advice.

First let me say that I've only had one roof leak in four campers, but just cleaned and re-caulked. I've never used e-bond. We bought this new camper last year which perfectly fits our travel and life style, and plan to keep it for many years.

I get the impression that for some, it is standard procedure to e-bond the seams after a few years whether needed or not. Is this because you just can't trust factory sealant or because of the environment (heat/UV) wearing the sealant out ?

Perhaps it is just preventative maintenance?

Do you e-bond around all roof seals such as the vents and air conditioners? It seems if you are going to do it you might as well do it all.

If the factory roof sealant can't be trusted for long term, why do they not e-bond everything to begin with if it adds value? (cost I guess)

What is the life expectancy of the e-bond if it is correctly installed?

Thank you

[rsdata]

I am not an expert, but I believe in E-bond tape... here are my answers.

Is this because you just can't trust factory sealant or because of the environment (heat/UV) wearing the sealant out ?

Lap sealant is NOT good forever... constant checking on it on the roof, with so much to check, even a tiny bit loose from the surface on a seam can create a big headache inside.

Perhaps it is just preventative maintenance?

certainly for me it was PM... I now check my roof once a year from a ladder.

Do you e-bond around all roof seals such as the vents and air conditioners? It seems if you are going to do it you might as well do it all.

I did that... although I was worried about front/back and side seams mostly... I did vents, but not AC (YET!)

If the factory roof sealant can't be trusted for long term, why do they not e-bond everything to begin with if it adds value? (cost I guess)

I believe the membrane mfg and the sealant guys work together and produce compatible products... caulk/sealant has been around forever.

Much easier and faster to apply a ton of caulk up there... E-bond is a bear to get off if you goof up the install. Once it is down, even slightly, it is stuck there for good. the adhesive is blocked from UV by the plastic backing on the tape. I have seen no deterioration in nearly 3 years of the tape surface and the underlying adhesive.

What is the life expectancy of the e-bond if it is correctly installed?

10 years according to website, probably longer... clean, dry, alcohol wiped surface to remove contaminants...

[Scrapper]

You don't need to wait a few years to apply Eternabond. I did mine after hearing about E-bond during the first winter, so the following spring the E-bond was my first project.
Many other members of this forum have applied E-bond as soon as possible after the RV was purchased.