Micro Lite Roof -- Seems like loose fabric, is that right?

67L48 · 11-20-2017, 08:40 PM

I've never really gotten up on a roof before today. Brand new 2018 Micro Lite 2504S. Got up on the roof and the top seemed like it was some sort of plastic-ish, fabric-ish material laid down on the roof. This had some air pockets in locations and could be sort of pressed down and moved a bit. There with an extremely thick, but gooey and pliable putty-ish paste/tape on all edges and seams. On the roof line, it was pretty well defined in a sort of tape form. Really thick, but uniform. Gooey and pliable. Around the vents and other roof structures, the goo was just massively applied and piled around.

It seemed really odd to me. Particularly, the wavy nature of the fabric on the roof just seemed wrong. I snapped a picture shown below:

I'm guessing that this is normal and that it will settle and harden over time ... or something? Is all of this normal?

Thanks.

SeaDog · 11-21-2017, 09:27 AM

I think on a new rig I would have the dealer take a look and confirm at least that way you have it documented should a problem arise.

RACarvalho · 11-21-2017, 10:10 AM

I would say that if it's not leaking or have the possibility of leaking, this is "normal".
My previous trailer was built in January and the roof had small bubles when new that when it got to hot summer sun, became big bubbles.... But nothing leaked.
It is really not an ideal situation but the way those things are built, there is really no way they can avoid that.
The thing is to keep an eye on the sealant and make sure the sealant is still attached to the rubber in the roof.
Particular attention to the sealant covering over the metal stuff.

67L48 · 11-22-2017, 01:36 PM

Sorry to be unclear. This is not my trailer. This is a brand new Mini Lite 2504S on a dealer lot. Just arrived, so is about as new as possible ... minus the freight time. It's at The Great Outdoors RV in Evans/Greeley, CO. I won't be buying it, though, because they were $3,200 more than Wana in Indiana (same trailer). Costs about $600 for a round trip to Indiana + my time. Road trip....

I had just gone up to look at the trailer. I've never been on top of a trailer before and just climbed up on a lark. I was surprised by the loose fit of whatever the final layer is on the roof. The sealant wasn't a huge surprise, though a bit more soft and pliable than I would have expected. There was tons of that sealant goo around every seam and seal I could see, so I doubt there would be any leaks.

It was mainly the roof material that seemed off to me, but, again, I'm not familiar with roof construction and maybe this is normal?

Thanks again.

rcguy · 11-23-2017, 09:56 AM

I would walk away from that one. Mine has no bubbles. Crappy job putting the roof on. The dicor gobs are normal but not the wrinkles in the rubber roof.

HangDiver · 11-23-2017, 10:47 AM

X2^^^^ My Micro-Lite does NOT have any wrinkles on the roofing material. That doesn't look right.

Rich J.

Yeti · 11-23-2017, 10:58 AM

The factory is knowingly using a solvent based caulk/sealant that is not compatible with the roofing membrane, or the water based glue used to glue down the roofing membrane. That is what is causing the roof to come unglued any place they use the solvent based caulk.

Jonol · 11-23-2017, 04:50 PM

I would walk away from that one to!
I did fix my self, my 2000, 23 feet Palomino roof 3 years ago and I do not have one bubbles like that now.
What hapen is that the bubble will not leak but the wood under will root after a few years or so.
Hot and Cold create condensation inside the air bubbles.

n0ms · 11-24-2017, 12:34 AM

I did a road trip to Iowa and saved lots. There is an Rv repair shop In Loveland Colo that has handled my warranty work.

epmiller · 02-05-2018, 02:10 PM

The wrinkles in the picture is mild compared to my 2018 2104. I have the bubble all the way across the back of the camper and about 8in in. The factory rep told the dealer it's normal but it can't be. They don't want to deal with this because it's so widespread. If you look at units on dealers lots you'll see most have this to some degree. I've only seen it on 2018 models. I don't know if it affects other years. We bought ours after they shut down during the summer. They might have changed something during that time frame.

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