Sealing roof with eternabond

[woodsrider40]

I have a 17 grey wolf toy hauler also got the lifetime warranty. I was planning to seal the front, rear and sides with eternabond but don't know if it will void the warranty. Anyone did this? I just want to make sure it's water tight. I use self leveling for vents and ski light which would be easier to remove if they need replacement.

[SeaDog]

You should check with the company that issued you the lifetime warranty for the correct answer to your question. Making it water tight is good.

[woodsrider40]

I was going to call the dealer where I bought it from but we know how they are. It probably be best to call forever warranty and asked. I sure hope not that way I can sleep better.

Thanks

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by woodsrider40

I have a 17 grey wolf toy hauler also got the lifetime warranty. I was planning to seal the front, rear and sides with eternabond but don't know if it will void the warranty. Anyone did this? I just want to make sure it's water tight. I use self leveling for vents and ski light which would be easier to remove if they need replacement.

Check the FINE PRINT of your lifetime warranty. It MAY insist the roof gets inspected by an authorized dealer annually or something. If you don’t follow the fine print of everything and every appliance you THINK you’re covered for, you’d be out of luck. Remember……these warranty companies are experts at NOT HAVING TO PAY OUT.

Just sayin’

[Iwritecode]

The Eternabond may last longer than your warranty.

[woodsrider40]

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

The Eternabond may last longer than your warranty.

LOL I'm sure it will. I will say this, I marked the lug nuts with color paint on the edges where socket meets just to see if they even inspec it when I had it in for annual inspection come to find out they didn't because the paint still there. Makes me wonder if they even look at the roof because I have found cracks but I fixed them.

[rsdata]

cash in that life time warrantee

what does it protect anyway?

[ard58]

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

The Eternabond may last longer than your warranty.

Aint that the truth!

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

The Eternabond may last longer than your warranty.

Maybe. Our 2008 Cherokee 38P uses Eternabond in the original construction. t has been outdoors in the weather with slideouts open since it was new. Most of the Eternabond has held up well. The exception is at the top of the slideouts, where an aluminum sheet metal angle joins the roof top to the flange that would fit flush with the trailer side if the slide were closed. This angle also clamps down the EPDM membrane roof of the slideout.

The flange is fastened down with a series of the ubiquitous round-head Robertson screws. Over time and heat, the gray adhesive-seal part of the Eternabond tape flows around the screw heads and they are right up against the white vinyl top layer. And then they poke through and rust.

I just scrubbed the tape with mineral spirits and placed a new layer of Eternabond over the old one, as recommended on the Eternabond website. I should have done it last year.

I judge the outdoor life of Eternabond to be about ten years. Probably a little shorter than a lifetime warranty.

Unless, of course, it's a Magellan GPS Lifetime Map warranty.

[woodsrider40]

We'll I'm not getting any clear answer if it will or will not void the warranty. I did look at the sealant on the gutter edge which it looks ok but I like to refresh it. It feels like silicone, I don't know. Anyone know what sealant is on there and what to use ? Thanks

[woodsrider40]

Originally Posted by rsdata

cash in that life time warrantee

what does it protect anyway?

It's supposed to cover refrigerator, plumbing, water heater, air conditioning, microwave, gas lines, wheel bearings, brakes, axle and electrical box. If and of those goes out it's supposed to be covered. Parts and labor. Not really sure if it does. We got it with camper so it didn't cost us anything as we did look to to see if they charged us.

[Scrapper]

It will have no effect on your warranty if you apply the Eternabond tape following the manufacturers directions.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by woodsrider40

We'll I'm not getting any clear answer if it will or will not void the warranty. I did look at the sealant on the gutter edge which it looks ok but I like to refresh it. It feels like silicone, I don't know. Anyone know what sealant is on there and what to use ? Thanks

It is most likely NOT silicone. Silicone doesn't adhere very well, and if you ever have to patch it, NOTHING (not even more silicone) sticks to it.

I'm not really sure what you mean by gutter edge. (Have you posted a picture?) Usually the gutter is held on by a series of wood screws spaced every few inches. The screws are covered by a vinyl insert. Behind the gutter is a strip of butyl caulk, about 1" wide and 1/8" thick. It stays sticky and gummy forever and nothing gets through it.

The thing about butyl caulk is that it "weeps" or "bleeds" a bit. It would come out just a bit beyond the gutter and capture dirt and dust. No problem there but it's unattractive, so good practice is to run a tiny strip of non-sticky caulk along the edge.

Is that what you are talking about? It's more esthetic than functional. Nearly anything would serve except silicone. Maybe a good RV caulk that is NOT described as self-leveling.

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by woodsrider40

We'll I'm not getting any clear answer if it will or will not void the warranty. I did look at the sealant on the gutter edge which it looks ok but I like to refresh it. It feels like silicone, I don't know. Anyone know what sealant is on there and what to use ? Thanks

I gave you a clear answer in post #12. When you apply the Eternabond tape to the roof side seams let the Eternabond cover the vinyl insert covering your gutter screws.

[Larry-NC]

The same construction is used on DW's 2002 Nash. I have removed the vinyl insert, the screws, the gutters, the roof membrane, and the roof decking and some truss work.

I can tell you for a fact that the only screws that had rust on them are where the awning mounts let water intrude into the truss ribbon (a 1x2) and wick down to the screws. In other words, the screws have not rusted in 19 years with no sealing around the gutter EXCEPT at the awning mounts.

I have posted several times about this. I took the awning off the 2008 Cherokee because the same thing has happened. Soft spots in the roof decking and ribbon ONLY AT THE AWNING MOUNTS.

Seems to me that the OP wants to fix something that's not broke. By the way, if someone has a proposal to seal the awning mount so it doesn't permit water intrusion, I'm all ears. This is the bracket that mounts with a 1/4" lag bolt right through the vinyl insert, tearing the insert and crushing the grooves that accept the insert. I can't think of a sloppier, sleazier, lazier way to do this.

[woodsrider40]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

I gave you a clear answer in post #12. When you apply the Eternabond tape to the roof side seams let the Eternabond cover the vinyl insert covering your gutter screws.

Mine doesn't have the vinyl insert which it came this way new. It's open I can see all the screws. I probably have to put it on the top edge of the gutter or should I cover the screws or get strips of vinyl inserts to install. Thanks for the picture I will most likely do the eternabond to be water tight.

[jeff64]

Originally Posted by woodsrider40

Mine doesn't have the vinyl insert which it came this way new. It's open I can see all the screws. I probably have to put it on the top edge of the gutter or should I cover the screws or get strips of vinyl inserts to install. Thanks for the picture I will most likely do the eternabond to be water tight.

Thanks for the picture!

[JumpinJack]

Originally Posted by woodsrider40

I have a 17 grey wolf toy hauler also got the lifetime warranty. I was planning to seal the front, rear and sides with eternabond but don't know if it will void the warranty. Anyone did this? I just want to make sure it's water tight. I use self leveling for vents and ski light which would be easier to remove if they need replacement.

When I purchased my 26 RR Toy hauler the dealer ran a strip across the front seam as a preventative measure