Newbie question about rubber roofing

[kicker0927]

Okay, so I feel kind of stupid asking this, but how do you know if you have a rubber roof? Is the entire roof coated in rubber or just the seals? Is the rubber roof just considered the caulking around the seams of the camper roof? I was told not to use the Camco RV Wash on a rubber roof and I plan to wash the roof tomorrow. So I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to hurt anything by using the wash. Thanks!

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by kicker0927

Okay, so I feel kind of stupid asking this, but how do you know if you have a rubber roof? Is the entire roof coated in rubber or just the seals? Is the rubber roof just considered the caulking around the seams of the camper roof? I was told not to use the Camco RV Wash on a rubber roof and I plan to wash the roof tomorrow. So I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to hurt anything by using the wash. Thanks!

Look in the files section upper left hand of web page I put a right up in there for care of your rubber roof.

[kicker0927]

Thanks, but I don't even know if I have a rubber roof!

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by kicker0927

Thanks, but I don't even know if I have a rubber roof!

The rubber roof is actually a rubber membrane that covers the entire top of the camper. There are also fiberglass roofs, but I think those are mostly used on motorhomes.

What type of camper do you have ??

[crasher]

Depending on what you have it's either rubber or pvc. If you don't know for sure, then only wash it with a mild detergent - i.e. dish soap.

Some specialized products for rubber can damage pvc and vice-versa.

[LadyWindrider]

What trailer do you have? Might try to look here: Forest River : RV, Cargo Trailers, Boats, Commercial, Housing
and look up the specs on your camper. Maybe the answer is in there.

[xf021209]

You can easily tell. The rubber is just that, rubbery. Press on it and see if it gives. Most of the time the contact glue used is pretty thin and doesn't hold well, so the rubber will stretch a little. Fiberglass won't budge. Also, if the roof is chalk like, leaving a lot of chalk on your hand after rubbing your hand over the roof, it's most likely rubber. I've been doing a lot of research because my FR/TT has a rubber roof. I'm about to re-coat it with liquid EPDM (liquid rubber). From everything I've read about rubber roofs should not be cleaned. Original rubber roofs naturally chalk, pretty much being self cleaning. Cleaning them just removes more of the chalk, making the need to either replace the entire roof with new rubber or re-coat with liquid rubber take place that much sooner. If you're still unsure, you can remove one of the small vents on the roof. You'll see the roof material cut for the vent. The pieces there will obviously be rubber or fiberglass. Or, the best suggestion yet, see if you can find the specs for your trailer online.