Cracking roof

[Dutchmen]

2015 Rockwood Premier 2514g

[Dutchmen]

This was discovered when I uncovered for the season. Only 2 years old. Pretty disappointed. Forest River said it's covered under warranty. Now I have to bring it to an authorized dealer for a whole new roof replacement. Will ne laid up 6 to 8 weeks

[sgtlm17]

Wow what would even cause that?

[bikendan]

Probably freezing temperatures.

[SidecarFlip]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Probably freezing temperatures.

+10 on that freezing temperatures and moisture under the roof material. Why mine always stays inside in the winter. I keep mine in a heated (60) equipment barn but even an unheated area works because covering an RV will retain moisture under the cover, especially a cheap poly tarp.

If you have to store outside, no cover is better than a cheap tarp (if you use a cheap tarp that is).

[Amartin453]

I have the same problem with my 2016 Rockwood Premier 2516 G. It's called "delamination." Forest River told me I need a new roof as well and to bring it to an authorized FR dealership to have it repaired. I have an appointment June 1st to have it replaced. I'm concerned the camper won't be the same. Not only does the dealer have to replace the roof, but they also have to remove the air-conditioning unit and awning from the old roof and install it on the new roof. What a nightmare!

Please let me know how yours turns out and I'll do the same!

[Amartin453]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Probably freezing temperatures.

I have the same issue and I live in sunny Florida.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by Dutchmen

This was discovered when I uncovered for the season. Only 2 years old. Pretty disappointed. Forest River said it's covered under warranty. Now I have to bring it to an authorized dealer for a whole new roof replacement. Will ne laid up 6 to 8 weeks

Call Fr and tell them you want the factory to do it. It will take them 4 days, either drive it there and wait in a motel or have them pick it up and bring it back, they will do it, I would never have a dealer replace my roof. I drove mine to the factory to have mine replaced. took 4 days....

[Mr Havercamp]

This issue go's back at least 7 years. We met a couple with a new Palomino popup back in 2009. He had his roof replaced at least 3 times under warranty and when the last one cracked out of warranty was left holding the bag. We had a new 2010 Palomino Y4124 at the time and dumped it after a year when we noticed cracks developing at the front curl.

I was told those roofs are all built in one location no matter what FR division they are destined for.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by Mr Havercamp

This issue go's back at least 7 years. We met a couple with a new Palomino popup back in 2009. He had his roof replaced at least 3 times under warranty and when the last one cracked out of warranty was left holding the bag. We had a new 2010 Palomino Y4124 at the time and dumped it after a year when we noticed cracks developing at the front curl.

I was told those roofs are all built in one location no matter what FR division they are destined for.

Your probably correct, but the factory probably have 500 of them waiting to be put on a unit, the dealer has to get it ordered and delv. Since when do you trust a stealer, are you mellowing in your golden years....

[tfmdgm]

What material is this?

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by Witch Doctor

Your probably correct, but the factory probably have 500 of them waiting to be put on a unit, the dealer has to get it ordered and delv. Since when do you trust a stealer, are you mellowing in your golden years....

I have 3 stealers I actually trust LOL.

What good are 500 roofs ready to go if they're destined to crack also? Past history says they stand a good chance of doing so, and it's always at that radius, some worse than others.

The material is a type of Filon.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by Mr Havercamp

I have 3 stealers I actually trust LOL.

What good are 500 roofs ready to go if they're destined to crack also? Past history says they stand a good chance of doing so, and it's always at that radius, some worse than others.

The material is a type of Filon.

True, my point was a faster turn around, Fr will just send one out of there stock , that's like saying why buy a trailer they are going to break

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by Witch Doctor

True, my point was a faster turn around, Fr will just send one out of there stock , that's like saying why buy a trailer they are going to break

Not really......Its saying the replacement roof stands a decent chance of cracking also. That is unless they are now building them different which I highly doubt.

[grumpy0374]

At least FR is fixing your rigs, even after 2 years.
Back in 2013 I found several cracks on our 2012 Lexington. Rig was out of warranty by several months.
FR response was basically "it's out of warranty, not our problem. So sorry."
The cracks were all small when I found em, 6-8 inches in length. Fixwd em by drilling a small hole at the end of each crack to stop them from lengthening.
Then smeared some Dicor into each crack, and then put a piece of Eternabond over the crack.
That was 4 years ago, and thankfully the repairs have held up. No leaks and cracks didn't grow.
Grumpy

[Amartin453]

That sucks! Glad to hear there were no leaks and the cracks did not grow larger.

[MoonStomper]

What Grumpy said: drill ends of cracks and fill with Dicor ( or Geocel Proflex RV, I've even had good luck using epoxy), then Eternabond over that after it cures.

Will probably have entire roof covered in Eternabond before I'm done with my fourteen year old Roo! Stays dry though.

[grumpy0374]

Originally Posted by Amartin453

I have the same problem with my 2016 Rockwood Premier 2516 G. It's called "delamination." Forest River told me I need a new roof as well and to bring it to an authorized FR dealership to have it repaired. I have an appointment June 1st to have it replaced. I'm concerned the camper won't be the same. Not only does the dealer have to replace the roof, but they also have to remove the air-conditioning unit and awning from the old roof and install it on the new roof. What a nightmare!

Please let me know how yours turns out and I'll do the same!Attachment 136575Attachment 136576

At least their going to replace it. And, if all they have to remove is the ac and awning, it shouldn't be a problem.
If they had decided to replace the roof on our Lexi, or any other motorhome/trailer, they would have to remove the ac, awning, 2 powered vents, antenna, vent pipes, seperate the roof from the sides and front and rear caps. Don't think I would ever trust them, even the factory, to do a good job on that much removal of parts and repair.
If our Lexi ever gets to the point where the roof needs to be replaced, I believe I would go to/trust one of the aftermarket roof coating companies. May be more expensive, but most of them have great reputations, and guarantee their work for upwards of 10 years.
Grumpy

[SidecarFlip]

Why not re-roof it with a single sheet of 16 or 18 gauge aluminum and be done with it?... if out of warranty...

[jimmoore13]

Well, this was an ugly eye-opener!
Our roof is not failing yet, and silly me, I thought it was aluminum. We added a thicker mattress, and I often have to sit on the edge of the roof to compress the mattress and blankets enough to close the camper for travel.

I learned a lot from this thread, and I plan to keep a close eye on my roof. I'm not sure what to do about closing it without sitting on the roof.

Someone mentioned a cover contributing to problems. We have no garage, so I've been using an "Elements" brand RV cover. It seems to be breathable fabric. Here in CO, the sun is brutal, so keeping the camper (and tires) covered is essential. The Elements cover has at least 4 shrouded ventilation ports at the roof line. Any thoughts on whether this is a net positive or negative for long-term durability?