First the Skylight, now my roof blew off! 2 year old Solitude!

**JTWILCOX** · 06-12-2020, 10:08 PM

Well, just finished replacing my Skylight, fantastic job if I do say so.

Got to enjoy that satisfaction at least, for 4 days.

Just arrived at my next camp site, to find the entire from section of roof, back to the first AC unit has been blown off and peel back. And I do mean, the entire roof, edge to edge. I blow off my slides before I lease each trip, so I know the roof was good when I left that morning. Happened while driving. Even more odd, the front strip at the cap is still in place, and secure, so somehow, air was getting under lifted from the OSB, but not from that front seam it appears.

it appears the roof is just contact cemented of some kind, and the adhesion failed. How common is this??

Now I need to figure out replacing, just spoke to my neighbor in camp who just happened to have just finished replacing his with a new EPDM roof system. Sounds like a good 3 to 4 day job to tackle my self, if I go that route. I need to figure out if the EPDM adhesive can be applied over the cement GD used ( rather not replace the OSB boards, as they are still good.)

Does any one have experience with RV Armor ? Right now, just finding some place ( I'm at Badlands NP in SD ) that could get me in and do it timely is my bigger concern than cost, and ay lead me to doing myself.

**TheLexx** · 06-12-2020, 10:50 PM

Shouldn't you contact Grand Design first to see if they can do anything for you?

**geotex1** · 06-13-2020, 05:03 AM

I agree, start with GD and then Alpha Systems. Such should not happen but it sometimes does. The way the TPO membrane is installed, if it was the wrong duration between application of adhesive and then laying the membrane down you can end up with poor bonding.

**FT4NOW** · 06-13-2020, 07:12 AM

I'm not sure you want to go with a EPDM roof. Newer RVs are TPO because they are maintenance free, EPDM roofs require maintenance.

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**WhittleBurner** · 06-13-2020, 07:16 AM

Waste no time contacting GD, a 2yr old trailer should still have the roof warranty. They will pay a mobile repair for the repair (you pay the service call fee) even if it is temporary to get you to where it can be repaired the right way. Out of curiosity which Solitude model do you have?

**JTWILCOX** · 06-15-2020, 07:39 AM

No help from Grand Design, other than a " sorry to hear about the "issue" with your roof. ... We suggest you get the roof taken care of. "

I'm the 2nd owner, so even though its only 2 years old, they don't honor the 3 year warranty, as they published. This is not a comment on if they are not following their published warranty statement, but the product build quality.

2 years old, Skylight had to be replaced from UV damage and the TPO roof delaminated from the wood.

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JW

**TheLexx** · 06-15-2020, 12:34 PM

Wow, that's disappointing but not surprising.

What are the little back spots on the membrane? Is it mold? If so this could have been a longstanding issue.

Originally Posted by JTWILCOX

No help from Grand Design, other than a " sorry to hear about the "issue" with your roof. ... We suggest you get the roof taken care of. "

I'm the 2nd owner, so even though its only 2 years old, they don't honor the 3 year warranty, as they published. This is not a comment on if they are not following their published warranty statement, but the product build quality.

2 years old, Skylight had to be replaced from UV damage and the TPO roof delaminated from the wood.

JW

**JTWILCOX** · 06-15-2020, 04:04 PM

Not Mold, tree droppings, Cotonwoods were in full shed mode at the Badlands.

**KirbyRVA** · 06-15-2020, 05:07 PM

I'd contact my insurance provider ASAP and send them pics. Suspect insurance will cover it. From what I have read, the lifetime warranty RV Armor roof can be done for less than replacing the TPO. If so, I would consider that.

In the meantime, use some Eternabond tape or similar roof repair tape to hold the torn TPO so you don't get water damage.

**geotex1** · 06-15-2020, 08:29 PM

Geez, not even an offer to provide material... Agree that your insurance should cover it. You can always save the deductible doing it yourself. It's not hard to do a roof membrane. It's just a lot of labor removing the air conditioners, skylights, vents, etc. I personally would not go with an RV Armor. That product relies on a more intact base to start from, and your membrane is torn up under the air conditioner too.

Good luck with it. Really throws water on the campfire, I know.