Roof Integrity

[another Todd]

I took delivery of a 2016 27RL last week. The undamaged one I originally purchased (down payment) sustained roof damage in transit from one of the dealers lot to the pick up lot. They substituted an identical trailer but I made them note on the paperwork the roof material was loose (had some bubbles) for the most part where it wraps over the side on the left side. They insisted it was completely normal as it was hot that day and the roof expands and contracts, I now have my doubts. The other thing that concerns me is that when walking on the roof, it is apparent that not all roof decking terminates over the trusses and you can see the sheet edges separate and dip down and stretch the rubber membrane as you step. Has anyone else noticed that?

 

[minnow101]

On our 27RL, there are spots that are softer than others when walking on the roof. However the EPDM material on ours lays perfectly flat and there are no bubbles. I would keep track of those bubble and take good pictures of it now. If the bubbles don't get any bigger over the next few months you're probably OK. If those bubbles are near the front cap, then you might have an issue going forward as rushing air from travelling down the road can get underneath the EPDM and lift the material off the underlayment. Any sign of either would necessitate a quick call to GD.

 

[another Todd]

Copy that. I didn't think to take pictures, good idea. Thank you.

 

[jdmuth]

Like minnow101 said, check the front cap area good.

A few months ago I saw a 5th wheel on the freeway where the EDPM must have separated and air got underneath it. It was bellowed up a good 18" or more as he was driving down the freeway at 55-65MPH...... Yikes....
He was traveling in the opposite direction, so I couldn't tell him if he didn't already know.

 

[Scott and Jan]

I saw one doing that on Monday. Almost all the way across the front, and about 2 feet back, and puffed up about 18". It was traveling the opposite direction too, so couldn't tell them either.

 

[another Todd]

The roof looks good and appears to be sealed well. Just some bubbling of the rubber that you can see from the ground where it wraps around the left side of the roof. Honestly I am more concerned about the edges of the roofing plywood not terminating over a framing member and those edges "bending" as you walk on it similar to walking on a diving board.

 

[minnow101]

Luckily GD owners have a 3 years structural warranty so if that plywood does pop up, GD should fix it.