Thermofoil Roof

[KeithS]

Edited to change: apparently the roof materiel is called "TPO Roof Membrane".

We were looking at a new 318RST Friday. I climbed up the ladder to look at the top and noticed that the roof material had a lot of "elongated bubbles", maybe 3/16" high. They could be pushed down with a finger. There happened to be a GD rep there that day and I mentioned it to him. He said that it may be from normal expansion of the membrane and he would take a look. I don't believe he did as he was gone about an hour later.

Has anyone noticed this condition on their roof?

 

[Clsfly]

I'd say it was a problem that may only get worse. During the factory tour they said if there was a problem with the EDPM roof membrane they would not patch it but remove it completely and replace it (factory PDI). Now that a dealer has it I don't know what they will do. The EPDM roofing membrane is glued directly to the marine grade OSB sheeting with no seams. My 303 is smooth no bubbles.

Chuck

 

[minnow101]

That's because the roofing material wasn't completely glued down.

 

[TucsonJim]

I've never owned an RV (four of them) where a few bubbles didn't happen over time. Unless they are very large, they normally won't cause any problems at all. My gauge for action is a dollar bill. If it gets bigger than that, it will likely need repair. If not, just leave them alone and the roof will likely last it's normal life span.

 

[minnow101]

The OP stated that this was a new GD unit. No way would I buy a new RV with a bubbled roof, no matter how small the bubbles. It's only going to ge worse over time.

 

[Clsfly]

X2 me neither

 

[KeithS]

I called the Grand Design service support number this morning and was told that what I described was gassing of the adhesive used to fasten the membrane to the roof. It usually lays down flat within 6 months. Large bubbles would be a concern. Many smaller ones, not so much.

 

[minnow101]

That could be but I still woudn't buy one if I saw bubbles in the roofing material. I'd look for an identical model that didn't have the bubbles.