Eternabond on a new campers roof???

[JavaCheeks]

*** I know there has been a lot of discussion about Eternabond, but I did my best to see if my question had already been asked or discussed.

Back in August we bought a new camper, 2025 Keystone Coleman 17B. I'm trying to decide whether or not I should just use Eternabond over all my roof seals while they are new, rather then waiting till all the seams are weathered and need resealed again anyways or worse, actually have an issue.. I've seen great videos from "RV Tips and Travels" and "Why Wait" about doing this before actually having an issue. I would love to get other seasoned RVers/Campers input on this.

Thanks!

 

[Rene T]

Welcome to the forum.
They say Eternabond tape will last 25 years. I think I would wait maybe 5 years then when the factory installed caulk starts to break down, apply the tape.

 

[TheBar]

Why take the chance of the factory caulking job leaking? Do it now and forget about it.

 

[JavaCheeks]

I would still be frequently inspecting the roof but it would definitely be added peace of mind. plus I figure the best caulking job would be what they did at the factory, using the Eternabond now would be a step towards preserving that factory seal... that's just the way I see it...

 

[Martian]

What happens when the eternabond breaks down in the sun? That will be more of a mess than doing it right and checking the caulking twice a year.

 

[Domo]

The roof is an annual inspection and maintenance task.

I appreciate the future concern but sometimes wearing a belt plus suspenders can be overkill. I'd be suspicious that modifying the warranteed roof might void the warranty?

 

[Mr Lars]

If your unit is brand new, I would hesitate to anything like that. If say, in five years or so you decide to sell, try and convince a potential buyer(or even a dealer) that what you did was ‘preventative’? I would not believe it.

 

[IBTripping]

Did Eternabond on a 1996 travel trailer. Never leaked. Gave it to a friend. Eternabond is still good and still doesn't leak.

 

[zulutron]

What happens when the eternabond breaks down in the sun?

Use a heat gun to remove it. Then apply new tape. Not a big deal. That's what I used to do in the Southwest (AZ, CA) heat.

I also used to apply EternaCaulk along the edges of the tape to keep the Eternabond tape from coming up.

That will be more of a mess than doing it right and checking the caulking twice a year.

I didn't find this to be true. "Doing it right" is a matter of opinion.

 

[RayIN]

zulutron, Eternabond will not will not "come up" when the directions are followed exactly. I suspect some people do not prep first then roll it down as directed, is why a few might experience it not adhering properly. Before being bought-out, Eternabond had a large library of videos, now this is the HBFuller company video:
Eternabond video

 

[Rene T]

Did Eternabond on a 1996 travel trailer. Never leaked. Gave it to a friend. Eternabond is still good and still doesn't leak.

How long ago did you allly it?

 

[TheBar]

What happens when the eternabond breaks down in the sun? That will be more of a mess than doing it right and checking the caulking twice a year.

It does not break down in the sun. Mine looks new and is just as flexible as new after being stored outside for 11 years in the hot Mississippi sun. And it doesn't come loose unless the surface was dirty when applied. The adhesive is still tacky after 11 years.

Using Eternabond is the right thing to do. But beware of other brands of tape which are not high quality.

 

[JavaCheeks]

The techs at the dealership said I should be inspecting all the seals and the roof every 3 months, even quarterly sounds neglectful to me... I'm on my roof almost every 2 or 3 weeks cleaning if off and looking at seals. I know it sounds like overkill, I do enjoy doing maintenance but camper build quality these days sucks and feel like taking more frequent inspections and even adding Eternabond is another step toward protecting the investment..

Not sure if the people I'm quoting are showing up...

 

[SpencerPJ]

I guess I am confused. I agree eternabond tape is a great product, but on a 17' TT, but what seams do you have? My TT has a single sheet over the whole roof, with simple cut-outs around a few things sticking up. They have RV caulking around them. Once a year I get on top and wash it with a soap and a soft brush, rinse, let dry and add a slight skim coat to all previously caulked areas. I guess tape around the skylights could be helpful. I'm guessing different roofs have different designs and construction.

 

[JavaCheeks]

Yes, using around the things on the roof but also around the edges of the roof where they attach the gutters, this is a known fail point for leaks. The roof membrane wraps over the side then the gutter is attached on top of that membrane. To attach the gutter they drill right through the membrane over time water gets behind it. People have been complaining about this for years. You would think they would attach the gutters first then wrap the roof membrane over the sides and into the gutters instead of drilling through it... I've seen a lot of videos people used Eternabond on this area to avoid this.

 

[Lou Schneider]

Yes, using around the things on the roof but also around the edges of the roof where they attach the gutters, this is a known fail point for leaks. The roof membrane wraps over the side then the gutter is attached on top of that membrane. To attach the gutter they drill right through the membrane over time water gets behind it. People have been complaining about this for years. You would think they would attach the gutters first then wrap the roof membrane over the sides and into the gutters instead of drilling through it... I've seen a lot of videos people used Eternabond on this area to avoid this.

The gutters hold the edge of the roof membrane down. You can't put the membrane on top of the gutter with an uncovered edge as it would just flap in the wind and eventually work itself loose.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Some general comments, more-or-less related to this thread:

• Eternabond tape is a terrific product. Properly applied it will seal tight and last for a decade or more. However, it is difficult to apply well over compound curves, protruding objects, or uneven surfaces like existing caulk. For some purposes, caulk is easier to do properly.
• Different manufacturers have differing techniques for the roof edge seams. Some more reliable than others. Workmanship is a key factor, yet it is often inconsistent.
• Corners and the front & rear cap roof seams are vulnerable to leaks because the caps shift as the RV moves, either during leveling or traveling down the highway. Both tape and caulk rely on stretch in the material to compensate. If a cap isn't designed and installed well, neither will be able to maintain a good seal.
• It's not a good idea to mess with the roof structure & sealing while still under warranty.

 

[Rene T]

I guess I am confused. I agree eternabond tape is a great product, but on a 17' TT, but what seams do you have? My TT has a single sheet over the whole roof, with simple cut-outs around a few things sticking up. They have RV caulking around them. Once a year I get on top and wash it with a soap and a soft brush, rinse, let dry and add a slight skim coat to all previously caulked areas. I guess tape around the skylights could be helpful. I'm guessing different roofs have different designs and construction.

You also have the joints for the front and rear end caps

 

[zulutron]

zulutron, Eternabond will not will not "come up" when the directions are followed exactly.

In my experience, given enough sun, the edges will lift and the tape itself will deteriorate.

Yes, following directions is critical. When I first put Eternabond tape on my Newmar RV's roof, I applied it over the wrong caulk (Sikaflex) and I stretched the tape when rolling it on. Eternabond should just be laid down.

After one year I removed the tape and re-applied Eternabond (Fiberglass Roof Repair 2013).

However, after 5 years under AZ sun, the Eternabond was lifting on the edges -- even with EternaCaulk applied along the tape sides. Plus, the tape was physically thinning.

I love using Eternabond, but nothing lasts forever.

 

[RayIN]

In my experience, given enough sun, the edges will lift and the tape itself will deteriorate.

Yes, following directions is critical. When I first put Eternabond tape on my Newmar RV's roof, I applied it over the wrong caulk (Sikaflex) and I stretched the tape when rolling it on. Eternabond should just be laid down.

After one year I removed the tape and re-applied Eternabond (Fiberglass Roof Repair 2013).

However, after 5 years under AZ sun, the Eternabond was lifting on the edges -- even with EternaCaulk applied along the tape sides. Plus, the tape was physically thinning.

I love using Eternabond, but nothing lasts forever.

Per instructions, Eternabond tape must be rolled down after being applied, to insure a good seal. They even sell a metal roller about the same size as a wood pastry roller for that purpose.