Hole in RV Roof! DIY

Find a hole in your RV? Seal it before it gets worse.
We both climb onto the roof of our Grand Design Solitude fifth wheel regularly - I (Alice) film and Larry inspects. (Unfortunately, not every site let’s set the ladder at a correct angle )
We do this at every new campground, which is about every week on average.
Our extend n climb ladder makes it safer and easier (see video link below about ladder)
After Larry blows off the trailer roof and slides, he checks for any issues - that's how we found a small hole.
Looks like nothing but with a bad storm coming, we know water damage can be devastating for any camper.
We use Eternabond for quick fixes. But we use the proper sealant when we have more time and for a more permanent fix. Check with your specific RV for what is best (link to short about sealant below)
Not all campsites allow the RV ladder to be extended in the optimal position.
Our RV roof is designed to be walked on - to check it & make repairs
Checklists link- downsizingmakescents.com/hitc...
RV Checklist video
• Hitching Fifth Wheel C...
Different Types of Caulks/ Sealants
• You Need Different Cau...
Better RV Ladder
• Telescoping Ladder for...
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RV Checklist
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Different Types of Caulks/ Sealants
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Better RV Ladder
• Telescoping Ladder for...
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We are a married couple in our mid 50s who downsized and sold our house so we can see the sights and enjoy every day to live deliberately as full time RVers - traveling with our dog Scruffy, in our Grand Design Solitude 310 GK fifth wheel.
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#rvliving #roofrepair #rvmaintenance #holeintheroof

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Click on 3 dots in upper right corner of video for more info Click on product link on screen to see all product links available

[@DEVIL666wtf]

Bro you don't know how tf to seal a roof that's a temporary fix

[@RedmistAU]

Hey mate, the angle you have the extendo ladder on is dangerous. Use the 4:1 rule, every 4ft you go up have 1 ft of space between the wall and the ladder. The angle you have it on is putting force onto the uprights the wrong way. Stay Safe.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Sometimes a site doesn’t give you a choice

[@JasperJanssen]

@@DownsizingMakesCentsthese expandable ladders can expand less, as well. Your ladder needs to be steeper. Especially with extendo ladders, they’re not made to bridge a horizontal gap.

[@QWERTYQWERTY-vb7yv]

@@DownsizingMakesCentswhat about the ladder the rv provides ?

[@littlejackalo5326]

He'll be just fine.

[@lisamcgrath3132]

Great catch & fix Larry🤗

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

He was on his A game 😉

[@Wesdavidson81]

This guy made straight A’s and did his chores as a child. I respect guys with this kind of mind set!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

😆not even close

[@nationalsalvagedirectassoc5267]

Good to be thorough on your maintenance. Just 1 recommendation. Your ladder angle is to shallow. Place your feet at the feet of the ladder. Then your arms at shoulder height extended forward level on the ladder rail. That is the proper ladder angle

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Please see pinned comment

[@sherriweber7105]

Hi Larry and Alice! I love that extended ladder you attached to the Rv ladder. It looks more sturdier! Not sure how it’s spelled! Larry I’m glad you showed what you used to seal up that hole. That’s what’s you call a quick fix! Lol! Glad to see you doing well Larry! Always praying for your health and Alice’s too! Love you both! Thank you for this video! 🤗😘❣️

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Thanks. Lots of repairs traveling 3 1/2 years now. We’ve learned a lot. And thanks. Having fun but looking forward to getting back to Florida for a break

[@Imarida2]

Thats funny. The flexing i saw made me think otherwise. If he just pushed the bottom 1 foot closer it wouldn't stress the ladder.

[@GaryThatsgary]

He sounds like a fun vacation

[@JonnyDIY]

Great job Larry, and good eye! 👍

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Some people think he “spotted” it because he caused it 😆

[@greenlover4522]

I really like your habits of making sure everything is fine and in a place where it should be. I'm like that.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

It only makes sense when this is our full time home right now

[@artor9175]

Those telescoping ladders are not nearly as safe as a rigidly mounted ladder.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Actually, the opposite. Ask fire fighters, construction workers etc

[@wagu7003]

Yes he was using that ladder improperly. The bottom end was pulled out too far. In This diagonal position the ladder cannot support very well the heavy load put upon it.

[@miroreo]

@@DownsizingMakesCentsThe ladders you’re referring to are very different from the one you’re using.

[@luisaraujo4708]

You do know that commercially available ladders have to be certified, right? How you chose to use it is another story.

[@C0LT0NTV]

​​@@DownsizingMakesCentsConstruction worker here. I don't know or have met anyone who would trust those telescoping ladders, let alone at that terrible of an angle putting it under forces it wasn't designed for. Have some humility and admit you were using it incorrectly instead of defending the poor practice throughout the comment section.

[@Miroudias]

You're going to break your neck if you keep using the ladder at that angle. Not only can it kick out depending when you put top weight down, but that's waited for so many pounds, vertically. Not horizontally. That's a lot of downward pressure from the side.

[@ralphp3057]

Good thing you found that roof issue! With all RV’s water and wood frames don’t mix !!! 😬

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

And we have had tons of rain since the fix

[@CH67guy1]

I never inspect my RV roof. I’d have to get an RV first.

[@nathanurick8320]

Eternabond tape 👍

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Please see pinned comment

[@chrissmith9798]

Over time big damage is your ladder snapping on ya,be safe 4-1

[@genespell4340]

If you can't find 90 percent alcohol, buy Ever Clear at the liquor store. It's 95 percent alcohol. If it is made at a lower alcohol content, I am yet to see lt.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Thanks for the tip. But we have never had a problem having the 90 perfect with us

[@RD-qc3eb]

(Full time RVr here for over 6 years) So you're the guy with that leaf blower waking me up too early on travel day. There's a better way... I'm hungover. My head hurts... Help me out man. Takes me 30 minutes to hook up my fifth wheel at the very last minute of check out. Please stop. Thank you. 😂

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

We follow quiet hours. And all campground rules. We don’t like to leave “at the last minute”

[@RD-qc3eb]

@@DownsizingMakesCents we go slow and use every second we paid for while utilizing extended quiet hours. No need for rushing.

[@idadho]

That expandable ladder is for vertical loads. That angle will destroy that ladder and hurt you. It is not a staircase. Leave a rung at the top unopened to shorten the ladder. I put a small dab of sealant on the spot and massage it in before creating a wider seal repair.

[@aidenelliott2006]

After our camping trip in our RV there was a rainstorm and after Time the lap seal stretched and flooded the master bed and we had to get a whole new roof!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Yikes. Was it still under warranty?

[@aidenelliott2006]

@@DownsizingMakesCents yes it was we got a discount of 15% off and the old owners had a hole in there before they filled it with lap seal and now we have to check it every 90 days!

[@SevenBears1]

"I found"....That's what I say after breaking something,.. Thanks DMC

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

🤔

[@rvsbladesnthangs]

Great idea, I better get up there soon before winter comes. This will be my first winter living in my camper.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Definitely want to look for any holes or cracked seals

[@rvsbladesnthangs]

@@DownsizingMakesCents I washed it today... just in time for the rain tonight 😆

[@dizzlefshizzle]

When your kids shoot a pellet through the ceiling inside the camper😅

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Did that happen to you? Wow. Sorry. Our “kids” are in their mid to late 20s 😆. But when they were young, I can’t imagine them doing that

[@joshdavis8447]

When your roof needs to be replaced, go with a quality PVC like XTRM. This way, whenever a repair needs to be done, you can make a permanent, chemically bonded repair, using real membrane. It works on anything from a small tear like this, all the way to entire sections replaced. Sealant works well, but needs maintained/replaced every couple years.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

We are using what the manufacturer recommends But thanks. We will look into it

[@burtcale6055]

Or just use a piece of eternabond tape.

[@jbraywc]

Good job. Love the list🎉

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Thank you

[@RyanLynch1]

very thorough. nice

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Thank you positive comment. It’s hard to be thorough in a short 😁

[@Imarida2]

That ladder is on too low of an angle. It wouldnt be a big deal if it wasnt a telescope ladder. They are not as rigid and u could tell the weight was stressing it. The weight should want to go down with the length of the ladder the more perpendicular the load the more it stresses it out

[@matthewchiovitti7072]

This guy used a ladder to get up a ladder 😂

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Matthew, actually, we don’t use the RV ladder. They aren’t safe Alice

[@heartbehindtheart]

Hoorah! Good job!

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Thanks

[@williamhanlon8159]

Looks to me watching numerous videos about RV life that it's a bigger PITA than owning a boat and that's saying a lot.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

We owned a boat - lots of maintenance. Expensive. Most of the RV things we fix are quick, easy, inexpensive

[@DeWhytePoverty]

That ladder is way to far out its a ladder 🪜 not a ramp.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Some campground sites, we just don’t have a choice

[@sagebair569]

if u look ur finger the sealant won’t really stick to u

[@michaelsalmon6436]

Thanks for sharing these tips which are also extremely applicable to all home owners! BTW, do you own that ladder and carry it around with you?

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Yes. The ladder is collapsible and fits in the bed of the truck

[@rjm7168]

And soon you'll find a crack in your solar panel if you keep kneeling on it like that what's wrong with you! You do know it's covered in glass, right?

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

He installed the entire system by himself years ago. And you?

[@erod6214]

I just use eternalbond tape.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

We use that too - depends on situation

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

I keep 2 inch and 6 inch eternabond around always, perfect for quick fixes. Larry

[@SabastianCaine]

Absolutely noted if I ever get an RV

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

👍

[@x2wheelthrottle253]

Clean then use EternaBond roof tape. Will out last the roof !!

[@Guywhotypestoolongcomments]

Not to be mean, but that kind a look like when you got a hole in your head it’s like you guys are connect. It’s like the RV and you are connected.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

😆 I hope not. This RV is falling apart and Larry has enough medical problems

[@Guywhotypestoolongcomments]

OK

[@TheDana110]

Did he check the voltage output from the panel he was kneeling on?

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Solar panels are pretty tough. We have had them for over 3 years

[@adamdavenport6421]

hi Larry my name is adam Davenport next time you up onto your rv please use a rock climbing rope and a rock climbing lett safety comes first k have a great day

[@leonardryan8723]

It’s junk with time . Need 52 hundred good for life . 😊

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

?

[@aggrogator4045]

The angle on that latter is just asking for an accident lol

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Read description

[@Spookysnake]

How long have you had your RV

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

It’s a 2017 that we bought in 2019

[@Joe_Dallas]

Lol😂

[@NoMoneyHubby]

Im ALWAYS inspecting my RV's roof

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

👍

[@DekarNL]

Step 1: attach a ladder to a ladder. Damn never knew I needed to travel with 2 ladders.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

We have a full video why built on RV ladders are unsafe

[@theandrew6286]

​@@DownsizingMakesCentsThere is no way your expandable ladder at that angle is safer.

[@reedtassell4847]

@@theandrew6286my thoughts exactly. The weight rating on ladders is usually only at a 10-15° angle, so I have no clue how much it could hold at 45. Probably also has a pretty low weight rating to begin with.

[@mustardcrumbles]

This bloke walks on his weak plastic roof regularly and then noted that the roof has a hole

[@charliebecker2216]

Basic task like this are worth $1000 of dollars down the line .

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

💯 why not fix it before it gets costly

[@Warriormedic68]

Old retired white dudes get RV's and take care of them like it's some kind of higher calling.

[@tmacgee1234]

The pitch of that ladder is sketch

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Not all sites allow for optimal placement Still better than RV ladder

[@TylerSmith-qx6uz]

Those ladders aren’t really designed to be used at that angle, be careful.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Sites don’t always allow for best use

[@silvere36]

Sometimes it seems like a lot of work to RV

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Just like owning a sticks and bricks. But our “home” takes us to wondrous places

[@bobabooie6389]

👍🇺🇲

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

🤗

[@jstar1000]

Ladder is at too extreme of an angle, super unsafe on a telescoping ladder to boot.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Unfortunately, not every site let’s set the ladder at a correct angle

[@CornPiece4u]

Stinky finger

[@chessesniffer]

Phil swift

[@Mars-zgblbl]

My Palomino popup was designed and built by drug addicts

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

😆

[@kennethhudson8013]

YeH why are roofs made out of cheap materials

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Unfortunately, there are a lot of cheap materials used - even in our “luxury” fifth wheel 😡

[@kennethhudson8013]

@@DownsizingMakesCents that makes RVs a huge rip off

[@lancearmor7309]

WORST SEAL JOB IVE EVER SEEN.

[@SmallSpaceLiving]

I bet Alice was driving again and hit something. That's the reason for the hole. Women drivers. lol

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

You think you are soooo funny 😆 I don’t tow.

[@kaisersosay4238]

Maybe walk on the roof less buddy

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

It’s built to be walked on - so you can inspect and make repairs

[@nonethelessfirst8519]

Your ladder is improperly placed. Making it far more of a hazard.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

Not every campsite can accommodate correct angle

[@louisr5208]

All of the sealant joints look terrible.

[@DownsizingMakesCents]

That’s how it came from the factory