RV Membrane Roof Replacement: Prepping the Roof

Yes, I know...another RV roof Replacement video?
A viewer contacted me to help just replace the roof membrane on this 2007 Nash for Northwood Manufacturing. Unfortunately, as the owner preped the roof, water damage was discovered and I was asked to a bit more work. As it is an older unit they have asked me to save as much money as possible.
Here is the steps I took to repair the damage, and begin the roof replacement.
Thanks for watching!

[@stevebadalamente7070]

James, I have watched a great many of your videos. As a 20-year mechanic it is truly a joy to watch someone with your integrity and attention to quality work. Keep up the great videos..

[@genewomack4835]

Good job!

[@michaelquirke1281]

The best one-handed technician I've seen.

[@DavidHBurkart]

That made me laugh, but only because it is so true!!

[@PoteauCowboy]

You are; Expert. Talented. Intuitive. There are NO half measures in your work. The customers you have are very fortunate to have you doing the repairs. I put you in the top 5% of service technicians.

[@Havocme7]

2007 30ft Sunny brook. Bought it 2 years ago. Roof was white and black. Some rot. We replaced the rot, added an extra truss under where the ladder goes into the deck. Upgraded from R-7 to R-13. We also replaced all the decking. We used 3/4" marine plywood. We plan on keeping this for a while. We are waiting for a sunny day to put the membrane on. Been almost nonstop rain in New England.

[@PatHaskell]

I’m convinced RV companies don’t give a crap about making a durable roof.

[@frankmills5284]

🎯

[@DoRC]

It's cool to see an older camper getting taken care of. It's also sad that I considered 2007 to be an old camper.

[@Sewellmotorcoach]

Every time I think I have a question you always answer it a few seconds later!

[@geezer1471]

James is one of those people on my list to have with me after an apocalypse, he would be handy to have around to fix stuff

[@DavidHBurkart]

Here is James: "We are going to deconstruct the old roof, troubleshoot all of the contributing problems, fix them, then we are going to replace the old roof with a brand-new roof" "...all with one hand tied behind my back" (Well, holding a camera, but pretty much the same thing) 😂😂😂

[@ron7447]

Love the roof videos. Always a nightmare for you, but somehow they always come out great. I like how you tell the manufacturers their designs are not very good without really saying it. 😅

[@AZExpert]

Glad you like them!

[@Charger1908]

James I really enjoy your vids, I’ve been a diyer forever the only thing I’m weak in is electrical. I build my own engines in my cars, trucks and motorcycles as well as boats. Your videos give me another avenue for learning. My wife had an adult daughter and her boyfriend who live right there where you are. I really am looking forward to coming up your way and hopefully I will get a chance to meet you. Take care.

[@hillbillyrv]

Just as strong as Eterna-bond....ha ha.....Finally a budget roof job. That's what I do. Good one James

[@williamsmith5647]

I love the extra steps you take to make every job correct. Thanks for you videos.

[@212caboose]

That hole saw trick to create a patch panel, makes so much sense! I feel stupid that I didn't think of doing it that way before!!

[@GarH56]

Good repair ,the owners minds will be put at ease knowing the roof is all good.

[@TinyHouseHomestead]

You are the MAN! 😁👍👍🇺🇲

[@phillipcustance1618]

So awesome to see your channel grow. Great, helpful info. Truly appreciated. Happy travels 🍻✌

[@JimmyQuickFix]

The manufactures could learn a lot from James the man does not half ass stuff he does it right thank you sir for the great videos 👍👍

[@gene2024]

James ... I always like your videos. Informative and your work is excellent!

[@rss608]

I like the attention to detail like grinding the edges and installing the duct tape to protect the roofing material. I agree with you on the front cap arrangement. great editing too!!!!

[@AZExpert]

Thanks for watching! That very kind of you!

[@toddincabo]

👍 Wheww brother, I used to live in Mesa and worked in Fountain Hills and those summers could be brutal, I can imagine how it must have felt this past month, no thanks. This is the first time here in Los Cabos I've had to use my AC all night for over a week in a row in 26 years. Really enjoy the videos.

[@daviscrt]

Great attention to detail. Your integrity is second to none. Thanks Don

[@RobertStevensService]

Hey James, no caulking under the metal front & back to help ensure no water can flow :)

[@stevelongbeach5290]

“Just as strong as Eternabond…” you’re really asking for comments with that line! :)

[@user-zz9bf9mh2k]

Great work! I feel like a drive from FL would be worth having you do the repairs in the event I ever need a roof. Thank you for the videos, I'm sure it slows your progress.

[@goththicus]

Love to watch how you take an old, damaged roof and make it new again. Can you provide content on your opinion on Armor Flex on roof?

[@brycecastleton5863]

This video could not have come at a better time for me! Sent you an email with some inquiries! Thanks for creating this channel!

[@mikebrant192]

I wish you had spent a bit more time stressing to your viewers that the temps during the recording of this video were in excess of 110F every single day for the last 30 days. You did a great job, as usual. Thanks for sharing your work!

[@AZExpert]

I try not to bring it up too much, especially as I am my own boss so I only have myself to blame :)

[@anthonyb2334]

Great video. Although I don’t think I’d ever attempt this myself, your workmanship and detailed video is extremely helpful. Thank you

[@MusicFly64]

You do amazing work! Wish you lived near me...I'd hire you in a second. You're one of those Jack of All Trades I can tell. :) Your videos are extremely informative and great to watch. Thank you!

[@robbypro3370]

I though I came up with the way you did those hole saw patches, I did that exact same thing with drywall years ago. Oh well. Thanks for your video.

[@Kay-4JK]

Great contents. More videos like this please. Give me an idea how much work it would be to work on an RV roof lol.

[@lawrencesiemsen1083]

prep w/ patience and success will follow, great video ! thank you

[@professionalinspectionserv4228]

Thank you sir for the information. I would worry about the comments on how you do your job, just do a good job and teach us as you go along. I need to replace my roof but the cost is prohibited in my area. More then the 5th wheel is worth, lol. I will try this my self but as all my building projects I try to make it perfect or last a very long time... So I am thankful for the information you provide. I was pondering replacing the sheathing with plywood vs the osb used. I am thinking it would last longer and "if" it did get wet dries out and does not immediately go into rot like osb (vertical mulch) seems to. I also would like to use or profile the edges more round radius vs. The squared off currently, maybe use this sheet metal or aluminum. I want maybe eliminate the skylight since the fail so often and the sun seems to beat down through there anyway, maybe install a light there? Is there not a better product to install then tpo/rubber roof that will be more durable in the harsh environment and maybe less maintenance? Metal/aluminum/ azdell/ pvc...? Thank you and maybe some viewers have tried something different.

[@MountainMke]

Love the explanation of your process. I am currently redoing the roof of a 2012 ORV (also a Ron Nash product). They used OSB and I was just going to overlay. Now I am going to replace.

[@clarencewiles963]

This looks like a really good recipe for a good restart 😊thanks for sharing 💸

[@Havocme7]

11:50 Ours came with flashing over the edging. We went and bought some and mounted it. We also taped over all the edges to make sure.

[@johnlillyblad5188]

22:59 My man is trolling now! hahaha

[@cameronnguyen8722]

Thank you for sharing your video. Really enjoy and learn a lot from from you.

[@williamcarruthers3142]

Or, just do an aluminum wrap like Airstream. Great work, if I need a repair I'd go to AZ for a fix!

[@robertuffman3041]

this helps me alot. i just found that i have 2 softs spots on my 2017 27ft camper.

[@philw7174]

Yikes. Way to go James. Happy trails!

[@rreveler6705]

As one of the clips at the end, you could have someone pull up and say that they’ve been trying to get in touch with you about getting an extended warranty on your vehicle. 🙂🤣

[@lawrencebest9943]

Love watching your videos and I don't even own an RV

[@billdoerflinger6541]

The attention to detail is first class. Could you share with me the final cost of replacing the roof? Thank you.

[@timk.9827]

Another great job James, Thanks for the video

[@ricklauman2281]

Love ur videos! I’m rebuilding an older class 3 and your my main teacher. Once I get the deck done I want to go back with a single sheet of aluminum instead of rubber membrane. Any thoughts?

[@ryanm7865]

I would be interested in a comment on this as well, something I have thought about too.

[@SONiCJer]

love your videos and have learned a lot. I likethat you pay attention to quality while still realizing we all have budgets. one thing I would offer idms I have had great sucess using car bondo/ body filler as a wood filler. Such as around the round plugs you used. Please dont see this as criticism, but rather wanting to support you and share some of my experience.

[@johnhoyle6390]

As a recent retiree my concept was to purchase an RV trailer and pickup truck and we'd travel care-free to see the country. but the more I learn the more I realize that a carefree turn-key drive-camp-sleep trailer life isn't so simple. (thank God for KZbin!) Serious question: is it possible to get an RV trailer than will not require unexpected repairs and constant attention to maintenance? is there a care-free RV trailer? Is there a make / model that would allow this?

[@sissinoklahoma2057]

No. But... there are insurances you can buy for roadside repair. There are RV techs you can hire to inspect your systems for you and do repairs/maintenance, as needed. It's just a home (on wheels) with the usual home maintenance and upkeep necessary. But because it's on wheels, there's more wear/tear on seams & components. We live comfortably as full-timers and probably spend 2 hours a month (at most) on maintenance, which is less than just one time of mowing/weedeating the grass at a house. So there's degrees of effort. I inspect our roof every 3 months. Last inspection, I determined the caulk around the toilet vent was at the end of its life. When scraping it away, I found it had just started to actually fail and had started a small leak. Nothing was yet wet inside of the RV, a little wet at the entrance. At worst, it had been a slow leak for 3 months, no more. There was no damage yet, so I fixed it. If you're a proactive and practical person, the maintenance is straightforward and non-technical.

[@joeparker7423]

Prep is everything!

[@hollyhefner8184]

This helped me so much. Thanks

[@AZExpert]

Glad it helped!

[@hddm3]

Awsome as usual! Thanks so much. Have learned alot

[@bigjeep2195]

I don't care how bad your roof is, James can fix it.

[@Boeing767DriverAA]

Any videos or suggestions for delaminating sidewalls on a 2009 30' Southwind ??

[@steveasher9239]

great video. thanks. I kept it for future reference.

[@adventuretravelproject]

Your advice has been so helpful in my own RV repairs. I am curious, can you tell me the staple gun you are using? Mine is a 1/4 wide stapler and it seems too small. The factory staples are more like 7/16 wide. Thanks for all your helpful videos and knowledge!

[@timf6916]

Good job

[@papabapyro8169]

Nice job. I pity you working in the heat you guys are getting now. Cheers

[@adventureswithrichandowen2122]

So glad I found your videos! Watching them is so incredibly helpful, thank you! One thing that makes me crazy is the way they mount the top of the awning. I have a 2007 Jayco and they go right through the termination strip without sealing it. Why do they do this??? Is there a better way to mount the top or a good way to seal it when I mount the top brackets?

[@coyotebuster1]

James have you thought of putting a plastic radius like a drywall corner on instead of grinding the outside corners, I did that to my trailer last year when I replaced the roof. Seems to be holding up and looks much better as well

[@terrycarlson568]

Best one yet. All my problems😂

[@she_sings_delightful_things]

BRAVO! 👍👍

[@jimmydavis5951]

At the 14 minute mark you mention OSB.I have to replace my TPO on my trailer and it came with the OSB so from what you said maybe I should replace it with plywood?I have to replace the OSB already so putting a better board down would be better repair.Also would it help, if it is possible, to dab some lock tight on the screws so they will not back out.

[@garygoudeau8346]

Thanks James for another video. I am rebuilding the roof on my travel trailer. I has a flat 3" roof of foam and luan glued together and very thin aluminum tubing. The roof sagged from the weight of the air conditioner and some water damage. I am installing solid wood with an arch cut on top to give natural drainage. Needless to say your videos have helped me immensely. The original roof membrane was EPDM. I see several types of rv roof material on the market. EPDM, TPO, and PVC. The EPDM takes a lot of maintinence to keep it up. The PVC and TPO are somewhat maintinence free. What is your opinion on the PVC membrane? What type of membrane do you feel is best?

[@JeffinTD]

Great videos. Are you having any issues obtaining edpm membrane and related adhesives?

[@mikeha9676]

Fantastic roof video James 🙂 Questions: Does the owner plan to just park it or go out on the road? How does the undercarriage look? Rusty or Clean Thanks

[@Jimmy_Jim_Jim_1234]

I wish i was young enough for a career change. I'd come work for ya!

[@lukebaldwin3335]

I was wondering if is it possible to put a more of an A-frame like roof on the RV cause I would like to add side slants to the roof so when snow is on top it slides off and has water ducks to keep the water draining off the roof or would it be better to make a slanted top to put over the pre-existing roof unjust wondered cause I have to fix water damaged roof so thought i would some research before starting and if any ideas seem better I did see a concept where someone added a loft to the back of the trailer and it gave it more headroom like they built the structure to the frame but I wasn't sure how to make it with movement and the bending during driving like how would the integrity stay and if it's safe

[@BillEdwards4]

Could you use low expansion spray foam to patch the smaller deck holes?

[@pault1964]

Being a ceiling fixer fixing holes like that done thousands of times

[@bv3621]

Can you add a link for the replacement screws for everything in the project also will that glue adhere to osb got a 2019 heartland pioneer, they used osb for the roof just have to replace two sheets

[@michaelprue9024]

Hey bud, I have a question for you…. Next year I’m planning to replace the EPDM rubber roof membrane on my wife’s travel trailer. She got a good 19 years out of it !!! And while it is definitely at the end of its life, there are no holes, rips, tears, leaks etc. I maintain that camper ALL THE TIME for her. But still, it needs done. So here’s my question: Can I use the eternabond tape along the sides of the walls where you used the gorilla tape ? My concern with that is will the membrane glue adhere to the smooth eternabond and keep the membrane glued together ??? I truly do not know so I am asking. It seems to me IF I can use the eternabond tape that it would definitely help prevent leaks along the walls. Also, I really like your method of not putting the membrane under the end caps. I mean, whoda thunk it ? Keeping water out of the end caps ? What a GREAT IDEA LOL !

[@TJontherox1102]

Getting ready to pull the trigger and replace the roof on my reflection 337rls. What brand or type is your preference? Doesn't look overly difficult, just time really

[@carlosespinosa3613]

James, you said you put the membrane over the front and rear caps. how do you terminate the leading edges? Is the adhesive enough?

[@treynelson5998]

Is it necessary when replacing roof panels to put down construction adhesive on the trusses or are screws alone good enough?

[@Brandon-pt4zb]

I pulled the epdm membrane off my camper and it has osb board but it's sticky from original adhesive. Will my dicor 901ba properly adhere the new epdm to the old stickey adhesive?

[@VrodEd]

Great videos! Preference on 30mil vs 60mil? I only see 30 mil unless you buy 100 ft.

[@solvend]

How many labor hours did all that tear down and prep take?

[@edh7658]

Great Job, I am thinking of doing my TT roof, one thing I have not seen is taking the trim off from around the edge and putting it back on, is this just a simple thing or is it difficult and do you use butyl tape underneath

[@AZExpert]

it just screws on yes, and tape behind the molding yes

[@johnstanczak5075]

James, thanks, what kind of ladder is that?

[@larrypahl5756]

thanx. can we use 60mil vinyl membrane?

[@Learntogethersolar]

What is probably the best trailer brands? Looking for something under 20ft.

[@Technocrat.]

Would be nice if RV builders would use Marine Grade plywood. Good video

[@sail4free1]

But every dollar of cost to the factory becomes $3 of MSRP. So that $63 sheet of 3/8" marine ply will add $189 to the MSRP or $5.40 per square foot . . . still sure that's what you want? That would have added $1,425 of MSRP to our 33' 5th wheel (minus the cost of the 3/8" OSB they used). Clean and inspect and reseal your roof properly every year like you're supposed to and you get a dry roof at a small fraction of the cost of marine ply.

[@ramonm8823]

James, With so many roofs under your belt, at today's prices, what would the per foot cost be for membrane roofs. Thanks

[@Lo20656]

I'm I just being a baby when working with insulation???? I wear a hat, gloves and all that, and dudes over here just raw dogging it lol.

[@ThomasRobinson-oo7ms]

I'm curious why the patches were smaller than the hole you made in the roof to repair the small holes from the antenna and satellite prep. Other than that this was very informative.

[@dennysulli6880]

Sure could use your expert help. Where are you located ? And are you available for repairs?

[@gladlisa1]

James were are filming from ? anywere near Texas ?

[@DavidJrWielgus]

I'm new to fithwheel and I have one that needs new plywood and rubber where's the cheapest place to get that done

[@jeremiahmichener177]

How bad is to bad? I’m full time living and got a screaming good deal on a fifth wheel but the roof above the hitch is really bad and has signs of caving

[@JOHNG104A]

Has anyone tried metal roof from a metal roofing company before it was krimped, it's galvalume , can you screw it down like a house, it does hold up in 150mph winds

[@valeriehayes422]

You should try a head-worn camera, like a coal miner. Would allow you to teach us using both hands.

[@brandoncarr7613]

What’s the ball bark on how much this cost to repair from a shop?

[@robertuffman3041]

how much do you charge for a 21 ft box TT membrane replacement?

[@skywalkk0079]

Need a roof done

[@AaronWieringa]

what the ballpark of what a repair like this costs?

[@iglapsu88]

mask is good to avoid metal in your lungs. nice job!

[@AZExpert]

thank you!

[@earlribaudo4807]

Good video, but was wondering why didn't you put caulking under the front and rear caps before stapling them. I feel for you in the extreme heat. Take it easy and drink a lot of liquids. I drink Propel. Taste good and very good for you.

[@AZExpert]

it won't seal there anyway, just like the metal on the sidewalls isn't sealed behind it

[@earlribaudo4807]

Yea, never thought of that. But still a cool video. Really like watching your videos, you add so much color to them. lol

[@barrylenoble6705]

Hi James I saw you today Apache Junction are you gonna be around here for a few weeks and if so how do I contact you?

[@brodiemackay2]

How much did this cost?