RV Roof Inspection and Cleaning

#rvroofcleaning #rvroofinspection #rvmaintenance It's RV Spring cleaning time and for I Love RV Life, that means climbing on top of the 5th wheel, performing a thorough RV roof inspection and cleaning. It's not a difficult process if done once a year. We cover roof inspection, our cleaning tips and safety. This is something every RV'er should do each year. Having a clean and inspected RV roof helps preserve your RV investment, minimize leaks and helps reflect the hot summer sun.
Visit our website for more information about RV travel, 5th wheel mods and tips and RV life at iLoveRVlife.com.
Products we discussed in this video:
Camco Wash Brush with Adjustable Handle - amzn.to/2zlQ0gm
Dicor 501LSW-1 Lap Sealant - amzn.to/30w1g4G
EternaBond Roof Seal Sealant Tape - amzn.to/2YkLwz1
Dawn Dish Soap - amzn.to/2AUk82y
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

[@Ricky-eo5ym]

Wow great advice a little bit of maintenance goes a long way. I can not believe how clean that came up. Thank you.

[@iLoveRVlife]

Thanks.

[@joannelanglois7495]

Your smile is infectious. I love your videos, you can see how much you love the RV life. Thank you for sharing with us

[@iLoveRVlife]

Hi Joanne. This is one of the nicest comments ever! So glad you're enjoying the videos and we do so love RV life. We have more tips and trips planned for the year. Promise I'll have some smiles in those too :)

[@shirleyvinson3894]

Ok, I'm binge watching you this morning and you have me on the roof again. I'm gonna put my handyman on robo dial. ❤️

[@iLoveRVlife]

Great Shirley! Welcome to the channel. So glad you’ve found our videos helpful. Get that guy in the the roof!

[@jerrykrobby]

Thanks for the video. Glad you mentioned the products removing the wax. I've watched several videos on cleaning RV roofs as I'm about to clean ours for the first time and this is the only video I've seen that mentioned this really important fact.

[@iLoveRVlife]

Glad we could help.

[@genesetzer5217]

Thank you for all your tips Jerry, Glad I found you

[@iLoveRVlife]

Glad you found us too Gene. Hope the video helped.

[@Amer1ca56]

We took your advice from these videos today. Cleaned our roof, awning, and travel trailer. Going to get the self-leveling stuff in the morning and filling those micro cracks. Installing new vent covers also. Thanks.....

[@iLoveRVlife]

Great move Stephen. I do this every spring.

[@Amer1ca56]

@@iLoveRVlife Hope to see you sometime in the campgrounds. We are in NE Ga.

[@johnnywilcox4600]

Thxs for the info

[@StorytellerSueW]

Excellent video, just what I was looking for. I coated with 100% silicone last year, agree that there are better alternatives to keeping the rubber roof. A harsh wet winter, and after cleaning looks just like I painted it last September. TY! And happy travels"

[@iLoveRVlife]

That's great Sue. So glad these tips helped. Jerry...

[@mickimc2883]

Your roof looks fantastic!! :OD

[@iLoveRVlife]

Thanks

[@bigdogbulldog9912]

Great tips,thanx

[@iLoveRVlife]

Super! Thanks for the comment.

[@kylepost4]

If you don't feel comfortable walking on a wet roof, you could also buy a scaffolding kit and stand on that. It may make cleaning a little harder but it can be a lot safer.

[@claudius622]

Very instructive video. One day I was cleaning my roof and I accidentally easely break one skylite and I realized how fragile they are, made with thin plastic . So I replaced both with new skylite made of high impact polycarbonate uv protected. Now im leaving with a peace of mind .I don't understand why companies installed those cheap skylite that obviously will soon shatter and put you in real trouble. Tires and roof are the most crucial parts of your camper !

[@iLoveRVlife]

No kidding! Plus they get very brittle after a couple years. When ours cracked, good grief did we flood the bathroom during a hard rain. Thankfully, I always have a couple of tubes of lap seal just in case.

[@claudius622]

I also carry tubes and the Eternabond roof seal tape in my emergency kit. Keep your good work it's very helpful !

[@Tipperary757]

303 Aerospace UV spray protection is good for plastic covers = longer life.

[@iLoveRVlife]

That it is. Great tip.

[@tomrowan5691]

Jerry, I also live in the south. I live in north Texas and my travel traileris 2 years old. What roof sealant do you recommend. I watched your video, lots of great information.

[@iLoveRVlife]

Hi To . With my PVC roof, no sealant is needed. If the roof is in good shape, keep it clean and the seams sealed.

[@johnnywilcox4600]

Thanks 4 the video. I also have a 2014 Gateway. Ive noticed in your vidoes yours is shiny. Mine is very dull looking like maybe not a good clear coat. Do you do anything special to keep it shiny. Ive tried a lot of diffrrent things posted on utube. Either im doing them wrong or something is wrong with my finish.

[@iLoveRVlife]

Thanks Johnny. I wash it with Dawn. Doesn't seem to be harsh on the finish. Every year or so I use a marine wax. It's more durable than car wax. A little more expensive too. 3M makes a good product. It's a job and takes all day. If you tackle it, make sure you do the shady side. Waxing with the sun heating the RV will ruin the finish.

[@bobrankin7984]

I think a cleaner roof reduces black streaks on the sides as well.

[@iLoveRVlife]

Hi Bob. I agree. I have a couple methods to remove black streaks. I'm planning a back streak removal video in the near future.

[@pensacola07]

If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost to put the pvc roof on your camper

[@iLoveRVlife]

Randall. I had some damage on the rounded edge that needed to be repaired too. Also had a new layer of luan laid over the old to protect from any splinters. All total, $7k.

[@dtylerdunbrack9188]

Nobody tells you if you can put new lap sealant over old or does it have to be removed.

[@iLoveRVlife]

Hi Tyler. As long as the old lap sealant isn’t deteriorating or curling up on the edges, just filling in the cracks works. If it’s really old and coming apart, it’s time to peal it up and replace.

[@GeorgiaBoyJake]

Who did you have to install your replacement roof? I have been thinking about taking my to RV roof install in Fort O, in Georgia.

[@iLoveRVlife]

Mid State RV in Byron, GA. They have a full RV body shop. Did a great job and on time. The PVC roof is 5 years old, has never been covered and still looks great.

[@GeorgiaBoyJake]

@@iLoveRVlife ok I'm look into them .

[@marilynmulkey6095]

What do you use to clean the outside of your fifth wheel?

[@iLoveRVlife]

Use the same solution as the roof and a soft brush

[@noeleenfalkner4557]

Thanks great video; not for a woman to do though dont know where i could get mine done not a driveable unit

[@iLoveRVlife]

Hi Noeleen. You may want to check with RV service companies in your area. Some may have a portable service unit who can clean and inspect the outside and roof of your RV.

[@noeleenfalkner4557]

not available in New Zealand manly people live in houses here; and i have a cottage through Ceder creek USA so i may have to ask house washing people thanks for your reply

[@noeleenfalkner4557]

thanks for that will do

[@StorytellerSueW]

I am 59; totally doable as a woman. Can't see how gender has anything to do with this type of chore, tbh.

[@joannelanglois7495]

Why not for a women? My husband doesn't go on the roof, I do. Weird comment IMO. Am I missing something?

[@Ricky-eo5ym]

How does your roof look now 6 years later?

[@iLoveRVlife]

I clean every 6 months. Trees and dusty road make a bit of a mess.

[@Ricky-eo5ym]

@@iLoveRVlife Does it still look as good?

[@iLoveRVlife]

Like brand new!

[@Ricky-eo5ym]

@@iLoveRVlife That's super cool, I will definitely be doing this maintenance. I just purchased a new travel trailer with a pvc roof up here in Ontario Canada and I am super excited for spring to get started. Just found your channel and looking forward to exploring. Thank you have a great weekend.

[@iLoveRVlife]

@Ricky-eo5ym Thanks for watching. Enjoy that new camper. Safe travels.

[@bbeslionspta5884]

Where'd you get your pvc roof?

[@iLoveRVlife]

Mid-State RV in Byron, GA. They have a full service RV paint and body shop. We've had the new roof for about a year and half and it's holding up nice. Does great reflecting the sun and no chalking.

[@erleysmiff5151]

Is TPO and PVC the same type roof ?

[@iLoveRVlife]

No, they are substantially different. TPO or thermoplastic polyolefin membrane roofs have more of a rubber like quality. TPO has a wide range of use from RVs to commercial building. I expect TPO has the largest use in RV manufacturing just based on it's earliest adoption and performance. PVC roofing for RVs also originated from use in commercial buildings. The big difference we've found in our PVC roof over the replaced TPO is PVC does not require any reconditioning or treatments to prevent fading, oxidation, drying and cracking, and it doesn't require any special cleaning agents. It's much easier to clean compare to TPO even with tree sap deposits that have cake on over several months. We also found it to be more reflective and the 5th wheel was easier to cool during the late Spring and early Summer months at the Florida beach this year. We have almost 3 years on the roof and have no complaints.

[@erleysmiff5151]

Thank you for the reply. If I may ask, how old was your TPO roof ?

[@iLoveRVlife]

A little over a year. Had to replace due to damage from a large tree limb.

[@iLoveRVlife]

Little over $7k including the metal repair between the side and roof on one side and a complete 2nd layer of luan on top.