EPDM vs TPO RV roofs - How To Choose, Identify And Maintain Them

Your RV roof is your first line of defense against water leaks that can wreck your RV. And most RV roofs these days are made of rubber.
But which kind of rubber roof is best for your RV? And how do you know what kind of rubber roof you have on your RV now? Finally, how are you supposed to care for and maintain an RV rubber roof?
This video explains the answers to your EPDM or TPO RV rubber roof questions. Don't miss it!
Products featured in the video:
🔸 Eternabond roof repair tape - amzn.to/3L3GoZT
🔸 Dicor RV rubber roof cleaner - amzn.to/3l14SZb
🔸 Dicor RV rubber roof UV protectant - amzn.to/3JuaXXP
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[@kentkinyon8421]

excellent video

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!

[@SAMobileRVRepairMinutes]

The different types of RV roofs I have worked are TPO, EPDM , Vinyl , Fiberglass, Steel, and Aluminum.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Yes, I just decided to make this video about only TPO and EPDM as they seem to be the most common rubber roofs in use. But I plan to cover other roofing types in a video soon. Thanks for watching!

[@kevindefosse9345]

Great video. Not sure if all manufacturers do this, but I have a 2022 Keystone Springdale and my owner's manual specifies that the roof is an Alpha Systems TPO roof.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Hi Kevin. That's great that Keystone actually identified the roofing material they used on your RV. What a timesaver to access that information right away. But many RV builders don't specify the roofing type in your RV manual. However, if you call them and ask, they often can give you more information about it. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!

[@1607trojan]

I like the video. Can’t wait for the next video about coating the roof as that’s our next step on our list.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

I'm glad this video was helpful. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@robertroth287]

Very informative. It would be interesting to compare rubber roofs vs. fiberglass,

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Hi Robert. I was thinking that I may make a video comparing all the four major roof types and that would include fiberglass. I'll see what I can do. Thanks for making that suggestion!

[@howardlunsford3140]

I would like to second Robert's request. I think it would be a good idea.

[@larrycox6614]

Thanks for all the clarifications

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Glad it was helpful Larry. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@CheriSicard]

Excellent information as always. Thank you so much!!!

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@cavepeon4429]

Thank you so much for this video and all the information! Was exactly what I was looking for. Greatly appreciated. I think I had asked a question on it on another video. Not sure if it was a response to my specific question or not but very cool you were able to get this out! Thanks again.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

We aim to please!!! ... :-) It's nice to hear that it was both timely and needed. I appreciate your support of the channel too!

[@ez.espinosa]

Very informative video. lots of thanx!😊

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@fyfedrum]

I came across your channel last week, and based on what I saw (I think it was on roof coatings) I decided to subscribe. I own a 28' Windjammer Travel Trailer, and we love it! My Ram 1500 tows it well and it's a well-made product. I expect I'll learn a lot from watching your videos...Thanks!

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Sounds great. So glad that you subbed the channel. And thanks for leaving such a nice comment!

[@loneranger8293]

Great video sir! I have been using lap sealant on my roof and cleaning and inspecting yearly with no issues. I am thinking now with all of the positive reviews with Eternabond to replace the lap sealant with the tape. Thoughts?

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

I don't think I would go so far as to replace the sealant with Eternabond. But applying it over the area where sealant is used is something that a lot of RVers have done with good results.

[@loneranger8293]

@@RVInspectionAndCare ok thanks but in theory once the tape is applied than sealant would no longer be needed. I may also alpply a small bead of lap sealant perhaps along some of the tape edges perhaps. Cheers!

[@daviscrt]

great information. Thanks Don

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Glad it was helpful Don. And thanks to you for supporting this channel!

[@howardlunsford3140]

Good video some good information.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

I'm glad that you enjoyed it Howard. Thanks for watching!

[@richardflewelling2101]

great information. Ziolla and Dicor have products that create a new membrane when applied to EPDM. Have you any information regarding the Ziolla product? The Ziolla is applied once the roof is clean and washed. Apparently no primer or multiple applications are necessary. Also a lifetime guarantee. Too good to be true?

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

I don't know anything about Ziolla. But I made a video about a product that sounds a lot like it here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pF6rpH-GZ8Z1Z5I

[@Shadowsdreamatnight]

I don’t want to completely replace the roof material, I would like to know your recommendations on a roof coating that I can paint on

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

I made a video about the roof coating that I used here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pF6rpH-GZ8Z1Z5I I hope that helps.

[@jackhouran8851]

Left out tpo roofs streak much less than edpm roofs.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Thanks for adding that point.

[@darrylm3627]

😀Good stuff, Great Tips

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Glad it was helpful Darryl. Thanks for watching!

[@granny65hummingbird21]

Weuse Thetford cleaner and wax on our camper roof. Have used on all of our campers since started crawling up and cleaning and waxing them. Then wash camper and wax. Seems to stay nice and white from year to year.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Thanks for that suggestion.

[@cliftonwilliams1125]

Do you use your product every 6 months, or do you use annually?

[@roberts.1400]

PVC seems to be a much stronger and puncture resistant roofing material. I watched a demo online and the TPO or EDPM punctured with very little force but the guy literally had a hard time pushing a Phillips head screw driver through the PVC. I tend to think it would have longevity as well, some truck camper manufactures such as Lance use the PVC membranes. What are your thoughts on the matter ??

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Yes, PVC is a great roofing material for RVs. It tends to be more expensive than either TPO or EPDM and that is probably why you don't see it in use as much. But it seems to be gaining ground though. So we may see it offered more often in the future.

[@billbabbs3871]

Can you remove the membrane the EDPM or TPO and go with the liquid rubber only?

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

I wouldn't advise it. Perhaps a call to the coating manufacturer would be in order to get their opinion on that.

[@billbabbs3871]

Just talked with Liquid Rubber and they said yes on putting the Liquid Rubber right over the primed plywood, I got there blessing to do so, FYI@@RVInspectionAndCare

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

@@billbabbs3871 That's news to me. Thanks for doing the homework about that and sharing it with us.

[@Mr.Ed_Wayner]

Can people buy roof covers that just cover the roof when they park their RV’s outside or are there just covers that cover the entire RV, top to bottom? Very informative. When you talked about the tape sealant (eternabond?) you should have flashed the name in big letters on the screen like you did the Dicor references.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Hi Edward. There are covers for RV roofs. But so far I haven't found one that I like well enough to recommend. The problem with many RV covers is making sure that they stay on the RV and don't rub the RV sidewalls in high winds and mar the finish. If anyone reads this comment and has had experience with a good RV roof cover that does not cause these issues, please let us know. I would love to find one that I can confidently recommend. Thanks for watching Edward.

[@TEXANConnection]

does the rubber roofing have plywood under it?

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

In most cases the underlayment for RV roofs is some kind of plywood material. Thanks for watching!

[@danemmerich6775]

Should I glue the wood roof and the TPO material for best practice? Or is just gluing the wood surface fine. This is for my camper.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

I'm sorry but that's a question I can't answer for you. You might try posing that question in the forums on irv2.com since there are lots of DIY RVers that hang out there.

[@professionalinspectionserv4228]

Thank you, does pvc roofs fall into the tpo category? Looking at replacing mine, will need to do it my self as the companies who do it are very expensive. Maybe more the the cost of the rv.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

PVC is a little different from TPO and many people feel that it is the best RV roofing material. It would probably be a very good choice. I hope your project goes well.

[@cjeane01]

Dwayne, I love your videos! I've been doing a lot of research on used RV's and I've noticed a few of them have said "one piece roof" (larger coaches) so I would assumed based on this video that it is an EPDM. Since it seems so hard to determine your roof, I assume manufactures don't have a standard they use? I have seen any specs that call out the type of rubber roof either. Another thing to worry about! You mentioned how long these last. Do you have an idea of how much it cost to replace for a 40 foot Coach? I'm looking at 15-20 year old Coaches and that is an expense I'm going to have to plan for unless it has already been replaced.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Yes, it seems that many RV manufacturers don't tell you what roofing material they used on your RV in the owners material. But if you give them a call and ask they will sometimes be able to give you more information about that. And replacement costs for a rubber roof on a 40 foot RV can vary considerably depending on who does it and where, but you should probably plan on spending somewhere between 10K - 15K for a quality job. BTW, I made a video on a way that you can extend the life of an RV roof considerably and it may be helpful for you to think about. You can find the video here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pF6rpH-GZ8Z1Z5I . I hope that helps.

[@bcrawford9072]

What do you think about the life time roof. I'm talking about spray on roof like a bed liner.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

If you are talking about something like FlexArmor, I have heard very good things about it. But as I said in this video, I'll be making another video on RV roof coatings in the near future. So stay tuned! :-)

[@bcrawford9072]

@@RVInspectionAndCare yes like flex armor. I'm really on the fence about this product. Can't wait for the info thanks.

[@brutherb]

Hi thanks for the video, I am going to be rebuilding my roof on my Moho this year and it’s epdm but I think I want to use tpo sounds like a better product is there any reason if I am tearing the whole roof off why I can’t replace it with tpo

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

None that I can think of. If you are replacing the entire roof, you can choose whatever material you want for the new roof. Thanks for watching!

[@makeupyourmindinator]

Are the products you recommend ones that you have used and tested on your RV?

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Yes, I have used all of the products I recommended in this video.

[@danshiel2632]

Good afternoon. I just washed my RV roof which is ATP O with dycore rubber cleaning. And I tell me that that's not a good idea is that true or false

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Dicor says that their rubber roof cleaner is safe for all RV roofs and exteriors. Just check the instructions on any product to make sure that it will work with your TPO roof.

[@user-un2dn2iw6j]

I have a class c RV and I had national company work on my roof (coated) and they said I have cracks in the front plastic or fiberglass. it looks like small cracks on the corner like a stress fracture, best way to fix, does it need drilled first before seal?

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Unfortunately, I can't really offer any help on that situation. It sounds like a problem that would be best diagnosed and repaired by a qualified RV service tech.

[@marthalogan9018]

Are the slide out roofs made of same material?

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Hi Martha. Quite often they are. But in some cases not. I know, it's frustrating but not everything makes sense on RVs.

[@danshiel2632]

Hello if I just wash do I have to put the protection on?

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Hi Dan. If you aren't putting an RV roof coating over the rubber roof on your RV, it's a good idea to apply some UV protection to make the roof last longer. It's not necessary but it sure helps.

[@youcandoitrv4198]

It would be very helpful to hear if the Dicor products you recommend for rubber roofs are safe when rinse off and run down the side of a ceramic coated RVs. I subscribed to your channel just now and hoping to find videos on how to treat ceramic coating. Also, there is a ceramic coating spray you can buy, and I’m wondering if you would advise using it to keep the ceramic coat maintained and thick.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

I am not an expert on ceramic coatings, but I do know that they are very tough and hard to damage. With that in mind, I would doubt that anything that washes off your roof could seriously harm it. I used the Dicor products on my own motorhome that does not have a ceramic coating and it all went fine. But just to be safe, my wife used a garden hose to clean the RV sides as I rinsed the roof off. As far as the other questions about whether or not to add to a ceramic coating, I don't feel that I have had enough experience in that area to comment. Thanks for watching!

[@bigmvb4840]

I'm a new owner of a vintage '74 camper trailer. Unfortunately, I don't know anything about roofs other than the one on mine is aluminum. (I don't know anything about redoing a camper at all!) I've run into a huge problem with the current sealant being silicone. I'm solo with no help to speak of so if you can help me with my question, in detail, I would so appreciate it. So far I have dry scraped, wire brushed and heat gunned the best I can given I really don't want to get on the roof. I feel like I'm spinning my wheels and this method will never see results where I can seal with Permabond and a sealer. That being said, Is there anything I can cover the silicone with that actually works? I read "nothing" will stick to it and if it's that bad, I don't want to add another layer Next question is, is it possible to cover the underlying silicone mess with a EPDM or TPO rubber roof after knocking off the brittle/clumpy silicone? Is replacing the whole roof with new aluminum even worth the thought? Sorry but I'm desperate for options!

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Those are all great questions. Unfortunately, I am not a roofing expert and I can't give you the detailed guidance that you need. So I recommend that you call Henry's customer service number at 800-486-1278 and explain your situation. They should be able to give you better guidance on this subject. There are also roof services like RV Armor that can come to you ( rv-armor.com/ ) and Flex Armor that requires you to bring the RV to them ( rvroof.com/ ). Both of these services will completely cover your roof with a material that will last an incredibly long time and eliminate any need for caulk and sealing from there forward. Talking with all of these companies can no doubt help you decide what is best for your RV. I hope that helps.

[@mxultra8995]

can you use Murphy Oil Soap to clean a tpo roof or dawn dish soap? I've heard you can but wanted to check.

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

A lot of people use various products to clean their roof. But some products can actually damage the roof depending on what kind of material it is. I personally always recommend using Dicor rubber roof cleaner and treatment. It's made for rubber roofs and is therefore much safer to use.

[@mxultra8995]

@@RVInspectionAndCare Thanks! Do you recommend a silicon coating like Henry's or Gacoroof on a TPO roof?

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

@@mxultra8995 Well, all I can say is that I used Henry's silicone TropiCool product on my EPDM roof and it worked great. And the label on the Henry bucket says that it works for TPO too.

[@mxultra8995]

@@RVInspectionAndCare great thanks! So hard to find the discrepancies on these products!

[@rev.jimwalton9383]

I really appreciate your videos but I'm having a problem determining whether my roof is EPDM or TPO...I've pulled the vents down but there is no excess material to look at. The trailer is an older (2000) Golden Falcon and the roof is showing its age....do you know of another way to determine what it is? I want to recoat it but want to use the right stuff....thanks, Jim

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

Honestly, I don't know of any other method of determining the kind of roof other than the one I shared in the video. I would suggest calling Henry and asking what they recommend in this case. I hope that helps.

[@kat4animals004]

Who can help me with a forest river trailer ?

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

I'm not sure what you are asking for.

[@paulmelhuish9213]

lets be honest , who is keeping these trailers for 20-25 years? they will just trade it in and another person will have the issue

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

There are plenty of RV owners who keep their RV for many years. But even if most RV buyers trade the RV in, someone down the line will have to deal with roof replacement at some point. When they do, it's a good idea to know what you are doing and do it right.

[@maxwolf2726]

You should tell the people what rv has what kind of roof

[@RVInspectionAndCare]

The video explains how you can find out what kind of rubber roof you have on your RV. I think that's pretty helpful.