The Next Steps in Stabilizing this Winnebago Roof

This is part 2 of the 1998 Winnebago Chieftain roof replacement. Previously, I showed the setup and tear down, and in this video I begin the repairs to prep for relamination and I need to fix the broken polystyrene that makes the bulk of the roof. I did try to jump through the lamination process as I have many videos showing the process.
Note: Please try to be kind to the owner in the comments. Many owners find themselves in very similar situations with RVs and while it's easy to say trash the RV, it's difficult when its your RV to walk away from your investment.
You can get the roofing materials from:
all-rite.com
Thanks for watching!

[@dennissprague5172]

I've seen James, (and Chad) resurrect a few of these roofs and it amazes me every time. Hard work, dedication and A Lot of Know-How.

[@peckerpeter2078]

Excellent job at least the roof won’t leak a lot better than factory did. They can add supports on the inside or just live with it anything 20 years old needs a remodel anyway..

[@lorrieleaver2447]

The question is are they being properly remunerated for the amount of work involved? Better still have an inspection before you buy any RV especially the Winnebagos of ill repute.

[@ImpalamansGarage]

Man that coach had one leg in the grave but you saved it. Excellent work sir.

[@bounderchris]

I think it still has that foot in the grave the walls are all rotten and the ceiling is disgusting.. it’s shot… why someone would spend the money to put a roof on that rig and why someone would even agree to put a roof on that is beyond me

[@sissinoklahoma2057]

So sorry you were buffaloed! You certainly know how to make the best of a horrible situation, obviously! Great and admirable work, as usual! Thanks for the journey! We learn so much! While it's a hardship on your time, just think of all of the RV consumers who are forewarned by these roof "repair" (rebuilding) examples!!

[@rbnhood39]

James you did one hell of a job on the roof. It’s probably better now than it was when new.

[@Rock-bf2ee]

You are truly an expert. Very professional, knowledgeable and concientios. Anyone would be lucky to have you in their corner when doing a complex repair.

[@cullenmiller8170]

Nice video and good progress. I hope the customer realizes that there will be some extra cost involved since they didn’t disclose all the damage. You definitely have to have a disclaimer in your bid to cover unforeseen circumstances.

[@daveinvictoriavirginia7959]

I wonder how many of your customers realize the amount of attention you put in their unit, and how much more durable and serviceable it is. You are the talk of the town in this industry, and should be proud of you integrity.

[@ericdownunder1957]

Hopefully Winnebago is watching and learn something. Nice job, as usual.

[@HVASEA]

With such a known name like Winebago ..you would think they would build their rigs so much better. If they were to use the supports like the ones you made every 24" or so... That roof would be solid as a rock. Nice job on those supports... Excellent craftsmanship. !!

[@terrybrennan4978]

Nice job James. Great work. That roof was just a disaster and you brought it back better than Winnebago.

[@batillipes]

I had to rebuild a 2000 27' Georgie Boy roof about this bad last year. I watched every single AZ Expert video I could find. It took 10 full days to do the work by myself. I used PVC instead of rubber. it came out well. I'm still finishing up the interior which had to be largely redone due to water damage. of course it runs very well. my first RV rehab, hope to finish it in May.

[@Lasertrac]

Hope you have before and after pictures and are willing to share them.

[@NoelBarlau]

You're a miracle worker, James. This RV would be in the scrapyard if it weren't for your efforts.

[@rdrose61]

Great job again James... The ribs I think are a necessity. I don't envy the persons completing the interior work ☹

[@3sons66]

Winnebago should hire you. Your design work (truss system) on these roofs is light years ahead of anything they had.

[@terry3193]

A very interesting and informative video. I’m still not sure of why someone would spend, what I’m guessing is $10K-$20K for a new roof and ceiling on a ‘98 Winnebago that is maybe worth $10K at most? As usual, you do amazing work and make it look easy. Love your channel and take care!

[@donkisler3538]

I also wondered how this could be possibly worth it for a substandard quality motorhome to start with?

[@mikerosenberger1631]

Exactly my thought

[@roberthennel]

Agree, the educational value of this rebuild is incredible, but is there even a trace of economic feasibility in this project? For the amount of work and craftsmanship, the amount must be stellar

[@threeftr3349]

We had a new roof, put on our 35 foot fifth wheel 2 years ago just because it had 2 very small long scratches down the middle of the roof from a branch. No holes at all, no rot, no other issues a heartland 2013, and the insurance company paid a little over 12K. This I am sure this is north of 20K with all that fabrication and labor hours--I say 23-25k

[@mikerosenberger1631]

@@threeftr3349 I redecked my roof, replaced all roof vents, parts etc with the best I could get and I think I spent like $2500 and that was after I applied a new rubber roof incorrectly (glue dried to quick) and replaced with another PVC membrane. That was before pandemic...now it would probably be 4-5k

[@lorrieleaver2447]

James I honestly believe you should have a trophy 🏆 for doing this work as well as a very handsome payment 💰💰💰👏

[@dadedubbledee]

Fantastic job James, they say you can't polish a turd but you just put a shine on that one.

[@victorharris5745]

I did not think that roof could've been saved...impressive job especially the alumni or steel strap supports..

[@demadre]

Wow! Amazing! I’m impressed as to how nice it turned out considering the mess you started with. Looking forward to the finished job.

[@CarlLoop]

Wow, what a job and what craftsmanship! Great work!

[@71stMastiff]

I’m just really glad you don’t take short cuts; because I’m very weary of this RV industry now and repairs.

[@rickl6697]

James, you brought that one back from the dead. Excellent job, he is so fortunate to be able to get you to fix that RV for him.

[@tomgagne4575]

Amazing job James, you’re a master technician/craftsman. I enjoy your videos and am shocked at the quality of the Winnebago roof structure.

[@markmonroe7330]

Really nice looking work. Amazed that it came out that nice. Thanks for sharing.

[@alancall5113]

Everyone should watch this video. They would never buy a camper or RV Lightweight construction. great video

[@dannyduncan3181]

Looking at the mess that rig was in I probably wouldn't think it was worth saving, very scary. What an amazing job you did resurrecting that roof. Very impressed with the outcome.

[@wonderingBadger]

Amazing job restoring that roof!

[@MrMrWrench]

Your integrity is impressive. Great toi see a fine craftsman.

[@michelmichael8957]

James your the best. Whoa. Thank you also for taking time to make an edit these videos. I am very grateful to you. I have a Winnebago and follow your advice on keeping it long lasting.

[@gavinkeller183]

I’d say every camper needs the bracing under the ac. Great job James

[@user-zt2he6rw6d]

Another great job, James, Love your attention to details.

[@jg6142]

Nice workmanship!

[@pizzabw]

I really enjoy watching a real craftsman work. You do a great job and I appreciate watching you and youvideovideo and this. 👍🥵

[@markdemedeiros3239]

Absolutely amazing transformation......nicely done James.

[@RobertStevensService]

I honestly don't know how you can keep fixing this garbage one after another. Patients of a Saint 😮

[@kevinkier6790]

I have watched many of your videos and I'm always impressed by your work. I would never purchase an RV because of the poor workmanship. I'd buy a bus and convert it, simply because of the roof structure. Thanks for doing what you do!🤠

[@proudtexan5513]

Great professional QUALITY JOB!!!

[@wayneroyal3137]

Fascinating work. You make quick work using the specialized tools. Awesome work making the roof right.

[@robertburgess6100]

Nice work, James. I think most techs would have said he'll no!

[@badgerpa9]

I hope they invest in some damp out or mold stop spray and get up in those corners and ceiling. You are a true craftsman and pulled that thing out of the grave. I admit I pissed people off but I always quoted Time and Material until I could look at a site and a scope of the work we had to do was done. Any extra repairs or things they forgot to tell me would be a job change order and extra cost. Some would get mad but I had right on the contract by the signature that if they did not approve a JCO the job would stop as it was and I would bill time and material to that point and that would be the completion of the job for me. If you cannot see it you cannot bid a price on it. Something like that (I did not do that kind of work) I would have bid as T&M and documented in writing to them it would be about $10,000 to 15,000 (or what I guessed it could be) but depending on opening the roof and inspection it could be more. You are a kind person with empathy and I respect that. They will probably now get to enjoy that box for a while until they realize it will mold and they should have been honest to you up front. I hope you and family are staying safe and healthy Sir.

[@sailorjohnboy2325]

Zoinks! Looks like the Mildew Machine is coming together!

[@harrywalsh791]

These kind of unseen damage jobs are horrible sometimes, you're truly a professional with strong ethics. What did you charge or how much more should you have charged? I'd be interested to know a price range for a roof repair/replacement if I purchase an RV that needs it.

[@JeffinTD]

Outstanding work, as always. I’m still kind of baffled about the job, though. To my eye just the materials for the roof I’m sure cost more than I’d be willing to pay for the whole rv.

[@johnswan9123]

Truly amazing diagnosis and work methods.

[@imkwuzn]

James, you are a true professional and I certainly hope the customer understands just how much extra work this was and compensates you fairly. It baffles me that anyone would purchase this RV knowing how much damage was already done. I have no idea what the estimate was but my parents had to replace the roof on their ‘94 Pace Arrow many years ago and it was over 5k then. This has to be significantly more than that.

[@jimmcfadden9865]

Incredible work! Great techniques. Thanks for sharing. I’m watching my 2017 Winnebago Vista 29VE like a hawk, based on your videos. so far, so good! It occurs to me that perhaps you should be paid in advance! Not sure how the roof replacement on a ‘99 could be cost effective but not my call👍🏼

[@stanr3491]

I’ve been wondering what that popping noise was in your previous video and now I see in the reflection of the windshield you have a pickle ball court next door. Lol I’ve been thinking what in the world are they doing on the rig next to you 😂😂😂

[@markfoss4402]

That’s awesome and a very stand up way to take care of them, I hope they compensated you for the extra work

[@divadyrdnal]

I’ve seen it on many of your videos, and I still struggle to believe there is so little to no roof structure, just foam and super thin “plywood” and a few of those sheet metal strips in those roofs! When I see Winnebagos I just smile and think of these videos!

[@coreymerritt7742]

Super nice job James 👍

[@marcrab]

You're a very talented technician.👍✌️

[@SierraOne]

Saved it! Lot's of work Never will be done by AI or robots, fer sure!

[@SaltyVetAdventures]

When it comes time for us to buy a Class A I want you to come inspect it!

[@AZExpert]

Thank you!

[@a3a21971]

Your awesome!… also loved the pickle ball noisemakers too!

[@papabapyro8169]

That’s one hell of a big job. Thanks for sharing

[@gereshomeE]

Good ethical workmanship! ☺

[@philw7174]

Wow. Terrific James. Happy trails!

[@rich2034]

Another great job James!

[@orangecrocks]

James you are a wizard, the amount of hard work and determination always blows me away. When i first saw the other video my initial thought was is it worth saving, wow. Curious how many hours you had into that repair?

[@atomasze]

Impressive turn around!

[@clarencewiles963]

You should be proud of your work I am. Thumbs up 👍

[@AZExpert]

Thank you very much!

[@rosstaylor3927]

It’s crazy how cheaply these are made. It’s essentially a gas powered styrofoam cooler. 6-8 inch of styrofoam with 1/8 in of plywood. I have a 2006 view. I’m a big guy and if I need on my roof I get nervous. The view has 1/16” of fiber glass. It’s crazy there’s insurance company’s that insure these.

[@jonnyrockets4756]

You are an amazing tech , well done , enjoy your videos.

[@rstspecos]

I just can’t believe that Winnebago thinks their engineered roof would last they way they are built. Only if they put those tubings across every so often, that would be so sturdy. Good work!

[@DLWertz]

I always enjoy watching your videos. The soldering iron foam cutting blew my mind 😂

[@KevinCoop1]

No comment James, you said it all.

[@TimNadaud]

Great work. Thanks for the video.

[@timkaskes4312]

Very satisfying to watch you work.

[@gtibbot]

James is a true Craftsman!

[@riseup3117]

great video as always

[@webbharding53]

You do great work.

[@fmerkl]

James, I think your doing a fantastic Job ! Keep up the great work and Videos !

[@MattLesak]

Bravo James!!

[@YallAintRight]

I’ve been waiting to see the miracle.

[@bengorrell2658]

Thank you James, glad I don't have Winnebago, I live in my trancend and worry about the rubber roof, 2 years old and ok so far, I bet you get tired of replacing rv roofs

[@Tony_in_AZ]

You fixed it up purty good for what you started with James.. waiting for video 3 on the final product?

[@AZExpert]

Thank you, there should definitely be one more....once I check the footage I have. :)

[@FrankBullitt390]

Awesome video, cant wait to see finished product

[@SkiddingF350]

Wow, great job!!!!

[@AZExpert]

Thank you so much 😀

[@chrisbengford812]

The W Company should feel great shame. Great work! You care more about what your name & reputation than the W Company.

[@6582rg]

The roof master. Great job sir.

[@icare7151]

The Ultimate Winnie Moldy!

[@lorrieleaver2447]

I can’t believe someone actually paid money for this RV 😮 After having seen a couple + of your Winnebago roof failures I personally wouldn’t touch the brand. It’s an utter disgrace how they build their motorhomes and I suspect lives have been lost in their travels. Is there such a thing as an overseer of motorhomes for standards and quality? If there’s such an organisation I think they should see just how bad @Winnebago is and it’s very limited life expectancy. I think you are amazing for taking on such a job and I hope your customer pays you well 💰💫

[@borderprepper]

Nice work as always. Winnie should be paying you to design a roof that works and lasts...

[@johnschmehl668]

You are doing great work 👍

[@michaelleclair6098]

Hi James love your stuff. 06 Monaco diplomat 40 dst. 400 Cummins didn’t I understand you said navistar bought them out 06 is probably still ok

[@MililaniJag]

WOW! What a Nightmare!!!! That's your Good Deed of the Decade!!!

[@jackbrown9182]

You do really good work !

[@preamble466]

Hey James, I bet doing this roof was one of those rare moments that you wished you were over there playing pickle ball instead ;)

[@Julian-do7bv]

It wouldnt have been a bad job really if it wasnt for all the crap repairs it had in the past I am really curious how much this repair ended up costing the customer but I think you done the best job possible

[@icare7151]

James, please consider wearing N95 mask to protect your lungs from deadly black mold. The entire interior liner and other items that have mold growth should be removed and replaced. As Winnebago’s AC ducks are not cleanable, just cut into the foam, if I owned this RV I would have replaced the entire roof at the Winnebago factory. However the cost would likely exceed the value of the RV. Bottom line, it’s not worth the health risk trying to save this RV no matter the purchase cost unless the entire roofing system was replaced and all interior items that have mold be removed and replaced. Likely only the chassis and interior metal items don’t have mold issues.

[@rickey9346]

Great job

[@TinyHouseHomestead]

FREAKIN AWESOME MAN! 😱😝🤪🤣😁👍👍🇺🇲

[@AskRemy]

You are very good at what you do - I'd apprentice with you in trade for experience - wish I was younger

[@DoRC]

The problem I see with this is that these types of composite structures depend on the strength of the material on both sides of the filler for the composites ultimate strength. If the wood on the inside is gone / rotten then it really isn't going to matter how strong you make the skin on the outside it's still going to be a lot weaker than it was originally.

[@patricksquires77]

Nice new avatar. Will miss the dogo but looks good!

[@stana2z]

Would there be any advantage to replacing the roof with an Aluminium roof? I know it would be more costly, and possibly heavier (all that waterlogged material is adding weight as well. I LOVE watching these repair videos, even though they tend to scare the 💩 out of me sometimes!

[@AZExpert]

Aluminum is pretty difficult to laminate with, but I'd guess it's possible if you can find wide enough rolls of sheet

[@scottxd45]

@@AZExpert my 94 Minnie Winnie motorhome has aluminum sheet metal roof. No idea if it came factory that way.

[@glennandpamlang190]

James, Another incredible transformation! You are the gold standard for roof replacement. Always memorized by your videos. I continue to learn from and be entertained by your well put together videos. Thank you.

[@slamboy66]

Just make it a convertible RV.

[@joegeorgia8989]

It's not a design flaw it's a feature lol

[@slamboy66]

@@joegeorgia8989 YUP

[@LayloNewt]

Thanks for another very informative video. Is it feasible to have this repair on a 24 year old production line coach

[@Fix-it-tony]

Sad this owner wasn’t honest about how bad this rig was. Truly a junkyard piece

[@hillbillyrv]

Did you give an estimate or a quote on this job. I really hope it was an estimate, so you could adjust for all the extra work that went into this repair.

[@AZExpert]

it was a blind estimate, I did work with the owner to understand the needed repairs.