ricamiller
Sausalito
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Joined: 01/26/2017
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Hi there,
I just bought a 2006 Hallmark Ute. The previous owner claimed the roof didn't leak, but it does.
There is a crack between the aluminum edge framing and the roof which seems to be where the water is coming in. The crack extends around the entire roof it leaks only in the back.
The rest of the roof seems to be in fine shape although it is penetrated and caulk in multiple places for the roof rack and solar panels.
Should I caulk the crack? I temporarily put some duct tape on it and it slows but doesn't eliminate the leak. If so, what is the right caulk?
I emailed Hallmark and they suggested replacing the entire roof which I don't want to do if I can fix this one.
Thanks,
Ric
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Geewizard
WA
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Joined: 08/25/2004
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My 2004 Outfitter has the same exact design and problem.
I recaulked the seam between the aluminum and rubber roof with Dicor and it's fixed. I used a scraper to open up the seam slightly and then pushed Dicor into the seam with my finger to pack it it.
Dicor is what Outfitter recommended and is available at Camping World, Amazon, etc.
Hope this helps.
* This post was
edited 01/26/17 12:14pm by Geewizard *
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ricamiller
Sausalito
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Hi there,
Thank you for your response. I'll give the Dicor a try.
I also saw an article in Truck Camper Magazine that said Sikaflex 715 was good although Dicor was less expensive.
Do you have an opinion on the effectiveness of one vs. the other?
On the off chance that you may have an opinion on another leak point, does your Outfitter leak around the seams around the soft sided pop up part around the stitching of the flexible windows/covers?
The Hallmark Ute has Velcro closing flexible plastic windows and covers. The needle they used was pretty big resulting in weep holes where the sewing is. We noticed that these weep overnight with water drops that cause the top of the mattress to get a bit damp.
My girlfriend went to Home Depot and got a spray can of Rustoleum LeakSeal Flexible Rubber Coating.
http://www.rustoleum.com/about-rust-oleum/rustoleum-press-room/rust-oleum-news/rust-oleum-leakseal-flexible-rubber-coating-stops-leaks-instantly/
I'd like to coat the flexible camper wall stitching seams with something but am unsure if there is a recommended product.
Thanks,
Ric
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towpro
Compass PA
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Joined: 02/08/2011
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first, are you sure its TPO or is it EPDM?
EPDM is the older product we know as rubber roof.
Dicore EPDM lap sealant that comes in the caulk tube works great for this application.
TPO is newer to the RV world, and to me looks sort of like vinyl.
Dicor makes a solution for this, but you also need a 2 part system.
Docor Website
but you need to go Amazon, or an RV store. nothing from a home store will work on your roof.
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Buzzcut1
Norcal
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I had the entire passenger side torn by a tree branch. First I cleaned the area with denatured alcohol. Then I laid Eternabond tape over the edge tear in one long strip ( two inches on the top and two inches on the side)front to back of the roof. I then used non self leveling dicor to cover the edge of the tape/ roof interface. In three winters I have had no leakage from the repair.
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whazoo
Idahome
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Joined: 10/12/2007
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The needle holes are easily filled with a seam sealer like for tents. I would highly recommend to do that. Also, the seam between the roof material and metal trim can be exacerbated by tightening the adjustable roof "brackets". I.E. with the top down and brackets adjusted tight to open the seam, then I would caulk and let dry. That way when traveling and closing the brackets, you're not recreating that same crack and over-stretching the caulk.
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ricamiller
Sausalito
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Hi there,
Thank you for your replies!
I have the original price sheet when it was sold in 2006.
It says "Dicor Fleece Backed Rubber Roof".
Would that mean it is EDPM? I'm not sure where I got the word "TPM".
If it is id EDPM sounds like I would use the Dicor EPDM lap sealant in a caulk tube, right?
Hallmark actually resold this camper to the person I bought it from about a year ago. I have the last sellers paper work from Hallmark and it doesn't say anything about the roof other than to check the sealant twice a year.
I emailed Hallmark a couple of weeks ago to ask them if they had any notes on the roof. They said no, and that if it was 10-15 years old it probably needed to be replaced.
The roof is smooth and clean on top. It is just a crack where the roof meets the metal on the sides and back that seem to be a problem.
I would think that just caulk and not a roof replacement would be needed.
Photos:
http://floatinghome.com/fh/photos/img_1950.jpg
http://floatinghome.com/fh/photos/img_1961.jpg
http://floatinghome.com/fh/photos/img_1949.jpg
Thanks,
Ric
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Geewizard
WA
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Joined: 08/25/2004
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ricamiller wrote:Hi there,
Thank you for your response. I'll give the Dicor a try.
I also saw an article in Truck Camper Magazine that said Sikaflex 715 was good although Dicor was less expensive.
Do you have an opinion on the effectiveness of one vs. the other?
On the off chance that you may have an opinion on another leak point, does your Outfitter leak around the seams around the soft sided pop up part around the stitching of the flexible windows/covers?
The Hallmark Ute has Velcro closing flexible plastic windows and covers. The needle they used was pretty big resulting in weep holes where the sewing is. We noticed that these weep overnight with water drops that cause the top of the mattress to get a bit damp.
My girlfriend went to Home Depot and got a spray can of Rustoleum LeakSeal Flexible Rubber Coating.
http://www.rustoleum.com/about-rust-oleum/rustoleum-press-room/rust-oleum-news/rust-oleum-leakseal-flexible-rubber-coating-stops-leaks-instantly/
I'd like to coat the flexible camper wall stitching seams with something but am unsure if there is a recommended product.
Thanks,
Ric
I've only used Dicor so no experience with anything else.
Yes, the Outfitter windows and velcro are nearly identical as your Ute.
As Whazoo said, use some tent seam sealer on those big stitching holes and you will weep no more.
If it was me, I'd sure try caulking things before I bit the bullet for a new roof. ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/eek.gif "eek")
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ricamiller
Sausalito
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Hi Whazoo,
Thanks for the recommendation on the seam sealer for the stitching holes.
re: the roof brackets opening the crack, do you think I should overtighten, caulk, let it dry, then back them off to make sure the caulk gets into the crack?
Thanks,
Ric
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Geewizard
WA
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Joined: 08/25/2004
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