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Old 01-01-2020, 10:43 PM   #21
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roof trusses

We have a 2016 3990 Epic . It was purchased in Pa, but was delivered and made ready in NY. The dealer in NY found the roof rafters were cracked, and it was known to be a defect by Dutchman. The complete roof material and the damaged rafters were replaced under warranty by Keystone.
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Old 01-02-2020, 02:38 AM   #22
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I think I might be fighting an uphill battle trying to get warranty coverage after 9 years. Besides, the soft spot is between the roof rafters.

Having said that, the whole roof is pretty springy. It could have broken rafters. I won't stand on it; that's why I send DW up there for cleaning.
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Old 01-02-2020, 01:32 PM   #23
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Originally Posted by joebedford View Post
I contacted Alpha and asked them to comment on the appearance of my roof. Here is their reply:

"This is a normal look for an Alpha EPDM rubber roof. The top, white layer starts to crack and chalk away revealing the black, bottom layer. We have a two-part roof recoating system to make the roof like new again; it is a primer and a top-coat. I have attached instructions for the roof recoating system and it can be purchased through Camping World. The brand name is the Alpha SuperFlex Rubber Roof Coating and the Alpha SuperFlex All-In-One Adhesive & Primer. "
That's all well and good, but you'll still need to peal it back and replace the roof sheeting. I had to do my right rear corner several years ago. Caught it on a campground limb and tore a small hole. Now I need to do the other back corner at the ladder mount. I think water got under where factory di not seal properly around ladder mounts. The panel is gone in that whole corner. I used it all summer that way with no leaks. I no longer use the ladder (bought a free standing collapsible one). This spring I'll peal back and repair the corner and will do a full roof recoat. I'm under a full shed roof for the winter so I'll be OK until then. When I do the next repair I will replace the a full sheet across the entire unit and do away with the 45º seam I put in on the last fix.

Attached photos are what I found and did. They may help you.
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Old 01-02-2020, 02:39 PM   #24
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Thanks for the photos. IN the third one, is that brown horizontal the top of the inner ceiling?

Was the roof TPO or EPDM and was it glued down?
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Old 01-02-2020, 08:24 PM   #25
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Originally Posted by joebedford View Post
Thanks for the photos. IN the third one, is that brown horizontal the top of the inner ceiling?

Was the roof TPO or EPDM and was it glued down?
I thought the roof was EDPM. Not sure what TPO is. It was glued down but pealed up fairly easy, although slow. I reglued it with EDPM cement. Been holding fine for about 5 years now.
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Old 01-02-2020, 08:40 PM   #26
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Just found this on another site. Based on the last sentence my roof is TPO.

At any rate, the easiest "test" to determine if your roof is EPDM or TPO is to remove a roof vent shroud on the INSIDE of your RV. You'll find the roofing membrane has been cut and folded back against the vent opening. If the roofing membrane is black with a "colored surface" then it is EPDM. If there is a felt backing that obscures the base membrane, it's TPO,

If the roofing membrane is a solid color (same color on top and bottom) then it is a TPO roofing product.
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Old 01-03-2020, 02:06 PM   #27
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Here is a extreme closeup of a tiny corner that was folded over into my bathroom vent. The white side feels like smooth plastic and the black side is slightly sticky rubber.

I'm guessing this is EPDM.

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Old 01-04-2020, 09:00 PM   #28
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Revere: My 2002 Dutchman sport has epdm rubber roof. I am not sure if all did though.
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Old 01-06-2020, 07:19 PM   #29
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I haven't opened the roof yet.

I noticed that the puck light right below the soft area was not working. Immediately thought that water had gotten into it but I pulled it out and it was all dry including the fiberglass insulation as far as I could reach.

I'm still going to repair the decking but now I'm wondering if a branch did the damage to the roof and a/c shroud. We'll see.
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Old 01-12-2020, 07:51 PM   #30
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EPDM is stretchy TPO is stiffer and not as stretchy.

Aaron
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Old 01-12-2020, 10:02 PM   #31
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EPDM is stretchy TPO is stiffer and not as stretchy.

Aaron
The little 1" piece I cut can easily be stretched 1/4" = EPDM
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