[Drk48]

I have 1968 Shasta Camper thats still in pretty good shape an we use it for vacations an going to the lakes, My problem is it has developed some water leaks when it rains and I need some idea's on what a good sealer would be to seal the seams with, I know I'm not the only one who has had this problem,lol, Any help welcome!!!

 

[Dano]

I have a 1978 camper that sits on my lake lot. Been sitting there for I guess 12 years.
Pulled it home one time to fix everything up and back at the lake.
I had leaks in the roof. I can't remember the name of the stuff but it is some kind of silver flake trailer house metal roof repair. Its thick but can be applied with a paint brush are roller. I uses a throw away roller. I just rolled it on and it soaks into all the holes and cracks, dries to a kind of flex stage. Works great. Did that 5 years ago.
My top ac went out and started leaking. I doubled up on that stuff around the edges and covered it with a small tarp. No problems. On the seams running down the side of camper, I just used silicone. I got everything I needed at Wal mart.

A friend of mine had roof ac leak and he just pulled it out, covered with plywood and used the same stuff I used. worked for him.

Maybe someone else will come up with something better.

 

[Cyclops01]

You might try 100% pure silicone caulk. You can get it in white or clear, small tube or caulk gun sized.

 

[armynavy]

I just had to do that to my grandmothers camper what i used was unfibered roofing coating from the local lumber yard cost 4.99 a gallon and then went over it with cool white polymer paint from true value at 21.00 a gallon now it dont leak no more. Or there is one called snow seal that does the same thing.

 

[jtrew]

Mobile home roof paint. It looks like thick, chunky, silver paint. Don't try to spread it thin. I used it on my old motor home to fix a leaky roof, and I've also used it on a pickup camper.

 

[Mark J]

It's called kool seal. It can be found at lowes or home depot.

 

[bud1110]

Danny,

Did ya get that leak fixed yet, and if so, what did you end up using to fix it with?

 

[roofermike]

What is wrong with you people? Using non-fibered roof coating? 100% silicone? Some silver crap that Walmart sells? Kool seal?

You fellas just threw good money in the toilet. Sure some of that stuff will fix your leak, but if you ever want a professional to fix your problem it will cost you twice as much to remove that crap and do the job right.

Next time you have a question about roof leaks PM me PLEASE.... Save your self some money and get some results that will make you happy.

 

[Drk48]

No Bud I haven't had a chance to work on it yet, Been real busy lately!


Okay roofermike, I heard the other Guy's Idea's on fix'en my camper leak, Now what's yours ? You said to ask, So I'm asking again!
Whats good for sealing a camper top leaks,lol.

 

[Dano]

I would like to hear the best fix myself. I used what I used cause my camper is too old to put a lot of money in it and the stuff works good for me.
But I have a friend who is needing to stop a few leaks on his camper and was getting ready to do what I did.. What is the best fix for a camper roof and seams beside pulling it to shop to completely re due.

 

[roofermike]

Give me your adress and I will give you a proposal on a new roof.


Actually Kool seal is a good idea. I personally woud stay away from any tar based products.

 

[roofermike]

Sorry I didn't get more in depth. Here is a little more depth.

First thing is identify what is leaking. It could be many things but typically it is going to falling one of two categories.
1.Seams: this includes all seams and around any penetration in the roof surface.
2.Holes or mechanical damage.

The fixes for the first one are the same and depending on how much you want to spend you could either buy a good quality eurethane caulk(please NEVER us silicone) or you could choose to "strip in" the seams with either a good quality coating and some fabric tape. The use of a good quality butyl tape is also acceptable. If you choose to use coatings you must prep the sruface first.

As for holes and mechanical damage. Any holes large than 1/2" in diameter should be patched with the same material the trailer is built with ie tin use tin, aluminum use aluminum. The mixing of aluminum and galavinized metal can cause electrolisis with causes premature oxidation of the galvanized metal. Any small holes (less than 1/2")can be patched with caulking(once again I stress the use of a good quality eurethane chaulk) ATTENTION: Before caulking any surface make sure the surface is dry and clean of oil and or debris.
Now if you are thinking about completely resurfacing the roof with a good quality coating here are a few tips. First clean the roof, A solution of muratic acid and water can be used to etch the metal to recieve the coating, regardless you must powerwash the roof using a powerwasher that reaches at least 3000 psi. You need to remove all surface grim and any oxidation, that is why a recommend a low concentrated acid solution.

If you wanna turn your camper into a complete piece of crap here are some tips:
1.Smear black roofing cement all over the top, heck noone will ever see it.
2.Smear silicone caulking all over the top, that way nothing else will ever stick to it, including most quality roof coatings.
3.Pour fibred aluminum roof coating all over it that ways it won't rust(ya right)
4.put a blue FEMA tarp over it, this is a sure fire way to turn that camper into a POS. Make sure that you use bailing twine to tie it off.

 

[quadman]

Wow! Thanks for that post! Atleast now I know who NOT to ask for advice! I'd say you should try to be a bit more rude but I don't think it's possible!

 

[roofermike]

I don't think I was being rude. If you have gone up on the roofs and have seen what I have seen you would feel the same way I do about amature roofing. If you had to clean some weekend warrirors mess you would feel the way that I feel. I was giving honest advice about the best way to fix this gentlemans roof, and what to do if you want to screw up a roof. I am sorry but I live in a world where I am honest with people.

 

[Drk48]

Well not sure what I'm going to do yet, Like I said it's a 1968 model trailer and I'm not going to sink a lot of money into a old trailer, But thanks for the idea's.

 

[bud1110]

Danny,


If it belonged to me, I would use a very heavy coat of the Kool seal and be done with it. Go heavy down the seams and you should be fine..

Good luck buddy...

 

[Drk48]

Bud That sounds like a good idea, Still have plenty of time before Keystone. And who know's I may take Scotty's offer he made on it, Haven't decided yet, But I will before Keystone gathering get's here,lol,lol.

 

[TOPS]

DRK, use the cool seal, do not put alot of work in an older unit.

 

[Dano]

Thats the same thing I keep telling my Doctors. I'm an old unit so do put a lot of work in me, ( Money ). LOL.

Good luck with your camper.

 

[Drk48]

Verlon & Dano Thanks, I beleave I will go with the cool seal, It is a older camper but it serves it's purpose an still has alot of life left in it yet.