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Topic: Roof caulking (Read 823 times) previous topic - next topic

Roof caulking

I'm having my coach washed and they are telling us that the vents on the roof need caulked and that it seems to appear that they have never been caulked.
1.) Is it possible that these have never been caulked and/or do Foretravels need them to be caulked.
Need answers ASAP please...they are preparing to work on it.
Rick & MJ Berry
1998 U320 40'
Ohio

Re: Roof caulking

Reply #1 –
Quote from: 18360 –
I'm having my coach washed and they are telling us that the vents on the roof need caulked and that it seems to appear that they have never been caulked.
1.) Is it possible that these have never been caulked and/or do Foretravels need them to be caulked.
Need answers ASAP please...they are preparing to work on it.
Lots of posts on different products for caulking around the vents etc. I use Dicor.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Roof caulking

Reply #2 –
While it IS likely that 20+ year old caulking could stand to be redone, if you have experienced no leaks, it is not an emergency situation.

Caulking from the factory was very well done-- mostly UNDER roof attachments, so not as visible as slapping caulk on top of things.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Roof caulking

Reply #3 –

Lots of choices for sealant.  I like 3M 4000 UV, tough but removable, sets up quickly somit doesnkt attract dirt.  It seems to stay cleaner looking over time as well.
Amazon.com: 3M 06580 Marine Adhesive/Sealant Fast Cure 4000 UV, White / 1/10...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Roof caulking

Reply #4 –
On our coach, Foretravel primarily used butyl tape to seal the roof penetrations. For instance, when I replaced the refrigerator roof vent, there was no sign of leaks and there was no caulking to clean up, just squeezed out butyl tape around the perimeter. When reinstalling the fridge vent, MaxVent fan, and new plumbing vents I followed suite. The downside, if it is one, is that the butyl tape will keep squeezing out and look untidy. However, a plastic scraper can clean it up pretty easily. Sometime later, it will reappear... eventually all that wants to come out will come out. Of course, there are places like the end cap trim that need caulking. I am putting in the new clearance lights with only the butyl tape for sealing. The advantage of this technique is that they can be easily replaced with no caulking to remove. Just my two cents.
Don
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Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Roof caulking

Reply #5 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
While it IS likely that 20+ year old caulking could stand to be redone, if you have experienced no leaks, it is not an emergency situation.
Caulking from the factory was very well done-- mostly UNDER roof attachments, so not as visible as slapping caulk on top of things.
Brett has put it in a nice way. Slapping caulk on top of things leads to cracking, leads to more caulk, more cracking. The cracks allow water to seep under and then you have to caulk in a larger area to make sure it won't leak. Terrible to remove is an understatement. I like Don's method.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Roof caulking

Reply #6 –
Do you have a leak NOW?
With in reason,  I subscribe to the
  "If it ain't broke,  don't fix it" theory
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Roof caulking

Reply #7 –
Rick, do you have vent covers or just the vent with raisable lid?  If you have vent covers they are usually not caulked.
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Roof caulking

Reply #8 –
Well I just had them caulk everything. We had torrential rain here in Northeast Ohio with no leaks. But they recommend it so I had them do it.

I'm going to pick it up today.
I will go up and inspect it.
Thanks for the input.
Rick & MJ Berry
1998 U320 40'
Ohio

Re: Roof caulking

Reply #9 –
Quote
it seems to appear that they have never been caulked.

I've seen quite a few Foretravel roofs and never came across one without proper caulking.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Roof caulking

Reply #10 –
+1 for butly tape for sealing with some clear sealant over the screws and edges. I used
Geocel 28100V Pro Flex Crystal Clear RV Flexible Sealant - 10 oz. Available on Amazon.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Roof caulking

Reply #11 –
Guess the op doesn't need any now but like Bob says, Geocel is some "space age" stuff.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Roof caulking

Reply #12 –
I once had a water leak dripping from the map light above the driver's seat.  FT pressurized the interior and sprayed a soap solution around all the roof penetrations until they found a split in some caulking half way down the coach from the leak.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R