Has anyone else lost their entire roof at one time?

[jstarkey]

The entire roof was gone in 60 seconds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DkGjAec-JU

[Riich]

I can see how this can happen. I met a fellow on the road one time who was pulling a 5th wheel and the roof membrane had opened up in the front and the whole roof was billowing up just like a parachute 2 feet above the camper. I'm sure the whole thing came off not too much further down the road. Sad sight to see, just like your video.

[F350guy]

At first I thought that's just not possible to lose it completely like that but you can see where it's torn, not cut. I would, however, think there would be some irregular pieces left somewhere instead of being torn so tight up against the roof attachments. Whoever it is I wish them good luck. I'd be looking at a Flex Armor roof instead of a new membrane. Might save some money as some of the prep work is already done.

[Grumpy]

I feel for the owner, but the rig is 4 years old. All it would take is a small section of caulking to fail and allow air under the membrane for this type of failure to start. Even a small cut by a tree branch could cause it. He should be talking to his insurance company as well. In my opinion, bad installation would have manifested itself long before this, unless the rig rarely moved. Either that, or it started and the owner never inspected the roof.

[norty1]

Sorry for your trouble. At least I don't see any evidence of water damage. If me, I would take the insurance and get a spray on roof done. I never heard of one of them getting blown off.

I have seen those rv's on the interstate with a parachute open above it also. It happens! One reason is on yours it looks like the material was only glued down around the edges and roof openings. On my 2011, the material has much more adhesive on it.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by norty1

I have seen those rv's on the interstate with a parachute open above it also. It happens! One reason is on yours it looks like the material was only glued down around the edges and roof openings. On my 2011, the material has much more adhesive on it.

That wood is awfully shiny for plain plywood near the a/c, sun's reflecting pretty good. That tells me there was glue applied to the whole roof.

[norty1]

I'm sure you are correct but its sure cleaned up nicely!

[Route 66 Traveler]

Just about every trip we've been on we'll see at least one RV....mostly 5th wheels, going the opposite direction with the roof material ballooning up behind the front cap. Guess what you don't know won't hurt you, or so the saying goes.

That prompted me to go up an do a inch by inch inspection of my roof along the front seam. I ended up using a 6 inch wide piece of Eternabond laid down across the seam. That was 5 years ago and it still looks great.

[TxLoser]

I joined the balloon club on my last big trip in August. Didn’t know about it till Amarillo(3000 mile trip). It ballooned and then cut itself up on the sheet metal at the base of the front AC unit. No cuts up front but the glue let lose between the membrane and the plywood. Low pressure over the top sucked it up. That was my theory anyway. Got a new roof, but I’ll eventually do a spray on I think.

[F350guy]

I don't think this is the OP's Pinnacle, at least he has a picture of a travel travel trailer as his avatar. I've watched the video several times and I'm having a hard time accepting it at face value. I just don't see how it could tear so precisely around all the roof attachments and seams. Some of it looks to be cut. Could be any remnants were removed before the video.

Maybe that doesn't matter as whoever owns it has an issue to deal with and I wish them well. We had the Flex Armor roof applied to ours last spring. If the owner wants a worry free, maintenance free roof I would highly recommend going that route.

[jstarkey]

Originally Posted by F350guy

I don't think this is the OP's Pinnacle, at least he has a picture of a travel travel trailer as his avatar. I've watched the video several times and I'm having a hard time accepting it at face value. I just don't see how it could tear so precisely around all the roof attachments and seams. Some of it looks to be cut. Could be any remnants were removed before the video.

Maybe that doesn't matter as whoever owns it has an issue to deal with and I wish them well. We had the Flex Armor roof applied to ours last spring. If the owner wants a worry free, maintenance free roof I would highly recommend going that route.

The trailer in my avatar was stolen 3 months ago from my office secure yard with video and lights etc. Insurance paid on it, but not enough to buy a replacement in todays prices. They ground off my hitch lock and towed it away. So ... this 5th wheel fell in my lap. I am in the middle of the transaction to make it mine, but, during transport to CA from AZ the roof was lost. Facetime on the day of transport before the trip and it was all good. The seller is the original owner and it's still in his name so he should be able to get warranty on it. Once that happens, we'll finalize the transaction and it will be mine. They are denying warranty so it's going to have to come out of pocket. We took it to a Jayco dealer (Camping world) and they initially said it had been cut and removed. Looking at some of the areas around the vents etc, it is obvious it has been torn. Jayco admitted this has been a problem on some units. Since before Covid, they have been making glue that sub par to the previous versions because of EPA standards changing. My boat interior guy says they have to wait much longer for the glue to even become tacky to work with it. I am sure that this is part of the problem. Some areas of the roof look like they were very light on glue. In any event, we just want to get this resolved so we can make some reservations and get on the road!

[jstarkey]

Originally Posted by Riich

I can see how this can happen. I met a fellow on the road one time who was pulling a 5th wheel and the roof membrane had opened up in the front and the whole roof was billowing up just like a parachute 2 feet above the camper. I'm sure the whole thing came off not too much further down the road. Sad sight to see, just like your video.

Wow, thank you for responding. You're the first person that ever said they heard of this to me. It's only 4 years old and has only been on the road about 6 - 8 times. I would not suspect this could happen.

[jstarkey]

Originally Posted by F350guy

At first I thought that's just not possible to lose it completely like that but you can see where it's torn, not cut. I would, however, think there would be some irregular pieces left somewhere instead of being torn so tight up against the roof attachments. Whoever it is I wish them good luck. I'd be looking at a Flex Armor roof instead of a new membrane. Might save some money as some of the prep work is already done.

I thought the same thing when a Jayco dealer said the same thing. I looked and saw the tears also, so I had my doubts. Then Jayco acknowledged that this has been happening on some units. I told the dealer what Jayco said and they changed their mind.

[jstarkey]

Originally Posted by norty1

Sorry for your trouble. At least I don't see any evidence of water damage. If me, I would take the insurance and get a spray on roof done. I never heard of one of them getting blown off.

I have seen those rv's on the interstate with a parachute open above it also. It happens! One reason is on yours it looks like the material was only glued down around the edges and roof openings. On my 2011, the material has much more adhesive on it.

Thanks, the roof was in great shape beforehand. It is 4 years old and has only been on the road 6-8 times. Crazy that you've actually seen that happen. I can't imagine driving and coming up on a 40ft piece of vinyl in the road. Hopefully it landed off to the side.

[jstarkey]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

That wood is awfully shiny for plain plywood near the a/c, sun's reflecting pretty good. That tells me there was glue applied to the whole roof.

You're correct. There are some areas that the glue seems way too light though. I am guessing towards the front it was not right. Dicor said the front seem is to blame. They said where they have seen several units that they leave only an inch under the seam to hold it down. They said there should be more material up front to help keep it secure.

[jstarkey]

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

Just about every trip we've been on we'll see at least one RV....mostly 5th wheels, going the opposite direction with the roof material ballooning up behind the front cap. Guess what you don't know won't hurt you, or so the saying goes.

That prompted me to go up an do a inch by inch inspection of my roof along the front seam. I ended up using a 6 inch wide piece of Eternabond laid down across the seam. That was 5 years ago and it still looks great.

I will always inspect roofs from now on. I had no idea things could get this bad. Too bad they can't use a glue that would actually tear some plywood if it were coming up. This would not have happened.

[jstarkey]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

I joined the balloon club on my last big trip in August. Didn’t know about it till Amarillo(3000 mile trip). It ballooned and then cut itself up on the sheet metal at the base of the front AC unit. No cuts up front but the glue let lose between the membrane and the plywood. Low pressure over the top sucked it up. That was my theory anyway. Got a new roof, but I’ll eventually do a spray on I think.

That sucks. Sorry that happened to you. Seems like they would find a better way to do these things. My 2012 travel trailer had a flat roof and it would get small tears on it but I had that patch putty tape roll that would keep it from getting worse. Short term fix but kept the water out.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by jstarkey

Wow, thank you for responding. You're the first person that ever said they heard of this to me. It's only 4 years old and has only been on the road about 6 - 8 times. I would not suspect this could happen.

As others have said, over the years I've seen numerous rigs going down the road with the roof raised like it had a balloon under it.

[F350guy]

My apologies. I was just trying to understand how it could be so slicked off. Like I said before if you have any input a Flex Armor roof will probably be cheaper and much better. If a warranty is possible you may not have any choice. Maybe an insurance claim?

[jstarkey]

Originally Posted by F350guy

My apologies. I was just trying to understand how it could be so slicked off. Like I said before if you have any input a Flex Armor roof will probably be cheaper and much better. If a warranty is possible you may not have any choice. Maybe an insurance claim?

No worries, I know what you mean. I didn't believe it until Jayco admitted that it happens and I could see some was torn even if some were so straight that it looked like a precision cut. I have a line on getting it fixed with a great deal, so I'm just going to get it done before it starts raining since it won't fit inside my storage unit as it's too tall.

No insurance during transport. It rarely saw the road. It was parked next to the original owners house.