Complete roof repair

wolfster101 · Jul 21, 2016

Hello all,
I am new here and to campers in general. Have been a tent camper for over 40 years and finally decided to give the wife a nicer place to stay when the snow falls.

Anyway, we recently purchased a 2007 Hi-Lo Classic 25C Anniversary edition. The ceiling revealed some prior leaking and when I started into it I found I will have to replace most if not all the roof.

The original roof was aluminum but I am thinking of replacing it with the EPDM rubber stuff or Herculiner. One because I have no way of bending and joining the aluminum stuff and the rubber/herculiner is suppose to last much longer.

Has anyone done this? Anyone care to offer tips of advice?

wolfster101 · Jul 22, 2016

36 views and not a single response.

I have decided to use the EPDM liquid rubber stuff. Looks to be the easiest to install and has a great track record.

Since I am installing this on new Luan, I wonder if I have to use Eternabond tape on the seams?

Hopefully someone can offer some advice.

P.S. The roof in the center is good, the aluminum is a PAIN to get off. Is it possible to just replace the outer edges that is rotted and let the original remain? Or is patching center and edges not a good idea for weight support?

ltblueblzr · Jul 24, 2016

I can not help you, I am thinking about replacing mine with diamond plate aluminum but have not decided yet. I also have rotted out structure it celling and walls. I am surprised you had no response.

wolfster101 · Jul 24, 2016

Thanks for at least replying ltblueblzr. I was starting to think I was invisible.

Garry-HILO · Jul 24, 2016

wolfster101 said:
Thanks for at least replying ltblueblzr. I was starting to think I was invisible.

If you do a search on the forum for "roof repairs" you will probably find a link that will answer your questions. A couple of years ago GaryK did a complete remodel on his unit which included the interior roof, which you will probably have to do. http://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f17/demolition-begins-1532/?highlight=Complete+roof+repair

hilltool · Jul 24, 2016

wolfster101

I also recommend a search. There are many threads out there.

Also, it IS summer and you posted on a Friday. It is now Sunday. many folks dont check into the forum every day, particularly on weekends, and particularly in the summer when they may very well be camping. Do check the past threads and I am sure someone will be along in the next couple of days to offer further insight. This is a pretty helpful place and you will find plenty of good advice------but folks are not always feeling the same urgency as people needing advice. Been there myself.

Good luck with it.

Rick

sam-HILO · Jul 24, 2016

Roof replacement

We have a rubber roof on our 1990 25ft. Classic. It doesn't leak and we have had to patch it in a couple of spots. It gets stressed out where the roof turns to go over the side. You tube has some good info. on replacing a rubber roof. If it was me I would go ahead and replace the entire roof. RV education 101 did a restoration on a shasta and he explained step by step how he put his rubber roof on.

wolfster101 · Jul 25, 2016

Thank you for the responses.
I have seen GaryK's Demolition begins.

It appears the only damage is a foot up to 2 feet in from the edge. This goes almost all the way down the side of the trailer from front to back. The walls on the front around the windows will need to be repaired. I have no idea how to get under the fiberglass exterior to clean the rotted Luan off and prep the steel tubing. Looks as though I will have to disconnect the upper from the lower unless I can removing the skirting around the frame then lower it enough to get behind it.

It's too hot here in NC to be camping and too hot to be doing this type of work. The humidity is insane! I am generally soaked within 30 minutes of working on the trailer.
Here are some pics of the bottom walls and the fiberglass.

There is also a clamp on the side that holds in the slide out, Anyone know what this is called as I need to place one that is broke.

wolfster101 · Jul 25, 2016

Clamp that holds slide out in.

Garry-HILO · Jul 25, 2016

wolfster101 said:
Clamp that holds slide out in.
View attachment 5306Midget Trailer in Belleville, Ohio sells the clamps and straps. They are sold seperately. [/QUOTEhttp://hilotrailerparts.webs.com/midgettrailer.htm

wolfster101 · Jul 25, 2016

Garry said:
wolfster101 said:

Clamp that holds slide out in.
View attachment 5306Midget Trailer in Belleville, Ohio sells the clamps and straps. They are sold seperately. [/QUOTEhttp://hilotrailerparts.webs.com/midgettrailer.htm

Click to expand...

Thank you!

RCREYES · Jul 25, 2016

wolfster101 said:
Clamp that holds slide out in.
View attachment 5306

I bought mine from these cats:

Home - JR REPAIR

RichR · Jul 27, 2016

I have seen those at RV dealer accessory shops. The online places have them, search for hold down straps.

wolfster101 · Aug 16, 2016

Update. More than just the roof needs replaced. I am now into the walls!
Any suggestions on how to deal with the Filon/FRP? It needs to come off but it also needs to go back on as this stuff is incredibly expensive.

wolfster101 · Aug 23, 2016

Bracing the wall

This thread isn't getting much response but I hope it helps someone in the future that decides to take on a full wall and roof repair on a Hi-Lo.

Seeing how things come apart and go back together before hand would have been of great benefit to me.

So when I tore out all the original rotted wall to expose the metal frame I realized Hi-Lo had not done a very good job of support the wall it'self. You can see how the metal lower supports are tweaked out of horizontal.

Here you can see there is very little to hold things together.

And this is how I put it back together.

And a 4x4 carved to fit for the cable support which will also be reinforced with angle iron on the outside.

r67northern · Aug 23, 2016

This is a great thread, much appreciated by me at least. I'm looking at a similar mess that I'll have to tear into over the next year. I'm new to the forum but saving this thread for sure.

Garry-HILO · Aug 23, 2016

wolfster101 said:
This thread isn't getting much response but I hope it helps someone in the future that decides to take on a full wall and roof repair on a Hi-Lo.

Seeing how things come apart and go back together before hand would have been of great benefit to me.

So when I tore out all the original rotted wall to expose the metal frame I realized Hi-Lo had not done a very good job of support the wall it'self. You can see how the metal lower supports are tweaked out of horizontal.
View attachment 5363
Here you can see there is very little to hold things together.
View attachment 5364
And this is how I put it back together.
View attachment 5365
View attachment 5366
And a 4x4 carved to fit for the cable support which will also be reinforced with angle iron on the outside.
View attachment 5367

I must say it sure looks like you know what you're doing. I pride myself in that I'm a pretty good cabinet and furniture maker, but a remodel is not for me.

miranda-HILO · Aug 25, 2016

Wolf, hang in there. Mine leaked badly around fridge seal before last owner sealed roof and apparently did a SUPER job. Walls seem OK but 2 areas at bottom, near seal had to be replaced. I used thermal insulating stick-on layers and good old Gorilla black tape.

Yours looks like a challenging project but you'll get there man.

And I know what you say about working in high humidity and FL summer Heat.

Jerry

r67northern · Aug 25, 2016

The more I look at this the more I like the work. That new beam looks excellent.

wolfster101 · Aug 25, 2016

r67northern said:
The more I look at this the more I like the work. That new beam looks excellent.

Thanks r67norther. Got foam insulation in last night and almost ready to start installing the Luann. Hopefully tonight I can get the angle iron in that will support the cable.

Complete roof repair

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