Mike Up
NW Indiana section of Chicagoland
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Joined: 05/29/2005
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I regularly check the caulking and found that my 2 roof top edge caulked seams had the caulking pulling off in small sections here and there.
I've used the camper for 2 season but used it a lot so there was a lot of road vibration and flexing.
Many overlook this including my dealer. I called the Starcraft and man, what service. The tech told me exactly how I should do it.
With a trailer of this age, I was told that most of the caulking should not need replacing, just areas that were bad and continue to inspect it regularly. If other sections come apart, recaulk those areas as well. In fact Starcraft and my dealer were surprised I was even having some come off. The dealer for the entire roof (2 top length seams, the front and rear width seams, and the door and opposite side length seams) wanted $255. The only seams that were bad were the 2 top length seams. I bought the best outdoor 100% silicone caulking I could find, GE Window and Door Silicone II 100% Silicone sealant. In fact most of the other caulking weren't 100% silicone but acrylic with some silicone for painting. Starcraft only recommends an 'outdoor' 100% silicone.
The dealer must have used aluminum colored 'acrylic' caulking on the door frame so it all cracked on the seams. This is a must as water will come into the floor and warp any cabinet that's near by. I know because Starcraft forgot to caulk this when it was new and had the damage. Dealer caulked it with an aluminum colored caulking that just didn't last. I used GE ALuminum and Metal Silicone II 100% Silicone Sealant and I had to apply it in the winter (when the original caulking cracked) and it applied like it was done in the perfect temperature. Great caulking!
Just trying to emphasize the importance of checking your caulked seams.
Have a good one.
2008 Jayco Jay Flight 19BH
22.5' bumper to hitch, 3900#s dry
2008 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4.6L V8 4X4
7000#/730# rating, 131" WB
Tow-N-See Convex Mirrors
Prodigy Brake Controller
Reese Strait-Line 800 lbs Trunnion Bar Sway Control
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mike4947
N. Syracuse, NY
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I hate to say it but Silicone is no longer the caulk of choice for RV usage. Newer Urethane and Sulfide based caulks do a better job, last longer, stick better, and don't get that "dirty look" silicone caulk does.
Not to mention any caulk bought at a home center no matter what the brand or material is not suitable for RV usage. Houses do not vibrate/shake/twist so you home center brands are not formulated for that kind of usage.
But having said that we no longer recommend caulking at all. Eternabond tape provides a permanent seal that doesn't require periodic inspection and recaulking.
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Mike Up
NW Indiana section of Chicagoland
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mike4947 wrote:I hate to say it but Silicone is no longer the caulk of choice for RV usage. Newer Urethane and Sulfide based caulks do a better job, last longer, stick better, and don't get that "dirty look" silicone caulk does.
Not to mention any caulk bought at a home center no matter what the brand or material is not suitable for RV usage. Houses do not vibrate/shake/twist so you home center brands are not formulated for that kind of usage.
But having said that we no longer recommend caulking at all. Eternabond tape provides a permanent seal that doesn't require periodic inspection and recaulking.
According to Starcraft, 100% silicone is what's recommended in the manual and by their tech staff. As long as it's 100% silicone, it's permanently flexible. This Silicone II is made to adhere to Wood, Metal, Masonry, Glass, Vinyl Siding, Drywall/Plaster, and Plastic. It's best adhesion is to Metal, along with a few other materials, so it's perfect for the metal trim that needs to be caulked to the metal sheeting.
I asked the Starcraft tech what he recommended for the roof, and it was an outdoor 100% silicone just like what was originally used from the factory. I asked for a brand recommendation and he sited any outdoor 100% silicone will do. So I bought the best for adhesion which is the Silicone II from GE. The RV store doesn't even have a Silicone caulking for PUP roofs so they couldn't provide an adequate caulking. I wasn't going against the recommended maintanence that the lifetime roof warranty calls for and the product they state (100% Silicone).
Have a good one.
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mike4947
N. Syracuse, NY
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Just another reason Starcraft ended up being bought out by Jayco. Lack of engineering learning and updating. The RV dealer didn't have any silicone caulk because of it not being a prefered caulk and other caulking materials as well as tape products doing the job better.
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Mike Up
NW Indiana section of Chicagoland
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I guess the simplest thing is not to caulk it at all, then we don't have to argue whats the best caulk. Sorry I posted this thread.
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deereone
NE
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Joined: 12/20/2005
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End caulking, use Eternabond tape. Just remember for caulking or applying Eternabond how well it adheres to the surface it's applied to depends on the surface prep before applying. Neither will adhere good to a poorly cleaned surface.
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PattieAM
Maryland
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Timely thread - I just checked my 'new roof' seam on my Fleetwood Niagara, and saw an area that doesn't appear to have any caulk/sealant. My next trip will be to a dealership near a campground I frequent as I am unable to get up on the roof of my PUP to do the work.
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BudRock
WNY
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Caulking Your RV
PLEASE... UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES USE SILICONE ON ANY TYPE OF RV ROOF!
Check all caulking, looking for surface cracks, or any areas where the caulk is pulling away from the roofing material. If you find any areas that need attention, you'll need the appropriate caulking material. What's appropriate? NEVER SILICONE sealants of any sort.
"What's wrong with silicone?" After "apparently" curing, silicone rubber sealants have an awful falling out with EPDM roofs. They simply peel away in strips, leaving the owner with a false sense of security, and a place for water to find its way in.
Eternabond tape will seal the seams or Urethane and Sulfide based caulks are the best choice.
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Mike Up
NW Indiana section of Chicagoland
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Joined: 05/29/2005
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BudRock wrote:Caulking Your RV
PLEASE... UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES USE SILICONE ON ANY TYPE OF RV ROOF!
Check all caulking, looking for surface cracks, or any areas where the caulk is pulling away from the roofing material. If you find any areas that need attention, you'll need the appropriate caulking material. What's appropriate? NEVER SILICONE sealants of any sort.
"What's wrong with silicone?" After "apparently" curing, silicone rubber sealants have an awful falling out with EPDM roofs. They simply peel away in strips, leaving the owner with a false sense of security, and a place for water to find its way in.
Eternabond tape will seal the seams or Urethane and Sulfide based caulks are the best choice.
This is a METAL PUP roof, not a EPDM TT roof. STARCRAFT RECOMMENDS ONLY 100% SILICONE. The normal maintainence of recaulking with 100% silicone is required to keep the lifetime warranty in effect.
MANUAL
Starcraft wrote:
Standard Care:
Roof and Seams
Inspect at least every 60 days. Check for gaps and re-caulk using a #999A Dow silicone sealer (available from Starcraft) or another brand of pure 100% silicone caulk. A similar procedure should be followed for the roof vent and screws. This procedure must be done at least once a year or sooner if necessary.
Starcraft RV, Inc. Limited Roof Warranty
WHAT IS NOT COVERED
failure to maintain the RV in accordance with the owner's manual, or other routine maintenance, surface finish, resealing, or the costs of labor or shipping for any service work on the roof after the first 2 years.
END OF STORY
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mike4947
N. Syracuse, NY
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Mike, I'm glad you did do the caulking. Way to many folks don't and it's actually the main cause of junking PU's. Having the roof leak and destroy itself. RTV silicone will seal the roof, it's just there are better products.
But, I've been over and over this with Starcaft for at least the last 7 years about updating their caulking and the manual. That wording IIRC has been in the owner's manual for as long as I've been reading them.
I hate to say it but what we've run into is a case of "we've always done it that way and we aren't about to change".
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