Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 


Exterior Roof, doors, windows, awnings, etc
Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-10-2013, 10:39 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Upper left corner
Posts: 531
Default Recognizing Roof Galvanic Corrosion

As many of you know, some late model Hi-Lo trailers are afflicted with galvanic corrosion of the aluminum roof. This appears to be caused by steel nails or other fasteners that contact the underside of the roof. Over time, the combination of steel, aluminum, and natural moisture results in galvanic or dissimilar metal corrosion. This starts on the underside of the aluminum roof and eventually goes all the way through. My trailer (2009 model) has this problem.

There are some things that you can look for to determine if your roof is corroding before the corrosion creates a hole. First, start by thoroughly washing the roof. Scrub it with a medium stiffness brush. After it is clean, carefully examine the whole surface of the roof. On late model trailers, the roof is made from textured aluminum sheets that are painted glossy white. Look at the roof from different angles to see if there are areas that are dull and not glossy. Usually these areas are small, and range from 1/4" to 1" in diameter. If you spot any suspicious areas, run your finger over them and feel if they are a bit rougher than the surrounding roof surface. If your roof has dull, somewhat circular areas, corrosion has probably started. If the area also feels rougher than the surrounding area, the corrosion is pretty advanced.

My trailer's roof has 4 rows of corroded areas. They are located on the left and right side of the roof, 2 to 4 inches in from the edge of the roof. They run fore and aft for 12 to 18 inches each. In all but one area the corrosion had not yet penetrated the roof. The one penetration was originally about 1/8" diameter, surrounded by a rough area of about 1" diameter. I poked a bit at the hole and discovered that the underlying aluminum had been reduced to aluminum oxide powder for about 1/2" diameter.

I eventually may need to replace my roof because the corrosion won't stop with a surface repair. In the meantime, I decided to use EternaBond RoofSeal tape. I applied the tape per the instructions to all the affected areas. Before applying it to the hole I enlarged it and dug up all the loose aluminum oxide powder. I then filled the hole with quick setting epoxy. After this set, I applied the tape.

I recommend that those of you with late model trailers inspect the roof a few times per year. Catching signs of corrosion before it penetrates the roof will prevent water damage to the interior.
__________________

__________________
Raul

2408T
2010 Nissan Frontier, 4x4, Crew Cab
Norton Rider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2013, 09:03 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
hilltool's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,256
Default

Thanks for that, Raul.
__________________

__________________
2201 TL

2010 Nissan Titan king cab SE
4x4
hilltool is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2013, 05:50 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Fredericksburg, TX
Posts: 382
Send a message via Yahoo to jcurtis95
Default

I will "Amen" Raul's post...been there and done that. If you discover the 'metal rot' [electrolysis] early enough you may prevent the need to do extensive repairs to your roof and ceiling . If you do see the signs Raul describes early enough and use the EternaBondRoofSealtape used in conjunction with an elastomeric paint like KoolWhite, you will save yourself a lot of headaches later.

jcurtis95
jcurtis95 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Hi-Lo Trailers Worldwide or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:18 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
HiLoTrailerForum.com Copyright 2010
×