rubber roof
 

I know Hi-Lo used rubber roofs for a couple of years in the early 2000's, I need to know how this roof system is holding up on your trailers. What's the "real" lifespan of this roof system.

Rubber roof life expectancy
 

We have a 90 classic with a rubber roof and have owned it for ten years. Don't know if the rubber roof is original or the former owner put in on. We do yearly maintenance on it. It is washed down with Korkay a local cleaning product. After it dries we use a dicor product called roof guard that protects and gives Maximum Uv Protection. Dicor also makes a Rubber Roof Cleaner. Last year hubby used Kool Seal Rv Rubber Roof Primer and then appliedKoolseal Rubber Roof Top Coat White Elastomeric. About $120.00 in materials with enough left to do it again as needed. The roof looks brand new(marshmellow white). Be sure to follow all directions on any product you use. Should of used painters tape to protect sides where the roof ends. Isn't hindsight a great thing!! Mark's Rv Garage series is rebuilding a trailer and he put on a Rubber roof.

I have a 2001 29B with a rubber roof. No problems at all. I have had to recalk around the awning attachment screws, the solar pannel and sun roof in the shower, but the roof is all good.

Lisa, we are thinking about upgrading to a 2003 TowLite. Would you have any concerns about purchasing a used trailer with a rubber roof?

Hi Les,

The 2004 Towlite we upgraded to has a rubber roof. I've gone over the roof in detail looking for delamination and any other evidence of failure, and have found none. This year we cleaned the rubber and applied a UV treatment, and I suspect its the first time any attention has been paid to the roof. We bought from an elderly couple who weren't into maintenance.

After considerable reading and other research, I've found that, in our dry climate, providing only "approved" chemicals are used or applied to the rubber, it should stand up as well or better than fiberglass, although probably not as well as aluminum. Petroleum based chemicals can cause serious issues, as will a number of cleaning products, and waxes. Certain caulks are recommended and others aren't. So if you get the rig with the rubber roof, read the labels of any product you're thinking about using to see if its okay. That's the big difference, as almost anything can be applied to fiberglass or aluminum.

I've read that a rubber roof can be replaced, if needed, at much less cost than either fiberglass or aluminum.

Just waxed our trailer this week, and sure enough, the bottle stated a warning to keep the product away from rubber roofs. I did!

Jim