Help: delaminated roof?! 2020 Keystone cougar

alku1 · 01-26-2022, 11:03 PM

Hi,

We just got an inspection done for a 2020 Keystone cougar half-ton 29 MBS (price 35'500). The trailer was stored outside, private seller. (almost) Everything looks great except some minor things. However there is one topic where Im really unsure about:
Delamination on the roof (see attached): It looks like that along the "fold"? the upper layer of the roof is bubbling up along the overlap of the roof panels. Sorry if Im not usign the proper terms. How bad is this?
The inspector says there is no sign of water damage as such. He believes this is a manufacturing issue. However there is nothing to fix it besides having the whole roof redone.

We are checking with the seller if they still have extended warranty, but Im curious what you guys think.

Thanks!

**chuckster57** · 01-27-2022, 04:23 AM

Welcome to the forum

First off no pictures are attached, but if the membrane is bubbling up that is an issue that needs to be addressed. Can you post pics?

wiredgeorge · 01-27-2022, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alku1

Hi,

We just got an inspection done for a 2020 Keystone cougar half-ton 29 MBS (price 35'500). The trailer was stored outside, private seller. (almost) Everything looks great except some minor things. However there is one topic where Im really unsure about:
Delamination on the roof (see attached): It looks like that along the "fold"? the upper layer of the roof is bubbling up along the overlap of the roof panels. Sorry if Im not usign the proper terms. How bad is this?
The inspector says there is no sign of water damage as such. He believes this is a manufacturing issue. However there is nothing to fix it besides having the whole roof redone.

We are checking with the seller if they still have extended warranty, but Im curious what you guys think.

Thanks!

To attach a pic, go ADVANCED and then MANAGE ATTACHMENTS. Brings up a file explorer box and you can select the image you wish.

alku1 · 01-27-2022, 06:08 AM

Oops sorry!
I added a picture to the original post :-)

wiredgeorge · 01-27-2022, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alku1

Oops sorry!
I added a picture to the original post :-)

This isn't delamination. It is the roof material membrane has come loose along a seam in the underlayment. This has come up previously and I doubt you will get the roof material manufacturer to honor this issue as a warranty item much less Keystone or a dealer. Seems to me it will be cosmetic will be the answer. If you are not happy with this material coming loose at a seam, suggest you walk away from the purchase. Good luck and be happy you had the sense to have the inspection done.

**sourdough** · 01-27-2022, 06:34 AM

Others will chime in I'm sure but here's my 2 cents worth;

The asking price is right about avg. retail (low) for that year/model of trailer. That roof looks like no one has taken care of it since the unit was made. The inspector may or may not have found any evidence of water intrusion but it doesn't mean it isn't there to some degree. Can't tell from the picture clearly but I would think the sealing along the edges, front and rear would be suspect as well.

Just guessing but the trailer looks like the owner was one of the "buy it and forget it" type of folks - something that does not bode well for an RV. I've never owned a trailer that had a roof that looked like that even if they were several years old. I do however clean and treat the roof at least once yearly.

Bottom line for me; I don't buy used anything but if I did and I was looking at that trailer I would inspect that roof closely first hand. We've seen owners with roof material like that quite a few times on this and other forums, it is considered cosmetic in virtually all the cases as I recall. IF that material hasn't dried and cracked and IF the sealant on the sides, front and rear is in good shape and IF the rest of the trailer was in super condition (including tires) I would offer 30k or so and go from there - maybe there is a happy middle ground for both of you.

**chuckster57** · 01-27-2022, 07:47 AM

So now I see the pic. As stated it’s not delamination, it’s adhesive failure. As long as the membrane is intact, your going to have a very steep climb to get anybody to replace it under any type of warranty. You might want to think about walking away.

alku1 · 01-28-2022, 10:08 PM

Hey folks,

Thank you for your feedback! The last days have been really intense, researching, reviewing feedback here and weighting the pros' and con's. Eventually, we decided yesterday to pull the trigger and swallow the bitter pill.

We have looked at many TT/5ths inspected some and realized that we rather take something where we know what we are getting into, than going on and paying for inspections. Fingers crossed!

You will probably see us posting much more in the weeks to come ;-)

**chuckster57** · 01-29-2022, 03:56 AM

I hope it works out for you. We are here for you if you have any questions.

**sourdough** · 01-29-2022, 07:24 AM

Congrats on the purchase! I would recommend a thorough cleaning, inspection and then sealing on that new roof (edges, sides and roof material). Hopefully the inspection reveals nothing more than some sealing required and you can begin enjoying the RV. Ask away with questions and someone will help I'm sure.

wiredgeorge · 01-29-2022, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alku1

Hey folks,

Thank you for your feedback! The last days have been really intense, researching, reviewing feedback here and weighting the pros' and con's. Eventually, we decided yesterday to pull the trigger and swallow the bitter pill.

We have looked at many TT/5ths inspected some and realized that we rather take something where we know what we are getting into, than going on and paying for inspections. Fingers crossed!

You will probably see us posting much more in the weeks to come ;-)

It will be easier to answer questions if you add a signature to your posts containing year, make and model of camper and tow vehicle. You can make a signature under the UserCP at the top/left of every page. Remember to save it. Also, are you in Munich Germany?

CedarCreekWoody · 01-29-2022, 10:31 AM

Is there an actual seam there or is it just the adhesive failing?

**JRTJH** · 01-29-2022, 11:23 AM

Woody brings up a good point. When the trailer left the factory, the roof was a "ONE PIECE, SEAMLESS ROOF"... If the bubbled up roof membrane in your photo has any "seams or cut/glued back" sections, then it is NOT what left the factory.

alku1 · 01-30-2022, 06:59 AM

Thanks everyone form the hospitality! I will definitely open some thread about my ideas to improve the rig (solar, tires, ...).

@wiredgeorge: good point! Will do so now since we actually have an RV

Yes, Munich Germany. Wwe are goign to have boots on the ground as of early March

I will check whether its a seam or not in that area before we seal everything up.

Bob Landry · 02-03-2022, 08:39 AM

Personally, I would have walked away from any type of roof problems. I just had mine replaced on my 5ver because of a low hanging limb. Price was around $13K. Thank God for insurance. Good luck with yours.

chuckt2 · 02-03-2022, 09:21 AM

I'm not an expert on RV roofs, however most of them are TPO, a product used in commercial roofs. To get a second opinion, check with a local roofer who installs TPO.
The seams are heat welded together. If the seam is OK, the adhesive underneath has come loose. This is a simple fix on a commercial roof. Again, get a second opinion as to the extent of the problem. It might not be that bad.

travelin texans · 02-03-2022, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Landry

Personally, I would have walked away from any type of roof problems. I just had mine replaced on my 5ver because of a low hanging limb. Price was around $13K. Thank God for insurance. Good luck with yours.

Wow!
For that kind of $$ I'd have had the insurance pay for a RV Armor or Flex Armor roof! They are a sprayed on roof guaranteed for the life of the rv, warranty is transferable & in some cases they come to you for the install.
I haven't priced it for a while, but the last I checked they charged by the linear foot, don't recall per ft price, but I'm quite sure for your 30'er it would not been anywhere near $13k.

wiredgeorge · 02-03-2022, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Wow!
For that kind of $$ I'd have had the insurance pay for a RV Armor or Flex Armor roof! They are a sprayed on roof guaranteed for the life of the rv, warranty is transferable & in some cases they come to you for the install.
I haven't priced it for a while, but the last I checked they charged by the linear foot, don't recall per ft price, but I'm quite sure for your 30'er it would not been anywhere near $13k.

My RV-Armor roof cost under $5K and as mentioned, it was priced by the linear foot; I have a 28' roof. It is a lifetime fully transferable warranty product. I used RV-Armor because they come to where you are parked. Flex Armor is also a fine product and the local installer to Austin is in Bertram. You take to him and he applies the product at his location. That product also has a very good warranty. I priced with them and they would price match RV-Armor. The local repair shop wanted about $5K to install a new rubber roof. There is a company in San Antonio that installs an RV specific roof coating made by Rhino Liner (I think that is what it is called) and they were quite a bit more but no where near $13K. This is as of about 3 years ago. The price for RV-Armor is now $165 a linear foot. My roof was paid for by the insurance company.,

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