As another season gets under way, let’s put some
focus on preventing problems with the roof of the units in your rental
fleet. This ensures you have one less rental problem, and great backend
sales this spring.
RUBBER ROOFS
Most RVs have a one piece rubber roof. Whether the unit
is a new or an older model, special attention is required, because the
roof is
the most over-looked area and one of the most important.
The rubber roof needs to be checked on every rental
return for damage. Add this to your rental checklist. Every month, look
for signs of leakage, especially around the plastic dome over the shower
area. This plastic is known to crack from the screws and warp from the
heat. Also, check the front and rear termination bars that attach the
roof area to the front portion of the RV. Check everything. Look around
all the vents, around the antenna, even though the unit may be new. The
rubber roof self-leveling lap sealant that is used in construction
sometimes has small air bubbles. When they pop, this leaves a hole for
water to enter. This is very common on all RVs.
REPAIRING RUBBER ROOFS
Many times, technicians try to repair a rubber roof with
a tube of silicone caulk or another self-leveling product. The problem
is silicone will not stick to a rubber roof. Read the label on the back
of the tube. There is no application listed for use on any type of
rubber. Additionally, silicone will not stick to rubber moldings around
windshields or windows. The instructions for sealants are not specific
about their uses. But when it comes to rubber roofs, there is only one
product that works, and it comes from the rubber roof manufacturer, and
was made to work directly with the rubber membrane material.
This product was designed to create a chemical
reaction that fuses the sealant to the rubber. Self-leveling lap sealant
designed specifically for rubber roofs is available at most RV parts
suppliers.
Also, never try to roof coat a rubber roof. First, it
won’t stick, and second, it voids the manufacturer’s
warranty. Remember, nothing sticks to a rubber roof except its own lap
sealant.
Another good practice is to install plastic domes over
all the roof vents. This will protect the vent cover and guarantee that
even if the vent is left open, water will not enter the coach and flood
the bathroom area, soak the mattress, upper bunk, or sofas. Plastic vent
covers also allow a constant flow of air so heat can escape and prevent
the build-up of odors and musty smells.
THE ROOF TOP AIR CONDITIONER
Roof top air conditioners are another item that cause
problems for renters. I suggest checking the roof top air conditioner
after each rental, to ensure that it is working properly.
One reason why the roof top air conditioner stops
working, is that it freezes up. There are several reasons why this
happens. Often, it is an undersized unit that can’t keep up with
the humidity and is incapable of getting rid of the moisture in the air.
A few years ago, a 13,500 BTU unit was strong enough to handle the needs
of the consumer. Now, a 15,000 BTU unit is better suited for rental
customers. Check to see that you have the correct unit on all your
rentals.
Another problem sometimes occurs with the cold control.
This device attaches to the inside upper evaporator coil. Its purpose is
to shut the compressor down if the air conditioner starts to freeze-up.
This will stop the cooling but allow the fan to blow until all the ice
that formed on the evaporator coil dissipates. Then the compressor will
kick back on. This problem occurs sometimes when the cold control
becomes detached from the coil. This sometimes happens because an
inexperienced person cleans the filter, or it is improperly installed.
This allows dirt to get past the filter and attach to the upper coils.
Dust and dirt act as an insulator, keeping the air conditioner from
cooling the air passing though it. If the evaporator gets full of dust,
there is a tool, called a comb, used to remove lint from the delicate
coils. Take caution not to jam the dirt deeper.
I recommend installing a better filter, cleaning it once
a week, and checking to make sure the cold control is properly attached.
Remember, more dirt means less air flow and instant freeze ups.
