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

Go Back   Sunline Coach Owner's Club > Model Specific Forums > Sunline Travel Trailers
Click Here to Login

Join Sunline Club Forums Today


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 10-09-2007, 06:33 PM   #1
Moderator
 
Tweety's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,285
SUN #128
Tweety
Roof Construction

Can someone explain the layers of roof construction of a 2007 Sunline Solaris? I can see how they build it right up until the point where it's insulated. What goes on top of the insulation before the rubber roofing material goes on? (I'm thinking Jon knows the answer to this one for sure, or Kitty or Pat & Cindy since they both ordered an upgrade to a hard roof.)
__________________

__________________
Pam
Lance 1475 "Snoopy"
2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD 4x4 D/A
2012 Arctic Fox 30U, SUNLINES - 2006 2753 "Tweety", 2007 QUE "QUEtSE", 2364, 1660
Tweety is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-09-2007, 06:48 PM   #2
Moderator
 
PTHutch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: New York
Posts: 1,920
SUN #98
PTHutch is an unknown quantity at this point
Pam,

You're probably right that Jon, Kitty, and/or Pat & Cindy know the specific answer.

I believe the standard roof has a 1/8" piece of luaun (or plywood) under the one-piece rubber roof. The walk-on roof option I think they increased it to 1/2" plywood.

You can sort of see it on the camper in the background in this picture:


Hope this helps, at least until one of the experts pitch in.
Hutch
__________________

__________________
Mary & Tom (aka Hutch)
2015 Jayco Eagle Premier 361REQS
2014 GMC Sierra 3500HD 4x4 CC D/A
Sunlines: 2005 Solaris T-280SR; 1999 Solaris T-2670; 1998 Saturn T-24A
PTHutch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-09-2007, 07:14 PM   #3
Moderator Emeritus
 
kanyonkitty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 2,289
SUN #17
kanyonkitty is an unknown quantity at this point
Hutch,

I believe you pretty much got it right. I have the 1/8" luan with the aluminum roofing. I didn't opt for the walk-on roof, as I'm afraid of heights (IF I got up there, I'd be afraid to get down) The rubber roof material is "glued" to one large sheet of luan, size depended on what model trailer roof it was for, but it was one whole sheet, not pieced.

The walk-on option upgraded the luan to plywood. I don't know what thickness the plywood was, or if the walkon roof was one piece of wood or maybe 4x8' sheets.

I'm sure Jon will know that.
__________________
Sunny #18 2003 F-344SR #8157
Sunny #19 1997 T-2653 #5485
1999 Ford F350XLT DRW Crew Cab, Long bed 7.3 PSD
2002 VW Jetta TDI.. AKA: Kitty's Kruiser
kanyonkitty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2007, 09:46 AM   #4
Moderator
 
Sunline Fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
Sunline Fan is an unknown quantity at this point
Fortunately, I haven't had to experience taking a roof fully apart before, but to the best of my knowledge, everyone has it correct so far. It's the 1/8" luan with rubber on top, all pulled tight at the seams and attached with the metal channel and screws .

Jon
__________________
2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
Sunline Fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2007, 09:58 AM   #5
Moderator
 
Tweety's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,285
SUN #128
Tweety
Thanks you guys. Some nasty salesman at one time had made the comment that "Sunline uses cardboard as a backer for their rubber roof." I just needed to put that one to rest.
__________________
Pam
Lance 1475 "Snoopy"
2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD 4x4 D/A
2012 Arctic Fox 30U, SUNLINES - 2006 2753 "Tweety", 2007 QUE "QUEtSE", 2364, 1660
Tweety is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2007, 11:26 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 360
SUN #132
Makers Mark
I do not want to throw a monkey wrench into this, as I really do not know what was used. During the auction (just about where Hutch’s picture is) they had tables set-up the whole length of the tracks for all the hand tools. I went up to the upholstery area upstairs to get a better view through the crowds. Up there they had the biggest roll of thick brown cardboard in a 4 ft diameter by about 10 foot roll. It was the biggest roll of cardboard (not corrugated) I have ever seen, it must have weighed 2 tons. It was about as thick if not thicker than tar paper. I assumed at the time it was either used for patterns or a backing for the flooring. I hope it wasn’t used for the roof. I can also assume the roll would have been closer to the gantry they used to install the trusses. It wasn’t in a convenient place to where they assembled the roof.
MM
__________________
J & JL
1973 Sunline Competitor Pick-up Camper
2002 Sunline T-2363
2015 Rockwood 2608WS (SOB)
SUN # 132
Makers Mark is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2007, 12:20 PM   #7
Moderator
 
Tweety's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,285
SUN #128
Tweety
Hmmm...guess we need to hear from someone who took the factory tour and was paying attention in the roof construction area. We took our Cub Scout Den about 1991 and I think I was more focused on controlling 8 little 8 year olds than how the Sunlines were being made!
__________________
Pam
Lance 1475 "Snoopy"
2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD 4x4 D/A
2012 Arctic Fox 30U, SUNLINES - 2006 2753 "Tweety", 2007 QUE "QUEtSE", 2364, 1660
Tweety is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2007, 02:00 PM   #8
Moderator
 
PTHutch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: New York
Posts: 1,920
SUN #98
PTHutch is an unknown quantity at this point
Pam,

Maybe you should PM Carl (aka Eclipse) to find out the answer. There's nothing better than hearing if from someone who was there.

Hutch
__________________
Mary & Tom (aka Hutch)
2015 Jayco Eagle Premier 361REQS
2014 GMC Sierra 3500HD 4x4 CC D/A
Sunlines: 2005 Solaris T-280SR; 1999 Solaris T-2670; 1998 Saturn T-24A
PTHutch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2007, 02:53 PM   #9
Moderator
 
Tweety's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,285
SUN #128
Tweety
I got up on a ladder and knocked on the roof. It sure has alot of give to it...more than it would seem like luan would have. Maybe it is a heavy guage cardboard. Maybe it doesn't matter?
__________________
Pam
Lance 1475 "Snoopy"
2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD 4x4 D/A
2012 Arctic Fox 30U, SUNLINES - 2006 2753 "Tweety", 2007 QUE "QUEtSE", 2364, 1660
Tweety is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-10-2007, 03:55 PM   #10
Moderator
 
Sunline Fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
Sunline Fan is an unknown quantity at this point
I'll have to ask my Dad how my '94 was. He was the one to patch the cracks in it from the inside. I never really saw the inside of the roof until the new insulation was in because I helped with the interior panel. Unfortunately, I won't be able to ask him until tomorrow or so when he gets home from the woods.

Jon
__________________
2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
Sunline Fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2007, 03:02 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 854
SUN #115
emam
I'm not sure if they put the Cardboard between the plywood and the rubber, but something tells me they might have used it for a barrier/cushion between the two.

It's not like the Cardboard is the only thing on the roof

I know for the roofs that were Walk On Models, they had 1/2" thick Plywood and the Non-Walk On Models I think had the 1/4".

I cant imagine even a salesman thinking that any thickness of cardboard would hold the rubber roof taught against the rafters? Obviously just another salesman talking smack

I'd try and get ahold of Carl, he'd know for sure.

Pat
__________________
2007 Sunline T-2499 4" Lift
Rigged Boondocking & Dry Camping

Pat & Cindy Bonish
www.everymilesamemory.com
www.lowkeyhideaway.com
emam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2007, 04:55 PM   #12
Moderator
 
Tweety's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,285
SUN #128
Tweety
I followed everyone's suggestion and here is the reply I received.

What is under the rubber is what we called Bud board, very simular to cardboard, but not really. It was glued to the rubber 24hrs. before they would install it. There is some cases that some units have had plywood decking as a option.
__________________
Pam
Lance 1475 "Snoopy"
2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD 4x4 D/A
2012 Arctic Fox 30U, SUNLINES - 2006 2753 "Tweety", 2007 QUE "QUEtSE", 2364, 1660
Tweety is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-17-2007, 06:46 PM   #13
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 62
SUN #238
MikeM
Pretty scary in my opinion. Water and cardboard do not mix well.

Has anyone ever heard of someone having their complete roof structure?

Is it even possible since the factory is gone?

mike
__________________
2007 T-2363
2004 Toyota 4Runner
MikeM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 05:33 AM   #14
Moderator
 
PTHutch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: New York
Posts: 1,920
SUN #98
PTHutch is an unknown quantity at this point
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeM
Pretty scary in my opinion. Water and cardboard do not mix well.
I’m not scared or worried at all. Given the track record of Sunline using high quality products and materials in their trailers, I’m sure they used materials on the roof that exceeded what most other manufacturers used.

Plus, they DID NOT use cardboard. It was a processed material, which was glued to the underside of the rubber roof to provide some structural integrity to the rubber.

The rubber and seals is what provides weather protection of the roof. Water is not good for ANY of the materials below the rubber roof. That’s why it’s so important to check the rubber roof and seals regularly and to fix any rips in the rubber or dry/missing seals immediately.

If you would research the materials used be other manufacturers that build trailers without a walk-on roof, I would bet that the materials they use are much more inferior to what Sunline used.

One advantage to a rubber roof over other material is that there are no seams. The other advantage that it’s quieter when raining.


Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeM
Has anyone ever heard of someone having their complete roof structure?

Is it even possible since the factory is gone?
Not sure what you mean here. Are you asking if anyone knows of some who has replaced the complete roof?
I don’t know anyone personally that has had this done. But most RV repair shops have the capability to replace the roof. There is no proprietary information or secrets to roof replacement, so I would imagine any reputable RV repair facility could do an excellent job.


Hutch
__________________
Mary & Tom (aka Hutch)
2015 Jayco Eagle Premier 361REQS
2014 GMC Sierra 3500HD 4x4 CC D/A
Sunlines: 2005 Solaris T-280SR; 1999 Solaris T-2670; 1998 Saturn T-24A
PTHutch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 06:21 AM   #15
Moderator
 
Tweety's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,285
SUN #128
Tweety
Given Sunline's 3+2 warrantee, and the number of old ones still in service, I can only conclude that whatever bud board is it is a decent substance. It's the rubber that's doing the job of repelling rain, and if they had used plywood our trailers would be alot heavier.
__________________
Pam
Lance 1475 "Snoopy"
2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD 4x4 D/A
2012 Arctic Fox 30U, SUNLINES - 2006 2753 "Tweety", 2007 QUE "QUEtSE", 2364, 1660
Tweety is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 08:03 AM   #16
Moderator
 
Sunline Fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
Sunline Fan is an unknown quantity at this point
Message content deleted by author.
__________________
Sunline Fan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 01:18 PM   #17
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 62
SUN #238
MikeM
Reason I am asking a few questions as I do not have the luxury of having covered parking.

My backyard has a few trees and when the wind blows a few branches fall, some big and some small.

I am aware the roofing material will not matter if a large branch hits the roof.

I know you can patch the rubber roof but how long will it take for any moisture to ruin the material under the rubber?

If this happened, would you have to completely rip the roof off and replace all the material and then put a new rubber roof back on?

I was wondering if you had to replace the roof, could you replace it with aluminum or would that be cost prohibitive?

I really enjoy the Sunline.

mike
__________________
2007 T-2363
2004 Toyota 4Runner
MikeM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2007, 03:28 PM   #18
Moderator Emeritus
 
kanyonkitty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 2,289
SUN #17
kanyonkitty is an unknown quantity at this point
Hey Mike M,

Take a look at the post in the provided link. This man has basically rebuilt his "WHOLE" trailer including the roof. SO it might give you some ideas, or I'm sure you could contact him.

http://216.232.0.43:2000/81%20Citation%20TT.htm

Kitty
__________________
Sunny #18 2003 F-344SR #8157
Sunny #19 1997 T-2653 #5485
1999 Ford F350XLT DRW Crew Cab, Long bed 7.3 PSD
2002 VW Jetta TDI.. AKA: Kitty's Kruiser
kanyonkitty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2007, 07:17 AM   #19
Jim
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: New York
Posts: 6
SUN #24
Jim
Hi all,
We took the factory tour a little over a year ago and the best I can describe it is a cardboard on a huge roll that got glued to the rubber roof. I was very surprised. It reminded me of cereal box material maybe the thickness of two pieces of cereal box cardboard. I am very careful to only walk on the trusses and I do that very minimally. Now that I think about it, what's the difference as long as you don't walk on a roof that wasn't designed to be walked on.
They told me at the factory to cut 2 pieces of plywood at least 2' square, round the edges and cover the bottom with carpet. This was exceptable to distribute your weight. So far zero problems and minimal time spent on the roof. I did purchase a few rolls of Eternabond 4" tape and do all edges and the bath skylight and all vents. Looks good and gives me a little added protection. I did this the first months of ownership as a little insurance and I am glad I did it.
__________________

__________________
2006 Solaris 2553 purchased 7/05
2017 Siverado 6.0 4x4 4:10
Jim is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
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


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Roof Sagging WandaLust Sunline Community 9 11-22-2008 12:38 AM
Got the Roof Done Chef Ron Repairs and Maintenance 2 08-11-2008 07:44 PM
Roof questions grannytosix Sunline Community 6 07-20-2008 07:35 PM
Roof ? Chef Ron Repairs and Maintenance 3 07-09-2008 06:04 PM
aluminum roof 69z28rsss Sunline Travel Trailers 5 06-14-2008 07:47 PM


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sunline RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:26 AM.


×