I think we have a roof leak but I don't know for sure

pamwinn · 04-23-2007, 08:23 PM

We have a new 2007 Sunline T-1950 that we purchased in December. While showering this past weekend, I noticed some ripple to the ceiling right at the ouside corner. Our friends were on the site next to ours and they were uphill so I took a look at the roof from there. The corner looks weird. NOTE: I have not seen this up close yet. It looks llike there is a ridge of caulk around the corner...a big ridge. It also looks like water has puddled there...it was a little stained. Do I have a leak or is this all coincidence?

**Sunline Fan** · 04-24-2007, 05:40 AM

Pam,

I hate to say, but that sounds like the definition of a leak. I had a leak in my 2363 and the back corners rippled like that. The roof didn't look wierd, but it did have a few small tears. Until you determine if there's a leak, DO NOT wash the roof. It will leak in and make it worse. You may want to cover that part of the roof in the mean time, just in case.

Jon

pamwinn · 04-24-2007, 04:24 PM

We are total neophytes. What should we do? Should we just take it in to a repair facility? We bought it in PA and live in GA so going back to that dealer isn't an option.

**Sunline Fan** · 04-24-2007, 05:43 PM

Pam,

From experience, I can tell you that replacing the the inside ceiling panel is by no means an easy job. You are probably better off taking it to a repair facility, unless you feel confident doing it yourself. The inside panel looks like it's just glued/nailed to the ceiling- It's not. Really, the panel sits on top of the walls and the roof is then built on top of that. I do have good news though: The interior panel is most likely used by another manufacturer (there are different patterns of textures) and there should be some available somewhere. I saved quite a bit of money on mine by using a "used panel"- a panel that is damaged that is used to ship new panels. They simply put the "used panel" face in against the new one, so the panel doesn't get any new damage. My local dealer had quite a few of these in stock, so I went and picked one out that matched. The damage on that one would be cut off anyway, so I had basically a new panel for next to nothing. BTW, with it being a corner panel and in the bathroom, you should expect quite a job- it is all one piece.

Without seeing it in person or seeing pics, I can only recommend that you keep the exterior covered for the time being and take it to your nearest dealer whenever it's convenient.

Here's some pics of my water damage. I only have a pic here of the left rear corner, but both sides had it. The right rear damage didn't really show up in a pic:

Jon

**PTHutch** · 04-24-2007, 05:51 PM

Hi Pam,

I’m not sure where in GA you live, but I checked the Sunline web site and here are 2 dealers in GA that were Sunline Dealers.

Sagon RV Super Center
2883 Pleasant Hill Rd
Deluth, GA 30096
tel: 770-623-4395
fax: 866-442-4692

Sagon RV Super Center
172 Van Mar Blvd.
Jackson, GA 30233
tel: 678-752-0009
fax: 678-752-0049

If either of these dealers is close to you then I would start by calling them. If not then call your closest dealer (i.e., closest reputable dealer).

If you want to find out what’s the best dealer to deal with in your area, I would put a post on the Open Roads Forum.
http://www.trailerlife.com/cforum/index.cfm

Sorry I can't be of more help.
Hutch

pamwinn · 04-24-2007, 08:52 PM

You are always a lot of help to everyone and we all appreciate it. I live very near SagonRV. There service department is huge...36 bays. I call tomorrow and make an appt. I will also try to get a photo of the ceiling here. It is very, very slight wrinkling in a tiny area right in the corner and there is no discoloration at all. I do not believe this was there in mid feb on our prior trip. I always look closely at the shower ceiling and I believe I would have noticed it because I am specifically looking for leaks and irregularities. Hopefully, this just started and their is not any significant damage. Maybe it is nothing. I don't have a good ladder to get up high enough to look at that rear corner of the roof that looks suspiciously like someone overdid the caulking there. It looked like a big blob squished on by hand from the vantage point I had.

Thanks for taking the time to post the photo's.

tinybluetj · 04-25-2007, 07:40 AM

Hey Pam!

Sorry to hear about your roof!

On a side note, I had read you posts over on RV NET when looking to purchase our Que. We used your name as a reference when we went up to Butler to buy it. (He said he "absolutely could not go below $13,900"

) "Slim" told us that he would give us 50 bucks for any references that resulted in a sale. I don't know if he told you the same thing, but I thought I would mention it to you. He may owe you 50 bucks!

We sent someone up, but we don't know if he bought or not...

pamwinn · 04-25-2007, 04:10 PM

Hey tinybluetj,

Thanks for the referral. When Slim first posted the QUE's for sale, he listed them at 12,900. The price increased after a short while. They were going to sell it to us at that price and we made the deal, but I guess you know that we decided on the 1950 instead. I haven't regretted that too much, but still wish I had a QUE. I love the way they look. He charged us 13,900 for the 1950 though. If there is something really wrong with it that costs a lot to repair, I am going to be angry. Especially if it is discovered that something was covered-up. I really hope that is not the case. I plan to call them after I know more.

Pam

tinybluetj · 04-26-2007, 06:55 AM

Yeah, that's a bummer. Slim gave us the 'lower' price after I mentioned your name, but I don't think he was happy about it

. The service guys up there seem to be good guys (did a whole heap of work on our Jeep for free, and took us to lunch); I don't think they would have covered anything up on purpose. (I hope) Maybe it was just a bad fix?
We REALLY wanted the 1950 SR, but we just couldn't pull it (not to mention the tounge weight!!!!

) I think you made a good decision, reguardless. I hope the dammage is minor, and an easy fix. Call to ask him about it, and then ask if the Harvin's you sent up bought the Que- make him give you the 50 bucks to help with reparis!
Keep us 'posted'

SanDimasJoe · 04-27-2007, 01:52 PM

FYI,
I just got through checking the roof for sealant separations. My T2553 is a 2005 model made in 2004 but the only separations I found were in the roof corner joints, nothing big but that's when you would want to reseal rather than later when it may be too late. I used Dicor lap sealant to reseal the openings. It is pretty easy to use. Don't make the mistake I made by cutting too much off the tip. Last year when I checked the roof, It was ok. So I think once a year would be a good to check the sealant for separtions or every time you wash it.

Joe

Poor Man Campin' · 04-28-2007, 02:28 PM

Since yours is a '07 model I can't think you'd have major damage yet. I found the leak on my '00 while washing my roof. It was sagging on the RR corner over the bathroom and when I pressed on it, the roof was soft and there was no support. When the repair shop peeled the rubber roof back, the plywood was disinigrated and the insulation was soaked. I hope you don't experience that, but it sounds like you caught it in time. Good luck with your repairs and I hope you get many years of enjoyment out of your trailer!

pamwinn · 05-02-2007, 09:50 AM

It was expensive but I guess worth it...or was it a rip-off....you decide.

Installed Thermostatically controlled Fantastic Fan in LR. Had to connect to wiring from light fixture.
Installed Hinged Max Air Vent Cover over Fantastic Fan in LR
Installed Hinged Max Air Vent Cover in BR
Roof inspection: Excellent Roof, No leak. All four corners have a small dam but that’s in the design. It performs very well. The paper was wrinkled at time of manufacture.
Total $650.00

tinybluetj · 05-02-2007, 12:18 PM

I saw it's worth it to know there is no leak!!!!!

Congratulations!

MACK C-85 · 05-02-2007, 02:12 PM

OK, Bad Master Card Commercial.....

Two new MAXXAIR Covers + Installation.... $100 - $150 (I've seen them in the $20-$25 range around here and with $85/hour shop rates...)

Knowing a Fantastic Fan as an option to new (2007) Sunline was $200+/- (and that doesn't include the cost of running the thermostat wire in the wall of an existing trailer, if yours has that??)

Piece of Mind knowing a good roof........PRICELESS!!!!

pamwinn · 05-02-2007, 02:37 PM

It seems a little high to me, but oh well, it's done and I have the vent covers and the fan which I think we will enjoy. I just wish I had remembered that I also want a satellite wire installed. I will save the paperwork of course. Should we decided to sell it at some point, I want potential buyers to know the small bubbles in the ceiling are manufacturing flaws and not indicative of a leak.

**PTHutch** · 05-02-2007, 05:42 PM

Pam,

What type of MaxAir Vent Cover did you get installed over the Fantastic Fan?

Just curious. I know MaxAir has a vent cover that they say is for the ceiling fans, like the Fantastic Fan & the SHURFlo, etc., but it's 3x the cost of their standard vent cover. I was wondering if you had that installed over your Fantastic fan instead for the standard MaxAir Vent cover?

Hutch

pamwinn · 05-02-2007, 06:23 PM

I will let you know when we get it back. I asked my husband, he took the trailer in, and he did not know. He does know that the FF is thermostatically controlled and they checked for the leak with some kind of needle thing that detects moisture. He does not ask the same kind of questions that I do though I did not realize that fantastic fans did not come with the cover. That doesn't even make sense to me.

**PTHutch** · 05-02-2007, 06:30 PM

Hi Pam,

Not asking the right questions - it's a guy thing

.

The Fantastic Fan has a cover. Installing a vent cover over it will allow you to open the vent when it's raining. Which I think is a great idea.

That's why I personally have never liked the ceiling fans that come with the rain sensors. If I ever install a ceiling fan, like the fanstatic fan, I will not get the one with the rain sensor and have a vent installed over it just so I can open them while it's raining.

I have the standard MaxAir Vent covers on all our ceiling vents and I keep the vents open when it’s in storage to allow air flow and to keep the inside temp at least close to the outside air temp.
I even keep the vents open a little bit during winter storage.

Hutch

**Sunline Fan** · 05-02-2007, 07:44 PM

Hutch,

The Fantastic Fans with rain sensors are great for when you leave, you can leave them on and not worry about it raining. We have three in the MH, and they do have rain sensors, but you can still turn them on when it rains. When taking a shower, it's nice to turn the Bathroom one on to get out the humidity. I have opened it purposly when it has sprinked. As long as the fan is on a higher speed, it will blow away all the incoming rainwater.

Pam, glad to hear you don't have a leak. As Mack said, the piece of mind knowing you have a good roof is priceless.

Jon

pamwinn · 05-03-2007, 08:50 PM

I didn't get home until after dark so I can't really see anything but here is what the invoice says:
Pwr vent rev w/theromostat $216.00
Fan Mate Model 800 $92.99 In the dark it looks just like the standard vent cover.

I don't think we'll go back to Sagon but there isn't a lot of choice around here. The screen on the fan was punctured and it took him over 2 hours to get them to replace it. They were not going to do it until tomorrow so he told them fine...I'll leave the trailer, remove all the stuff and I'll pay for the leak check only. They replaced the screen at that point.

A disgruntled employees told some horror stories about the repair work done there.

The invoice also says the wrinkle in the ceiling was caused during construction of the corner molding.