Every week, hundreds of questions flow through our RV Network community forum. We compile the most-asked, most-discussed, and most-useful questions — along with expert answers — in this weekly roundup. Here are this week’s top 10.
1. “My EPDM roof is 8 years old and still looks good. Do I really need to replace it?”
This came up multiple times this week. The short answer: visual appearance is a poor indicator of EPDM condition after 7+ years. EPDM begins significant molecular degradation around year 7 regardless of how it looks. The rubber compounds polymerize and lose elasticity — meaning the roof becomes brittle and prone to cracking under thermal cycling even if it appears fine visually. Get a professional inspection. Check our guide on How to Check for RV Roof Damage for what to look for yourself.
2. “Can I coat over my existing rubber roof?”
Yes, with qualifications. The existing roof must be structurally sound, properly cleaned, and primed. If there’s delamination, soft spots, or significant moisture infiltration, those must be addressed first. Our guide on How to Prepare Your RV Roof for a Coating covers this in detail.
3. “How much does it cost to have a professional coat a 32-foot fifth wheel?”
This week’s most-asked question. A 32-foot fifth wheel typically has approximately 280–320 square feet of roof surface. Professional polyurea application in that range typically costs $4,500–$6,500 including prep, coating, and warranty. For a full breakdown, read our RV Roof Coating Cost Guide.
4. “We’re leaving for a 3-month trip through the Southwest next week. Is there anything I should do to the roof first?”
Yes! Specifically for the Southwest: check all lap sealant for cracks and apply fresh where needed, inspect AC unit gaskets (UV heat is hardest on rubber gaskets), verify all penetration boots are intact, and do a walk of the interior ceiling looking for any soft spots or discoloration. Full regional guidance in our State-by-State RV Roof Protection Guide.
5. “Are there RV roof applicators who will come to an RV park or campground?”
Many of our certified applicators do mobile work — they come to you with a fully equipped trailer or van rig. This is actually ideal for full-timers and people who can’t easily transport their rig. Search our locator and specifically ask about mobile services in your notes.
6. “How do I know if my roof has water damage under the coating I can’t see?”
A moisture meter is the definitive tool — it detects moisture content in the substrate without removing materials. Our roof glossary covers moisture meters. Alternatively, a professional inspection with a thermal imaging camera can identify moisture intrusion that moisture meters might miss in deep substrate layers.
7. “My dealership quoted $8,500 for a full EPDM replacement. Is that reasonable?”
That’s on the high end of reasonable for EPDM replacement but within the normal range for dealer pricing (which typically runs 20–30% higher than independent shops). Before committing, consider getting a quote for polyurea coating as an alternative — it may be in a similar price range with far better long-term performance. See our Replacement vs. Repair vs. Coating guide for the full comparison.
8. “My insurance company wants to send their own inspector. What should I know?”
Have your maintenance documentation ready — photos, dates, products used. Make sure you have an independent professional assessment from a certified applicator before the insurance inspection. Our RV Insurance and Roof Coverage guide has specific advice for the claims process.
9. “We’re full-timers looking to downsize from a Class A to a travel trailer. How does roof maintenance compare?”
Travel trailer roofs are generally smaller but often use lower-quality materials than motorhomes. The maintenance principles are identical. Read our Full-Time RV Living and Your Roof guide for full-timer-specific advice regardless of rig type.
10. “Should I coat my roof before or after adding solar panels?”
Before, ideally — this avoids having to work around panels and allows for a continuous seamless application. If you already have panels, a good applicator can work around them carefully. Full guidance in our Solar Panel Installation and Your RV Roof article.
Have a question that wasn’t covered here? Post it in our community forum — this week’s questions will appear in next week’s roundup!