Installation of EPDM roof

[Travis Q]

We just finished the installation of our EPDM roof, and I thought I would share a few notes that would make it easier for someone else to do if they decided to go this route.

First, Geof was right about using twice as much glue as the instructions say. Thanks for the advice, Geof! using more glue makes it easier to move the rubber around after you get it down, and reduces the number of air pockets you will have.

Second, don't follow the directions about doing half the truck at once. Too much surface area to smooth out. What we came up with is this: roll out the roof on the truck before you put the glue down, and get it good and squared up (we bought more length and width than we needed so we could trim to size when we are done). Get rid of the big wrinkles by rolling it down with a dry paint roller. Then start at one end with a piece of tubing, and roll it up tight on the tubing. Then start back with the glue, and go about 3 feet at a time so it's easy to work out all the wrinkles and pockets. Using the tubing to roll the roof up on will help in keeping it straight and flat. A dry paint roller works wonders for spreading it out and getting rid of air pockets. USE LOTS OF GLUE!! Be sure that all of your screw heads are either below surface, or grind them down. We did this, but still missed a couple. Be sure all of our seams where plywood panels meet are filled with butyl rubber sealer, and are the same level so as not to create an air pocket. We spent lots of time on this. When you come to a AC or vent hole in the roof as you are gluing it down, cut a small "X" so you know where the hole is and to make it easier to walk bubbles to the hole.

This job is best done with 4 people. We did it with two, but it was not easy.

I got my roof and installation kit at PPL, and I am very happy with the product, the price, and the service they gave me. I will definitely do more business with them in the future.

Anyway, hope this helps anyone who is thinking of using an EPDM roof. Ours turned out pretty good for the first time. Thanks for everyone that gave input!!

[Gary Atsma]

Travis-
I think some fresh pix of the roof, skin, and windows are OBVIOUSLY overdue here! When a guy like yourself is putting together such a totally bitchin' rig like this one and there is NOT a steady stream of fresh illustrations of the job at hand, how the heck are we supposed to copy it weld-for-weld and glue joint-for-glue joint?
Hey, forgive the razzin' and rest in the knowledge that most of us are chompin' at the bit to see how it's all goin' together. Keep us updated when you can.
Gary

[spooner]

yes, i agree:




Travis; thanks for the tips im sure i will need them very soon (i plan to use the EPDM too)

[Travis Q]

Sorry for the lack of pix fellas....I will remedy that, as soon as I find my danged camera (I just moved into a house and I can't find squat). Well, since my last post a couple hours ago, we got the roof airs installed,and the whole thing turned out pretty good. The roof is real nasty right now because of our dirty shoes! All in all, we are happy with the results.

Travis

[Gary Atsma]

Man, this is getting to be one hot thread with not one, but TWO awesome rigs going together right before our eyes. What an awesome website!!!

[KAYE RIVERCITY]

....at least you got a camera and know how to do pix on the site....I had to get a guy in Md to put up the pix for me. One thing I really need to learn is how to do the pix thing.....I'll add it to the list....Maggie will be back Monday[I think] and she will tell me what I need-or maybe Levitra knows how to do this 'puter thing. I can't trust Spencer to lead me in the right direction-even though he knows more than the girls-he buys what he wants to borrow and t hen he doesn't return it till I follow him home and get it myself.....the guy is ADHD so I get twice as much work out of him-but he can't remember what he does with tools and other things......geofkaye