Roof Delamination Issue??

mrodACE32B

New Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2024
Messages
2
Location
Bothell
Hello, I'm new here.
I purchased a 2023 Thor ACE 32B recently. As I was cleaning my RV roof, I noticed spots where the rubber roof seemed to have "bubble" spots in several areas. It seems to me that the rubber roof material is beginning to delaminate from the substrate. I took it into Camping World who in turn submitted a request for a claim against the 6-year delamination warranty.
Thor rejected the claim, replying that the "air pockets" in the membrane have "nothing to do with adhesion". Rather they said "we believe some type of chemical caused these clusters". I disagree with Thor's assessment. I do think this is an adhesion process issue that is causing these "air pockets" or bubbles.
Has anyone else had a problem like this under warranty? If so, what did you do or what should I do?
 
Hello, I'm new here.
I purchased a 2023 Thor ACE 32B recently. As I was cleaning my RV roof, I noticed spots where the rubber roof seemed to have "bubble" spots in several areas. It seems to me that the rubber roof material is beginning to delaminate from the substrate. I took it into Camping World who in turn submitted a request for a claim against the 6-year delamination warranty.
Thor rejected the claim, replying that the "air pockets" in the membrane have "nothing to do with adhesion". Rather they said "we believe some type of chemical caused these clusters". I disagree with Thor's assessment. I do think this is an adhesion process issue that is causing these "air pockets" or bubbles.
Has anyone else had a problem like this under warranty? If so, what did you do or what should I do?

You don't have a rubber roof; it is likely TPO.
TPO roofs are prone to wrinkles and bubbles; many people here have written about it.
The "delamination" warranty is a sidewall thing, not a roof thing.
Check your roof seams as per required maintenance and update with lap sealant or eternabond tape as desired.
 
Do a forum search for Judges Eternabond challenge. Follow those instructions... Regardless of what your roof LOOKS like (wrinkles, bubbles etc.) if it isn't leaking now, the full Eternabond application will prevent leaks AND eliminate the PIA of applying lap sealant. Just wash your roof a few times a year, and of course inspect it... and you're good. And NO you don't need to remove the existing globs of lap sealant... just apply the Eternabond directly over it. It's not a roof aesthetics contest... it's waterproofing!!
 
You don't have a rubber roof; it is likely TPO.
TPO roofs are prone to wrinkles and bubbles; many people here have written about it.
The "delamination" warranty is a sidewall thing, not a roof thing.
Check your roof seams as per required maintenance and update with lap sealant or eternabond tape as desired.

Thanks!! I've reviewed the other threads regarding the TPO bubbling. I see many others agree it is a poor construction process issue which Thor will not own up to and repair. However, it does not seem to be a big issue if no leaks have occurred. But something to watch. Thanks for your feedback!
 
Last edited:
Be aware that there is no adhesive underneath every square inch of the TPO roof, just mostly underneath seams. This lets the whole roof flex. I have noticed bubbles on my 2021 Axis’ roof and they seem to move around probably due to the sun heating and expanding it.

So, what you are seeing is entirely normal. Camping world should know this, but hey it’s Camping World, right!

David
 
You'll eventually discover that your floor covering isn't completely glued down either! 50/50 chance you'll find a "bubble" in that also
 
In 2024 did Thor change any part of how their building the roof on the Axis? This is their description:
Vacu-Bond Laminated Roof, Walls & Floors with Block Foam Insulation. One-Piece Fiberglass Front Cap. TPO Upper Rear Cap. Premium One-piece Crossflex™ Roof.
 
In 2024 did Thor change any part of how their building the roof on the Axis? This is their description:
Vacu-Bond Laminated Roof, Walls & Floors with Block Foam Insulation. One-Piece Fiberglass Front Cap. TPO Upper Rear Cap. Premium One-piece Crossflex™ Roof.

Short answer... no. If you ever remove a ceiling fan you can see a cross-section of exactly how the roof sandwich is made. Block foam glued to thin plywood and covered with a membrane on top... usually TPO or fiberglass. The inside ceiling is a textured vinyl glued to the other side of the foam. Aluminum cross members form the support structure.
 

New posts

Try RV LIFE Pro Free for 7 Days

  • New Ad-Free experience on this RV LIFE Community.
  • Plan the best RV Safe travel with RV LIFE Trip Wizard.
  • Navigate with our RV Safe GPS mobile app.
  • and much more...
Try RV LIFE Pro Today
Back
Top