FAQs

There are clear warning signs your RV roof needs professional attention: water stains on the ceiling or walls, soft spots when you walk on the roof, visible cracking or crazing in the roof membrane, bubbling or delamination of interior wall panels, or seams and sealant that have pulled away from the edges. If you catch these early, a targeted repair is often all you need.

If the damage is widespread — covering more than 25–30% of the roof surface, or if the substrate (the wood decking underneath) is rotted — a full replacement is usually more cost-effective long-term. When in doubt, bring your RV in for a free roof inspection. We'll give you an honest diagnosis, not the most expensive option.

EPDM (rubber): The most common RV roof material. Flexible, affordable, and durable in most climates. Requires periodic resealing — typically every 1–3 years — to prevent UV and weather-related cracking at the seams. If you're not sure what kind of roof you have, chances are it's EPDM.

TPO (thermoplastic): A white, heat-reflective membrane that's increasingly used on newer rigs. TPO is more resistant to UV damage and is generally easier to keep clean. It's heat-welded at the seams rather than glued, which creates a very durable bond when installed correctly.

Fiberglass: Found on higher-end motorhomes. Extremely durable and resistant to impact, but can crack around seams and edges over time and is more expensive to repair or replace than rubber roofing. Each type has a different repair process, and our technicians are experienced with all three.

For most EPDM rubber roofs, we recommend inspecting all seams, edges, and roof penetrations (vents, skylights, antennas) at least once a year — and resealing wherever you see cracking, shrinkage, or separation. In San Diego's climate, UV exposure is the primary enemy. Even if your roof looks fine, the sealant around penetrations should be replaced every 1–3 years as a preventive measure.

The most expensive RV roof repair we see is one that was ignored for two or three seasons. A $150 tube of sealant applied on time can prevent a $4,000 interior repair bill later. We offer a quick roof reseal service and can walk you through what to watch for going forward.

Rhino roof coating is a spray-applied protective membrane — similar in concept to Rhino truck bed liner — that bonds directly to your existing RV roof. It creates a seamless, watertight barrier that is highly resistant to UV damage, punctures, and thermal expansion. Unlike traditional sealants that need to be reapplied every few years, a properly applied Rhino coating can last well over a decade with minimal maintenance.

SD RV Center is one of the few Rhino-certified RV shops in San Diego. We recommend it for RVs with older EPDM roofs that are showing early deterioration but don't yet need a full replacement — it's a cost-effective way to extend your roof's life by 10+ years. Call us to find out if your RV is a good candidate.

Here's a realistic breakdown by job type:

Resealing and minor repairs: Same day to 1 business day. Partial section repair or soft spot fix: 1–3 business days depending on how much substrate damage is underneath. Full EPDM or TPO roof replacement: 2–5 business days for most rigs. Fiberglass roof work or extensive water damage repair: Can take 5–10+ business days.

We know your RV is more than a vehicle — it's how you live and travel. We give you honest timelines upfront and call you immediately if something changes. Our shop is conveniently located off Interstate 8, making drop-off and pickup straightforward for San Diego County residents.

It depends on your policy and the cause of damage. Roof damage caused by a sudden event — a falling tree branch, hail, or a collision — is typically covered under your comprehensive or collision coverage. Damage that results from long-term wear, deferred maintenance, or gradual water intrusion is generally not covered.

We work with RV insurance claims regularly and can help you navigate the process. We provide detailed written damage assessments that your adjuster needs to process the claim. If you've just experienced a weather event or road damage, call us first — we'll document everything correctly so your claim goes smoothly.

Delamination happens when water gets between the layers of your RV's wall or roof panels — typically the outer skin, the foam insulation, and the interior paneling — causing them to separate and bubble. You'll notice it as a wavy or bubbling appearance on the exterior walls, or soft, spongy sections when you press on them. It's usually caused by a slow leak that went undetected for months or years.

Repair involves removing the affected panels, drying out the substrate, replacing damaged insulation, and reinstalling or replacing the exterior skin. Early-stage delamination is far more affordable to fix than advanced cases where the structural integrity of the wall is compromised. If you see bubbling on your exterior walls, bring it in — the longer you wait, the bigger the repair bill.

Slide-out problems are one of the most common issues we see in the shop. The most frequent causes are: a dead or weak motor, stripped gears in the slide mechanism, misaligned rails that cause the slide to bind, a blown fuse or wiring fault in the slide's electrical circuit, or hydraulic fluid issues on hydraulic-powered slides. In some cases, it's as simple as a bad connection or a tripped breaker.

Because a stuck slide can make your RV unusable — especially if it won't retract for travel — we prioritize these repairs. Bring your rig in or call us and describe what you're hearing and seeing. We can often diagnose the issue over the phone and have parts staged before you arrive. Slide-out repairs typically run $200–$1,500 depending on what's failed.

Yes — RV AC repair is one of our most-requested services, especially heading into San Diego summers. Common causes include a frozen evaporator coil (usually from a dirty air filter or low refrigerant), a failed capacitor or compressor, a wiring fault, or a thermostat that's gone bad. In some cases the unit is running but not cooling efficiently because the gasket between the AC unit and the roof has dried out and is letting warm air in.

We work on all major RV AC brands including Dometic, Coleman-Mach, and Advent Air. If your AC is making noise, not blowing cold, or not turning on at all, call us and we'll run a diagnostic. We'll tell you honestly whether a repair makes sense or whether it's time to replace the unit.

General auto mechanics are trained on cars and trucks. RVs are a completely different animal — they combine automotive systems with residential plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and structural components that most auto shops have never worked on. Taking your RV to a general shop for a roof leak or slide-out problem is like taking your boat to a tire shop. You need someone who knows what they're looking at.

SD RV Center has been working exclusively on RVs since 1990. Our technicians have seen every make, model, and failure mode. We're also significantly faster and more affordable than dealerships, which often have 4–6 week wait times and flat-rate labor charges that don't reflect actual job complexity. We give you a fair estimate, do the work right, and stand behind it.

We're conveniently located off Interstate 8 and serve all of San Diego County. Customers regularly bring their RVs to us from El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Alpine, Lemon Grove, Chula Vista, Mission Valley, East San Diego, and throughout the greater metro area. Our location is easy to access from both the East County freeways and the I-8 corridor.

If you're not sure whether the drive is worth it, call us first. In most cases, customers from East County and South Bay tell us the trip to our shop is faster than the wait time they'd experience at a dealership service center. We work hard to get your rig in and out as quickly as possible.

The honest answer: repair when the damage is localized and the roof membrane is otherwise in good condition. Replace when the membrane is brittle or cracked across a wide area, the decking underneath is soft or rotted in multiple spots, or when a series of targeted repairs would cost more than 50–60% of a full replacement.

A full replacement also makes sense if your RV is newer and worth protecting long-term — a new roof adds years to the vehicle's useful life and protects the interior against the most costly type of damage (water intrusion). We'll lay out both options with honest pricing and let you decide. We're not going to push a replacement if a repair will do the job.

We do our best to accommodate urgent situations. If you've just discovered a roof leak before a trip, your slide-out is stuck in a dangerous position, or you're dealing with an electrical issue that makes the RV unusable, call us directly and explain the situation. We'll tell you honestly whether we can work you in the same day or next morning based on what we have in the shop.

We're not a 24/7 mobile service, but our shop is open Monday through Saturday and we keep a flexible schedule for repairs that can't wait. The best thing you can do in an emergency is call us as early in the day as possible — the earlier we know, the more likely we can get you in.

We recommend a full service check at least once a year — ideally before peak season in spring. A standard annual inspection covers: roof condition and sealant, slide-out operation and seal condition, electrical system and battery health, propane system and appliance operation (water heater, refrigerator, furnace), plumbing and water pump, tire pressure and condition, and brake/chassis inspection.

Think of it the same way you think about maintaining your home. The systems in your RV are constantly exposed to road vibration, UV, moisture, and temperature swings. Catching a small problem during a scheduled inspection costs a fraction of repairing it after it fails on the road. We offer a comprehensive pre-trip inspection service — call us to schedule before your next adventure.