Hello and roof caulking question

marzipan42

Hi Everyone,

Just found this forum - my wife and I have a 2010 T@B TQ trailer that we got used a couple years ago and we love it!  Pic below.  We live just outside Seattle.

I've noticed that the black weather stripping along the side edges of the roof is coming loose - looks like it needs to be re-caulked.  The weather stripping itself looks fine.  I was wondering if anyone has any tips, advice, or product recommendations for cleaning off the old fossilized caulk without damaging the roof?  Also, what is a good caulk to use when I redo it?

If there's a better category to put this question in, let me know.

Thanks a lot!

Asa

Grumpy_G

Fun fact: The contrasting plastic pieces are ornamental, early in the Dutchman days there was a "T2" model that didn't even have those (see https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/8323/2004-dutchmen-built-t-b-t2-camper). In Germany they still make a similar version today. 
On my later 2015 there is no caulking between the roof and the black strip simply because it isn't really needed. The trim is held on with the screws that also hold the keder rail, you could remove a few screws at the seam on top and carefully (!!!!) lift the trim to have a peek how it looks underneath it. 

marzipan42

Interesting - they must have changed between 2010 and 2015, because mine seems like it really is held on with the caulk.

Slackers

We just replaced ours with the product below, so can't vouch for its longevity. The product is described as heavy duty but its pliable and thus easy to install.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YJHYT4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

marzipan42

Thanks!  You have a newer Tab than I do, so is yours also held on with screws and doesn't need caulk?

Slackers

Ours are held on by screws. The rail has twice as many holes as screws. All of the unused holes are filled with caulk. Note the unused holes in the metal do not penetrate the roof.

pthomas745

Show us a photo of a close up example of the "trim" being discussed.  This issue is ongoing since forever, but there can be confusion with references to "trim".  The ABS plastic "trim?"  The rubber "trim strip? that lays along the ABS "trim"?  Many owners have simply re-glued the "rubber trim strip" back into place.  As @Grumpy_G points out, the "trim" (either one!) is cosmetic.  This thread is one of many discussing this sort of thing.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/6652/rubber-seals-and-plastic-trim/p1

marzipan42

Here's a photo of what I mean - it's the black rubber strips that are coming off.  I haven't had a chance to read through the other thread you mentioned yet, but I definitely will.  Thanks!

Slackers

We have a CS. It does not have the wide white trim shown on the left of your photo, but does have the thinner black trim.
Also there's caulk on each side of the metal trim piece

marzipan42

Thanks for the responses everybody!  I finally read through the thread that @pthomas745 pointed to.  I think I mostly have the issue of the rubber U channel coming off the colored plastic trim.  I glued it back on with Shoe Goo and will see how that holds up.  Cheers!