Fixing Pop Up Camper Leaks - How to Do It Yourself

Owning an older pop up camper will quickly introduce you to the world of DIY repairs. When we purchased our little pop up camper, Peggy Sue, she was already 16 years old. She was in decent shape, but like any older camper, there was wear and tear that needed attention.

One of our biggest early projects was repairing a leaking pop up camper roof seam.

When I originally wrote this post, we were brand-new pop up camper owners trying to figure out the best way to stop a leak before it damaged all of the work we had already done inside. We chose to repair the center roof seam with Eternabond.

Years later, I can finally give you the long-term update: it worked.

We had no issues with our Eternabond repair, and I would absolutely use Eternabond again. However, after years of RV ownership and many more DIY projects, there is another option I would investigate today: replacing damaged seams and components with RV-specific replacement parts when they are available.

Finding the Leak in Our Pop Up Camper Roof

When we bought our camper, we actually looked at it in the rain. There were some previous patches, but we didn't see any active leaks.

Then, just after we finished working on the camper, we discovered one.

The silicone patch along the center roof seam was allowing water inside. We had trips already scheduled and didn't want water damage to undo all of the work we had completed inside the camper, so we needed to make a repair quickly.

I started researching how to repair a leaking pop up camper roof and discovered there were plenty of opinions about the "right" way to do it.

There seemed to be two camps: repair the seam with a product like Eternabond or rebuild the seam using replacement RV parts.

At the time, we chose Eternabond. It wasn't because we didn't want to make a more traditional repair. Given our skill set, tools and available time, Eternabond made sense for us.

And now that years have passed, I can say that it turned out to be a very successful repair.

Step 1: Remove the Old Pop Up Camper Roof Seam

My husband started by removing the existing center seam running down the middle of the roof.

This took some time because underneath it were screws, old putty, silicone and years of previous patching. The original seam had served its purpose, but portions of it had become brittle, cracked and completely loose.

The original middle seam had been patched over the years. In places it was cracking, brittle and completely loose.

Step 2: Clean and Prepare the Roof

Once the seam was removed, my husband used a Stanley Chalk Reel to mark two inches on either side of the center seam.

This gave us a four-inch work area for cleaning the roof and applying the sealing tape.

Removing the old putty, adhesive and silicone was one of the most important parts of this project. We used Goo Gone Pro-Power and a scraper to remove the remaining residue.

We used Goo Gone and a scraper to remove the remaining putty and silicone so we could create a clean surface for the repair.

We also used a 3M Paint and Rust Stripper Brush within the four-inch area to remove old paint and stubborn residue.

Our goal was simple: get the surface as clean and smooth as possible before installing the Eternabond.

The brush attachment on the drill helped give us a clean surface to work with before sealing the seam.

Next, we thoroughly cleaned the area along the edges and down the center with acetone.

Surface preparation isn't the glamorous part of an RV roof repair, but I believe it was one of the reasons ours held up so well.

Step 3: Replace and Seal the Screws

We replaced the existing screws along the center seam with stainless steel screws.

Because the original center strip was not going back onto the roof, we used shorter screws. We also put Gorilla 100% Silicone Sealant on the screws as part of our original repair to help create a watertight seal.

We replaced the old screws and sealed them as part of creating a watertight center seam.

Step 4: Apply Eternabond to the Roof Seam

Once everything was clean and prepared, we applied Eternabond over the center seam.

You can find white Eternabond RV roof repair tape, but we used aluminum because we planned to paint the roof afterward.

One complaint I saw repeatedly when researching the project was that Eternabond wasn't the prettiest solution. My priority was different. I wanted a dry camper.

I could live with seeing a repaired seam on the roof. I couldn't live with water coming into the camper.

We worked in small sections and applied plenty of pressure while smoothing the tape down. Taking our time helped us get a good seal without wrinkles or gaps.

The aluminum roofing tape was easy to apply. We worked in small sections and used plenty of pressure to create a good seal.

Step 5: Paint and Seal the Pop Up Camper Roof

After applying the tape, we painted the roof white.

If you're coating an RV roof, make sure the product you choose is appropriate for your particular roof material. We used a roof coating as part of this project, and Dicor Elastomeric Metal RV Roof Coating is one RV roof product to consider for compatible roof types.

The white coating also helped conceal the aluminum repair. After two coats, the center strip blended into the rest of the roof surprisingly well.

Two coats of white roof coating concealed the aluminum tape and gave the roof a fresh, clean finish.

As a final step, I sealed other areas and edges of the roof with Dicor Lap Sealant.

Checking your roof, seams, seals and caulking regularly is an important part of RV maintenance. Catching a small problem before water gets inside can save you from a much bigger repair later.

Did Our Eternabond Pop Up Camper Roof Repair Hold Up?

Yes!

Right after we completed this project, we had torrential rain. The inside of the camper was completely dry.

More importantly, now that years have passed since we originally made this repair, I can say that we had no issues with the Eternabond repair.

I would use Eternabond again.

I believe one of the biggest reasons the repair worked so well was the amount of preparation we did beforehand. We didn't simply put tape over an old leaking seam. We removed the original strip, old adhesive, putty and silicone and created a clean surface before installing the new material.

Finished! Our Eternabond roof seam repair held up and kept the camper dry.

Would I Repair a Pop Up Camper Roof This Way Again?

Yes, but there is something I would do differently today.

I would still feel completely comfortable using Eternabond for an RV roof repair. We had a great experience with it, and our repair held up.

However, after owning campers for years and learning much more about RV repair, I would research replacement RV parts before deciding how to complete the repair.

If the correct replacement roof seam, trim, seal or other component were available for my camper, I would seriously consider replacing the original parts. For a restoration project, using RV-specific replacement components may provide a more original and permanent solution than removing the original assembly and replacing it with repair tape.

Where to Find Pop Up Camper Replacement Parts

One resource I would recommend checking is Pop-Up Parts.

Finding parts for an older pop up camper can be one of the hardest parts of a DIY restoration. A specialty supplier like Pop-Up Parts is worth checking when you need components for an older camper and can't simply walk into a local RV store and find what you need.

If I were tackling this roof project today, I would start by looking for the appropriate replacement seam and roof components for my specific camper. I would compare that option with an Eternabond repair and decide which approach made the most sense for the condition of the camper, the availability of parts and the scope of the project.

When shopping for replacement parts for an older pop up, know your camper's manufacturer, model and year, and take careful measurements of the original component before ordering. Older campers can vary, and you want to make sure the replacement part will work for your particular application.

Eternabond or Replacement Parts: Which Is Better?

I don't think our original repair was wrong. In fact, the years since completing this project proved that it worked very well for us.

Instead, I think there are simply more options to consider.

Eternabond can make sense when you need a durable repair, the original components are difficult to find, or replacing the entire assembly isn't practical.

Replacement RV parts can make sense when the correct components are available and you want to restore the roof closer to its original construction.

If I were doing this project again, I would investigate both before making the final decision.

What This Pop Up Camper Taught Us

We bought Peggy Sue inexpensively because we wanted to try family camping with a fixer-upper before spending a lot of money on a newer RV. We learned an incredible amount from that little camper.

There were definitely moments when we wondered whether we were doing things the "right" way. Veteran campers can have very strong opinions about repairs! But one thing RV ownership has taught me is that you have to research the options, understand your camper and make the decision that works for your situation.

This particular decision worked.

Years later, I'm glad I can come back to this post and say that the Eternabond repair wasn't just a quick fix that survived the first rainstorm. It held up.

Would I use Eternabond again? Absolutely.

Would I also look for the original-style replacement parts first? Absolutely.

And that is probably the biggest update I can give anyone finding this old post while standing beside a leaking pop up camper of their own: research both options before you start tearing things apart.

Older campers can be repaired, restored and enjoyed for years. Sometimes it just takes a little research, a willingness to tackle a DIY project and the right parts or products to get the job done.

Happy camping!

Looking for parts for an older pop up camper?
Visit Pop-Up Parts to browse replacement parts and components for pop up camper repair and restoration projects.

This post shares our personal experience repairing our camper. RV roof construction and materials vary by manufacturer and model, so always confirm that the products and repair methods you use are compatible with your specific RV.

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