RV Roof Replacement PART 1: Removal of Fixtures

RV Roof Replacement

PART 1: REMOVAL OF FIXTURES

This following posts include our experience replacing the roof on a class A motorhome (2013 Coachmen Pursuit 33BH). Please use this as a general guide on what to expect when replacing a roof, and also please exercise caution as this is not an easy task for the average DIY'er.

Removal of roof Fixtures (fans, skylight, antenna, satellite, A/V unit)

Before removing the roof membrane you need to remove all of the fixtures. Some are easy to remove, but some (such as the AC unit) were extremely challenging and required 2 people to remove from the roof. Using a paint spatula, we carefully lifted underneath the lap sealant to expose the screws holding each fixture in place. Then, we placed the screws into label sandwich bags so that we could remember where they go later on (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT SO PLEASE ALSO DO THIS!). We also made sure to take LOTS of pictures from various angles so that if there were any question later on how things fit we could refer to those. Do not skimp on the photos- trust me!

We also made sure to label each bag with "INSIDE" and "OUTSIDE" because the hardware inside the RV was different from the ones on the outside. For example, for the bedroom ceiling fan we had both an "outside ceiling fan hardware" and "inside ceiling fan hardware" bag so that we could distinguish the two.

We started with removing the bathroom vent covers to expose the PVC pipes underneath.

Lifting up old lap sealant with a razor blade prior to using a paint scraper to remove the rest

Next, we tackled the FanTastic vent that was in the rear bedroom. As mentioned above, we made sure to keep the hardware for the inside and outside of the fan in separate labeled baggies.

Fantastic fan ready for removal

After removal of the rear bedroom fan, we went to the Satellite antenna. We made sure to take lots of pictures of this one because we knew we'd have lots of questions when it came time to reinstall it.

Satellite prior to removal

The absolute biggest challenge was removing the A/C unit. It is HEAVY. After removing the plastic cover, we made sure to take lots of pictures of the interior so that it would be connected correctly upon reinstall. We noticed a random wire sticking into the metal piece that resembled a comb and made note to do the exact thing upon reinstall. The A/C unit was connected to the inside trim piece by four very long bolts that are screwed on from the inside. It took two people to do this- one on the roof and one inside removing the bolts. The person on the roof then disconnected the wires to the A/C, making sure to take pictures for reinstallation. It was very heavy, so it took 2 people to lift off the hole to be set aside. 

Inside of a Dometic A/C unit

Dometic A/C unit wiring

Dometic A/C unit wiring

A/C unit disconnected and ready to be brought to the ground

We then moved to the bathroom fan and skylight. These were fairly easy to remove. As we removed the fixtures, we dropped them through the rear bedroom fan hole onto the bed below so that we didn't have to take many trips up and down the ladder. 

Rear vent and bathroom fan removed

Inside view of bathroom skylight before removal

Inside of RV skylight removed

In total, on our RV, we removed the ceiling fan, bathroom fan, bathroom skylight, the 2 roof vents, satellite antenna, radio antenna, and AC unit. The AC unit was extremely heavy, and required some shady methods to lower to the ground but we managed to do it using a comforter, ratchet straps, and a minivan whose roof served as our scaffolding so that we lowered it only 6 feet at a time. 

Our first attempt at getting the A/C unit off the roof (it didn't work)

This is the end of Part 1- Part 2 is removal of termination bars, corner trim, and side trim.