2022 Micro Minnie FLX 2108TB Solar Bracket Roof Leak

[gjtravellers]

I have owned this unit since new and it has been in service since April 5th 2023. Upon general by-annual March 20th, 2026, maintenance for seals and caulking, the service center discovered a soft area on the roof beside on of the solar panels. Upon investigation the solar panels required removal and the roof skin needed to be peeled back to reveal the soft spot issue.
The service manager feels due to the extent of the mold and rotted roof section near the solar panels and the wind screen at the front of panels was likely not installed correctly at the factory. The solar L Brackets have roof sealant only on the exposed flat portion but no sealant near the joint hidden under the solar panel. It was noted that there was no additional sealant of any kind under the actual L Bracket once they were removed. When removing the skin from areas with no mold or rot, wood sticks to some of the skin making it un-salvageable.
I now have to have new plywood and skin installed. This is a very expensive repair. Of course Winnebago Dealership shuns any responsibility. It is noted that due to past service relationship with the Winnebago dealership in my area, that I use another very reputable dealership for my maintenance. Any one else with this problem?

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

Wow! That really stinks. Few years old and to have that much damage and have to trash the unit is unacceptable.
Was the unit stored outdoors where freeze/thaw may have been a factor? Or snow?

 

[gjtravellers]

Thanks for your reply.
The unit was purchased in Canada from a dealership in a Province where snow would have been a factor for the first year before I purchased it new in the spring of 2023. I live on Vancouver Island in Canada and snow is rarely a factory and not very much freeze thaw happens here. But I would think many RV trailer owners have those conditions and would assume that not everyone has heated storage for the winter months. I would hope trailers can handle those conditions.
Do you have any knowledge that these conditions might cause my kind of roof damage? I was thinking that my conditions or issues might have been experienced by others whom had Winnebago trailers with possible factory installs of these L Brackets and wind deflectors similar to mine. This trailer had a build date of May 2022.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

We have a 2024 MM2108FBS with the same L-brackets. I have not looked this year but hopefully don’t have the same problem. I do store it inside in heated storage during winter months in Massachusetts.
Do you think the back side where the bend is was the sole culprit?

 

[gjtravellers]

I think more importantly is putting Butyl underneath or some type of sealant under the LBracket before install would be the correct method. Plus sealant on the bend underside of the solar panel would be an added protection.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

Found a 3rd screw in the front L-bracket today, not liking that looks.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

Also may be something going on behind another bracket

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

Was back up there today, and very hard to see in the picture, but there is a (butyl?) black rubber patch behind the bend of the solar panel mount underneath. The kind of sealant that stays soft. I believe they put a square of that down prior to screwing it down, and some squeezed out the back of the bracket. The rest of the bracket is sealed down with white dicor all around.
Maybe they missed the pad on yours?
Bill

 

[gjtravellers]

Was back up there today, and very hard to see in the picture, but there is a (butyl?) black rubber patch behind the bend of the solar panel mount underneath. The kind of sealant that stays soft. I believe they put a square of that down prior to screwing it down, and some squeezed out the back of the bracket. The rest of the bracket is sealed down with white dicor all around.
Maybe they missed the pad on yours?
Bill

That is my issue. Yes they missed the pads under the L Brackets. They likely never did that at the factory on 2022 models.

 

[joejamma1961]

I have owned this unit since new and it has been in service since April 5th 2023. Upon general by-annual March 20th, 2026, maintenance for seals and caulking, the service center discovered a soft area on the roof beside on of the solar panels. Upon investigation the solar panels required removal and the roof skin needed to be peeled back to reveal the soft spot issue.
The service manager feels due to the extent of the mold and rotted roof section near the solar panels and the wind screen at the front of panels was likely not installed correctly at the factory. The solar L Brackets have roof sealant only on the exposed flat portion but no sealant near the joint hidden under the solar panel. It was noted that there was no additional sealant of any kind under the actual L Bracket once they were removed. When removing the skin from areas with no mold or rot, wood sticks to some of the skin making it un-salvageable.
I now have to have new plywood and skin installed. This is a very expensive repair. Of course Winnebago Dealership shuns any responsibility. It is noted that due to past service relationship with the Winnebago dealership in my area, that I use another very reputable dealership for my maintenance. Any one else with this problem?

Not sure if this is the same issue but I do remember there was a factory recall on the brackets for the solar panel I can’t remember the detail, but I know they had to reseal them

 

[gjtravellers]

Thanks for your comment.
Apparently the recall was to put butyl between the bracket and the actual solar panel to try and prevent the screws from getting loose.
No recall that I know of to add sealant under the L Bracket fixed to the trailer roof.

 

[bcborn]

Thanks for your comment.
Apparently the recall was to put butyl between the bracket and the actual solar panel to try and prevent the screws from getting loose.
No recall that I know of to add sealant under the L Bracket fixed to the trailer roof.

Yes that was the fix for loose screws falling out. My 2023 was done like that. I recently bought 2 additional Go Power expansion panels and the new style mounting brackets are "Z Shaped" rather than "L Shaped" The new "Z Brackets" are held to the panel with one bolt and a self locking nut.

In the preparation process, I found the same with the bracket to roof, there was butyl tape under the "L Bracket", but no Dicor caulking on the inside of the bracket (fold side). There was no sign of leakage at the screw hole (no rust) on the screws.

Having said that, I removed the wind deflector to get the actual measurements to replicate for the other side and to see how it was actually mounted and hole location. The holes were just under 3/8 from the leading edge and butyl tape (1") was used across the leading edge.
Self Leveling Dicor Sealant was used across the leading edge and on the sides. No Dicor was used at the fold. Pulling the 7 screws, 2 were rusted. some water would have been penetrating via two holes (no apparent damage).

The idea of Butyl Tape sealing, requires compression . With a 2" flange and holes 3/8' from one edge, I doubt you would get ideal compression across the full width of the butyl tape. Not to mention the tape was 1" wide and the flange is 2" wide. An issue I see waiting to happen.

My plan here is to utilize Dicor Liquid Butyl and place multiple beads where the flange would rest on the EPDM Roof, press the flange down to the EPDM to create full coverage of the flange area. compression would come from pressing the deflector down.

Next would be to put non sag Dicor across the 27" long fold edge and follow up with self leveling Dicor all around (360) the wind deflector, (ensuring coverage of the screws as well).

I like the idea of taking the time and whatever method works to also seal, the radiused side of the panel mounting brackets where they meet the EPDM (especially on the outed brackets as water runs down hill (right into the bracket fold). (Bill took a great picture, to showcase this area).

 

[majerus]

We just bought a 22, non flx and there is a soft spot in the roof as well. It goes in for service in two weeks. @gjtravellers did yours get fixed? If so have an approximate cost by chance you could share?

 

[majerus]

We bought a 2022 2018ds, the roof is being repaired. Seems like a similar problem