Flat top vs. round top

[New Hope]

Hello to everyone.  My first post.  We're considering the purchase of a cargo trailer for conversion purposes.  My question is regarding round top vs. flat top (usually v-nose) trailers.  There usually is a difference in enterior heights between the two types.  Outside of height difference, has anyone experenced any trouble with rain leaking in around the seam with the flat top?  Obviously, the round top wound shed rain better.  Any considerations?

 

[drysailor]

Flat could be better for solar.

 

[user 423]

Flat could be better for solar.

Example:

 

[closeanuf]

Curved roof with roof rack for solar.  I don't think I would ever mount solar panels directly to the roof, curved or flat.  Flat roofs are going to leak!  Curved roofs can leak too if you are careless, but a flat roof is going to leak!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  You may have to look for a curved roof with a      v-nose and they are not cheap, but I know they are out there because my neighbor has on.  If you're looking for cheap the roof will be flat and it may have other cheap materials.  YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

 

[user 423]

...a flat roof is going to leak!!!!

Do you say this because of personal experience?

 

[GypsyDogs]

Do you say this because of personal experience?

Don't know about them.. but I will .. Mine was a sieve... The roof seam and wall supports essentially make a shallow swimming pool on your roof. I'll let your imagination fill in the rest.

 

[GypsyDogs]

https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=20072

mod edit, the above link is to GypsyDogs thread on her cargo trailer. please post a description with your links.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

I prefer flat roofs on cargo trailers, but i'd only buy one where the manufacturer uses a one piece aluminum roof, that way there is virtually no way for it to leak other than through cut outs in the roof for things like fans and cables for solar, etc.

99% of the time a trailer won't be sitting perfectly level anyways, so water is going to run off in which ever direction the trailer is out of level, even just a few degrees out of level and water will run right off. When I store them, I just raise the front jack a little higher and water will run right down and off the back.

 

[New Hope]

Thanks, everyone for your input.

 

[MrNoodly]

A flat roof is easier to insulate.

 

[kaBLOOnie Boonster]

I have been using a new flat roof for over 3 years now, full time. No leaks. (Look Trailers.)

The original poster was not asking about this but I can't resist seconding other commenters in saying that attaching solar panels and insulating are easy with a flat roof.

 

[karl]

Flat, one piece.

 

[tx2sturgis]

I bought one with the 'barrel roof' and I like that design, however, it does complicate solar installation and adding roof vents. But I just prefer the interior 'feel' and it gives me a bit more headroom.

No leaks tho!

 

[New Hope]

I don't know that I prefer the looks of a flat or round roof, but I'm 6'1" (and shrinking) and, from the ones I've been in, the flat roofs seem to be rather confining.  I believe a one piece metal roof, flat or round, would be the prefered choice.

 

[rebar]

I prefer flat roofs on cargo trailers,  but i'd only buy one where the manufacturer uses a one piece aluminum roof,  that way there is virtually no way for it to leak other than through cut outs in the roof for things like fans and cables for solar, etc.  

I can personal say this is not true.. 

I had a 24' featherlite surv toyhauler with a one piece aluminum roof..  It was riveted to the extruded 1/4 round aluminum top edge.  The seam location was mostly low spots collecting water right where it shouldn't collect!   I chased leaks in that trailer until the day I sold it and now wont buy a trailer with flat roof, one piece or not. 

It needs to be rounded and be one piece all the way OVER the side wall like this.

 

[johnny b]

...  Flat roofs are going to leak!  Curved roofs can leak too if you are careless, but a flat roof is going to leak!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  ...

Not necessarily!

My old Pace American has a flat roof...never leaked in the 15 years I had it, and hasn't leaked for my racing buddy I sold it to.
Survived these evergreens that laid down on it during a blizzard, and my fat ass that spring standing on it to cut those trees back.

 

[rebar]

Not necessarily!

My old Pace American has a flat roof...never leaked in the 15 years I had it, and hasn't leaked for my racing buddy I sold it to.
Survived these evergreens that laid down on it during a blizzard, and my fat ass that spring standing on it to cut those trees back.

  I removed all the roof sealant on that 24' featherlite and redid it with Geocel proflex.  Then the windows started leaking. :-/

3m extreme sealing tape looks nice but not sure on the removal compared to mineral spirits for the proflex.

Johnny, consider yourself lucky with your trailer.  Mine got so wet, so many times it was getting to me and I sold and used the "its to big" reason to justify the sale.  Might have been due to the fact I beat the snot out of that trailer with a CTD TV.

 

[ben2go]

Use this Henry elasto fabric tape to seal seams or any possible leaks.
https://www.amazon.com/Henry-HE2961...cl-20&linkId=a1dd63e993436225ce89444c6e551e9b

Then seal the entire roof with their elastomeric coating.
https://www.amazon.com/HE287SF046-S...cl-20&linkId=e7127052d874e01cb8b551b23f5051b0

I've never had a leak return but I also give the roof a quick spraying off and recoat every 5 or 6 years.