RV Do-it-yourselfers use butyl and putty tapes to seal the underside of flanges on roof vents, windows, drip caps, etc. -- any application where a metal or plastic flange of a component is being screwed down onto a roof or sidewall on your motorhome or travel trailer.

Putty Tape

Putty tape is pretty much what it sounds like it would be, simply putty formed in a rolled "tape" configuration. It is a sticky material used on surfaces between windows and sidewalls, roof vents and roofs, and anywhere else where a seal tape moisture gasket is required to seal out the water. Any time you install trim metal, a new roof access ladder, and just about anywhere else you will penetrate the outside surface of your rig, you will need this gunk on a roll.

The disadvantage of using putty tape in an RV application is that it dries out more quickly than butyl tape. Also, putty tape is not recommended for sealing components to an RV EPDM rubber roof. Therefore, most RV repair professionals use butyl tape as opposed to putty tape for better results long term.


Butyl Tape


Butyl Tape

Butyl rubber tape costs more (nearly twice as much) than butyl tape and is more difficult to work with, but it does not dry out as quickly. While you can use putty tape on sidewalls, you should use butyl tape exclusively on an EPDM rubber roof. This is because the putty tape is made from petroleum and will leach petroleum products onto the EPDM rubber membrane, potentially damaging it.

Butyl tape is made synthetically and is solvent-based, so it will not emit the same harmful chemicals onto your roof. Also, butyl tapes are less sensitive to a loss of effectiveness due to high heat, like you would find on a roof exposed to the sun and its UV rays.

Butyl tapes also remain more flexible when it is cold and more stable when it gets hot than natural rubber seal tape like putty tape. Butyl tapes are very durable and flex well with the movement of the coach when you are traveling down the road. This maintains an airtight bond between components and the RV.

Butyl tape has excellent adhesion as well, so much so that the tape roll comes with a paper liner so that the layers of the roll do not bond to each other.

What Are the Advantages of Butyl Tapes?

Advantages:

  • A strong initial tack— has a more aggressive hold on contact than acrylic adhesives
  • Has a high level of adhesion because it bonds to a huge variety of surfaces
  • Air impermeable
  • The high degree of waterproofness, ideal for RV uses

Disadvantages:

  • More expensive than Putty Tape
  • Does not hold up over time to direct exposure to UV light or chemicals
  • Susceptible to oxidation and may darken or discolor

Neither of the final two disadvantages is generally an issue when using butyl tape for RV applications. In most cases, the butyl tape installation is covered with another sealant on the top of the installed flange or frame.

RV Part Shop Sealing Tapes and Sealants

We carry all the types of butyl and putty tapes required by RV owners in a variety of lengths, thicknesses, and colors. We also carry Dicor lap sealant for application over installed items on your RV roof, as well as ProFlex sealant, recommended for vertical surfaces like window or door installations.

About RV Part Shop - Our RV Part Store & RV Shop 

RV Accessories, Marine Parts, Camping & Outdoor 

RV Part Shop was born from the idea that RV owners should be able to get RV parts online easily and inexpensively. Let us be your parts department because we have the most comprehensive parts store online. We offer parts to fit all vehicles from all RV manufacturers. For your smaller vehicle we also have a wide selection of truck and auto parts.

Purchasing parts from RV Part Shop is better than buying from RV dealers. Those brick-and-mortar dealers have the competing interests of unit sales and service. We deal in parts for motorhomes and travel trailers exclusively. Our focus is on getting you the right part or accessory to fit your needs at the best possible price.

Nationwide RV Service

Local customers consistently tell us that we're the best place for owners of RVs to purchase parts. We are a proud member of the RV industry because we serve customers across the country and even internationally.

We operate two sites to serve customers:  www.rvpartshop.com serves customers in the USA from sixteen different warehouses.  Canadian and international customers can purchase parts at www.rvpartshop.ca, which supplies our customers from seven warehouses across Canada including to RV owners in Calgary for RV parts. Travel trailer owners shop with us to get Edmonton RV parts. We're also trusted as the best source for RV accessories in Edmonton customers and RV Parts in Calgary. Closer to home, local camping enthusiasts shop here for their RVs in Barrie.

Even though we might be far away, we are trusted by customers for RV Parts in Kelowna. RV Part Shop also enjoys the confidence of customers looking for camping, outdoor, and RV supplies in Edmonton. We're actually one of the top RV stores in Calgary and also a preferred RV store in Edmonton.

Customers looking for used RV parts in Edmonton shop with us. We offer the most economical alternative to save you money when used parts are not available. Searching for RV wreckers in Ontario? Call us, we will get you just the part you need, clean, shiny and guaranteed not to fail.

Good used RV parts in Canada are sometimes hard to find because RVs are difficult and costly to disassemble. Don't worry, though, we always have lots of stock of the most popular items. We can also access over 2,000,000 RV parts directly from RV Manufacturers on your behalf, often with a quick turnaround.

If you're searching for used trailer parts in Ontario, don't look for young farts with RV Parts, RV Part Shop is the better alternative.

RV Products and Services We Offer

We have the most comprehensive parts and accessories selection for your RV online. We combine that with exceptional customer service, fast free shipping, and easy returns.

Our RV parts catalog online is a great way to browse all the great products we carry. You can review our product selection quickly and easily in a digital book format. It is an RV superstore catalog, the most comprehensive and informative in the industry. If you are looking for a travel trailer parts catalog, it is well worth checking out.

We are also an RV parts wholesale supplier, offering our RV and Camping Industry Partner program. This program is available to qualify mobile RV repair shops, RV dealers, campgrounds, and RV parks. We have RV supplies for resale or RV repair at additional discounts for those businesses.

If you are looking for trailer parts in Canada or the USA, RV Part Shop is the place to shop. If you are looking for class A motorhome parts, RV Part Shop offers the widest selection of products for your needs. We also carry the trailer accessories you need to enjoy your time in outdoors.

If you have something smaller, We've got what you need in Coleman trailer parts. We also serve owners of Fleetwood RV vehicles, Jayco trailers, and camping trailer accessories.

For family camping, we have a complete supply of pop-up trailer parts. We also carry tent trailer accessories and parts for your pop-up camper too.

Our sale items include the best items of RV surplus in the USA and Canada. We ship our parts and accessories from a large network of 23 RV warehouses continent-wide. If you're looking for "RV parts near me" online, we're almost in your neighborhood.

Our RV Product Lines

Our catalog is as diverse as the parts that are built into your RV. We offer products from all of the major RV Part manufacturers like:

  • Thetford RV toilet parts for RV toilet repair

  • Carefree Awnings, including slide-out awnings, patio awnings, and replacement fabrics

  • Shurflo Water Pumps and other RV plumbing system parts for your freshwater system

  • Aqua Magic Toilets

  • Thomas Payne RV furniture to enhance your living space

  • Dometic RV awning parts

  • Blue Ox Towing Equipment

  • Reese Hitches

  • Lippert Components

RV Part Shop also carries a wide range of RV accessories to help you optimize your enjoyment of the RV lifestyle.

Marine Parts Superstore

For boating enthusiasts, we are the marine parts supply store to shop. We offer a catalog of discount marine parts and boating parts and accessories, including Mercury Marine parts and supplies. Our knowledgeable staff makes us the best marine parts outlet for boaters.

Need it in a hurry? Get your marine parts shipped to you the same day. Our marine parts warehouses across the country are fully stocked and ready to get you the parts you need in the fastest possible time, including Mercury outboard parts.

RV Part Shop is the marine parts outlet favored by owners of pleasure craft nationwide. So make your best choice for marine boat parts. When you are searching for "marine parts near me", remember that we are your marine parts source.

Best Camping Gear in Canada and the USA

Finally, our product offering includes very cool camping gear for sale and outdoor supplies, including camping cooking gear.

We even have the best discount camping gear for the smaller creatures in your life. If you camp with a baby or a youngster, check out our kid's camping gear and baby camping gear. Kids love our products.

Don't forget your four-legged friends, we've got the best lines of dog camping gear. For those two-wheel road warriors, we have motorcycle camping gear.

It's important to have the essential camping gear you need to have a safe and enjoyable experience in the great outdoors. So why not save money and get cheap camping gear with fast shipping nationwide. Here's a sample of some of the camping essentials we carry:

  • Water-resistant stuff sacks

  • First aid kits

  • Sleeping Bags

  • Camping Checklists

  • Camping Stoves

  • Air Mattresses to settle in after a long day in the outdoors

  • Easy to clean camp cooking sets

  • Camping Chairs

  • Stay Warm with Winter Camping Gear for the cold weather

  • Campsite Pots and Pans

We deliver anywhere, so camping gear in Vancouver is the same as camping gear in Calgary to us. No need to look for Canadian Tire camping gear, we have it all here and are ready to deliver to your door in lots of time for your next camping trip. So make your best camping gear list and start your shopping with us. When you are thinking “camping gear near me”, there is no better choice than RV Part Shop.

When you are thinking about RV Parts, marine parts, truck accessories or camping/outdoor gear, there is no better choice than RV Part Shop.