EPDM roof compared to fiberglass roof
We are planning on buying our first motorhome soon. It will be a used DP, probably 12 to 18 years old. We have a carefully thought-out list of requirements. Finding one that has everything on our wi...
Forum Discussion
Emptynest soon,
We've had all three. A solid sheet of aluminum, a rubber roof, and presently, a fiberglass one. Let's look at it in some different terms. First, a solid sheet of aluminum is by far, the strongest and most durable. Now, we're not talking about changing tires up there or, doing some other intentional damaging motions, just things like a possible strong tree limb that get's a bit too close every once in a while etc. The second strongest is the fiberglass. It's pretty tough too but, is suseptable to the more intense damage also, but, not very often.
The rubber is the weakest. Whether it's EDPM or, the other, newer version, it's still weaker than the first two. But, it's the cheapest and easiest to apply by multiple manufacturers. And, as many folks have testified, it can last for quite some time, even with minimal maintenance and care.
If you purchase a coach that has all the attributes and parameters you want and need but, it's in need of a new rubber roof because of wear, damage, deteriorated etc., the cost of replacement can be viewed in three ways.
1. You can replace it yourself. It's ton of work, there's no doubt about that. Not many guys have the drive, ability and place to work to handle such a large task. There's lots of work in getting the old one off, checking for underlayment damage (possible rot, rain seepage damage etc.) then, prepping for the new sheet. You can buy a full sized sheet, enough to cover the roof entirely with one sheet, for approximately $400-$500, depending on the size of your coach and, the size of the sheet/roll. Then, there's the cost of the glue, wood treatment, possibly new vents (both sewer/plumbing and, tilt-up)
2. Or, you can pay to have it done. The average cost for the average coach, again depending on multiple variables, hovers around $6500 plus or minus some. I've had a couple of friends that have had it done and that was the norm price back a few years ago.
3. Or, again, if you really like the coach and plan on keeping it for a long time but, it needs a new rubber roof, then you can take it to one of many RV repair centers that are now specializing in a "Spray on" roof. It's almost the same exact coating as the bed liners that are applied to pickup beds. I've seen in person, a few of these and they are by far, the best replacement roof for multiple reasons.
They are seriously thicker than a rubber roof. The insulate considerably better. They are quieter (especially in rain storms)and, the majority of the ones I saw applied in our area were "Silver" in color due to the fact that, silver reflects a phenomenal amount of the suns heat better than even white. When I asked about the price, the service manager where it was being done quoted me around $3500 for around a 35' coach. It's applied as a "Cap" that goes over the radius on all four edges. It is virtually sealed up there.
So, there's some ideas and options for you. I had a rubber roof on my previous coach, a '99 Fleetwood Bounder 34V and, the roof has lost about 90% of its white that was part of the coating of the original rubber. Needless to say, it was ugly up there and, it was getting hotter and hotter while camping due to an almost all black, rubber roof.
So, long story short, I coated with the Dicor system from Camping World and, it came out really nice. We've since sold the coach and to the best of my knowledge, it's still doing fine and that coating was applied around 5-6 years ago.
Scott
We've had all three. A solid sheet of aluminum, a rubber roof, and presently, a fiberglass one. Let's look at it in some different terms. First, a solid sheet of aluminum is by far, the strongest and most durable. Now, we're not talking about changing tires up there or, doing some other intentional damaging motions, just things like a possible strong tree limb that get's a bit too close every once in a while etc. The second strongest is the fiberglass. It's pretty tough too but, is suseptable to the more intense damage also, but, not very often.
The rubber is the weakest. Whether it's EDPM or, the other, newer version, it's still weaker than the first two. But, it's the cheapest and easiest to apply by multiple manufacturers. And, as many folks have testified, it can last for quite some time, even with minimal maintenance and care.
If you purchase a coach that has all the attributes and parameters you want and need but, it's in need of a new rubber roof because of wear, damage, deteriorated etc., the cost of replacement can be viewed in three ways.
1. You can replace it yourself. It's ton of work, there's no doubt about that. Not many guys have the drive, ability and place to work to handle such a large task. There's lots of work in getting the old one off, checking for underlayment damage (possible rot, rain seepage damage etc.) then, prepping for the new sheet. You can buy a full sized sheet, enough to cover the roof entirely with one sheet, for approximately $400-$500, depending on the size of your coach and, the size of the sheet/roll. Then, there's the cost of the glue, wood treatment, possibly new vents (both sewer/plumbing and, tilt-up)
2. Or, you can pay to have it done. The average cost for the average coach, again depending on multiple variables, hovers around $6500 plus or minus some. I've had a couple of friends that have had it done and that was the norm price back a few years ago.
3. Or, again, if you really like the coach and plan on keeping it for a long time but, it needs a new rubber roof, then you can take it to one of many RV repair centers that are now specializing in a "Spray on" roof. It's almost the same exact coating as the bed liners that are applied to pickup beds. I've seen in person, a few of these and they are by far, the best replacement roof for multiple reasons.
They are seriously thicker than a rubber roof. The insulate considerably better. They are quieter (especially in rain storms)and, the majority of the ones I saw applied in our area were "Silver" in color due to the fact that, silver reflects a phenomenal amount of the suns heat better than even white. When I asked about the price, the service manager where it was being done quoted me around $3500 for around a 35' coach. It's applied as a "Cap" that goes over the radius on all four edges. It is virtually sealed up there.
So, there's some ideas and options for you. I had a rubber roof on my previous coach, a '99 Fleetwood Bounder 34V and, the roof has lost about 90% of its white that was part of the coating of the original rubber. Needless to say, it was ugly up there and, it was getting hotter and hotter while camping due to an almost all black, rubber roof.
So, long story short, I coated with the Dicor system from Camping World and, it came out really nice. We've since sold the coach and to the best of my knowledge, it's still doing fine and that coating was applied around 5-6 years ago.
Scott
