Quality of Class C
I am looking at two seemingly equivalent Class C motorhomes and would like to buy one. I want to know what quality level each is. I don't want to be comparing two different quality levels like compa...
Forum Discussion
pnichols wrote:mike brez wrote:pnichols wrote:way2roll wrote:
When looking at used mh's quality at the build is a moot point. You want proof of how they were maintained. A lesser quality mh that was well maintained is far better than the best quality that wasn't.
As far as roof material - Bumpy has this thing that it has to be fiberglass - that's his criteria, it doesn't need to be yours. Plenty of TPO roofs out there for decades without issues. Nevermind the winnie fiberglass roofs have been known to peel back going down the road.
How can my (Winnebago) Itasca's Class C one piece fiberglass roof peel off when the vents, air conditioner, and TV antenna are mounted on the roof using bolts/screws that go all the way through to the coach ceiling and/or the aluminum framing inside the coach ceiling ... plus having roof caps on the front and rear of the one piece roof that are attached to the coach's vertical sidewalls?
IMHO, any RV roof construction method that does not consist of a single piece of fiberglass or consist of aircraft riveted aluminum panels - is used because it's cheaper for the RV builder.
One piece fiberglass roof edges lifting up is not exactly "the roof peeling off".
I suspect that plenty of photos could be found of TPO and/or rubber RV roofs ripping loose, having tear separations, peeling here and there, etc.. FWIW, I'll bet that it is just plain cheaper for an RV manufacturer to use TPO or rubber to cover the roof instead of using a large, mold-shaped, single piece of fiberglass instead.
For years boats have been made from molded fiberglass - not the same as Winnebago fiberglass roofs - but similar ... and as far as I know the boats have been getting by just fine. They have to remain leak-free, too.
The point is; all roof types have their advantages and pitfalls. They all require maintenance. Fiberglass roofs are likely more resistant to a puncture type issue but are far more costly to repair when they do and they are not immune to issues. No matter what type of roof you have they still drill the same number of holes in them to mount everything up there. But based on the personal experience (I've had fiberglass and TPO) - I couldn't tell a difference in performance. There are a LOT of MH's out there without fiberglass roofs doing just fine for decades. In short, it would not be a deal breaker. To each his own. Some folks get on here and make claims that it has to be this or that, it doesn't. Whatever your roof type, if you take care of it, it will last.
