Roofs... fiberglass or rubber?

You don't say what brand of coach you are looking at but I remember reading about Winnebago owners having trouble with the fiberglass roof coming loose and peeling back. Apparently it was not covered by the Winnebago warranty or any warranty from an extended warranty company.

All roofs require a certain amount of maintenance. There are seams and openings for vents, tv antennas etc. The sealants do dry up. So no matter your choice either you or a service center will have to do the work. Isn't this fun!!

Moisheh

Pretty much any roof system is going to need cleaning from time to time, and the caulking where any seams or items perforating it are will need ongoing maintenance. (There are some sprayed-on elastomeric roof systems, somewhat akin to pickup bed liners, that claim otherwise...but I remain a little skeptical of that absent independent verification.)

That being said, my impression is that fiberglass and metal (generally aluminum) roofs tend to require less TLC and last longer than TPO or rubber ones, and TPO tends to last longer than rubber (EPDM). Rubber probably lasts on average 15 or 20 years before needing replacement. There are definite variations in quality among different roof systems of the same general class, too; some are much heavier duty than others.

pacificnw wrote:
Generally speaking, do you prefer a fiberglass roof or a rubber (TPO, etc.)roof on MH? And reasons why?

I would not buy another rubber (EPDM) roofed RV. just do a search for issues with them. fiberglass, aluminum, or possibly TPO only if there was a unit that I had to have that had tpo .
if epdm was so good, they would be using it on prevosts, etc.
and PLEASE do NOT confuse rubber with tpo.
bumpy

pacificnw wrote:
Generally speaking, do you prefer a fiberglass roof or a rubber (TPO, etc.)roof on MH? And reasons why?

I have had a TPO roof on a Four Winds MH and its fine but I spend some serious time each year (at least 2X per year) cleaning and treating the material. So I keep it in good shape. But I am in the market for a new unit and not sure I want a rubber roof anymore.

As I have grown older I find those hours spent up on the roof maintaining the TPO are getting more stressful... I'm sure lots of you understand what I'm saying.

So is fiberglass better from a maintenance standpoint? Longevity standpoint? Or are there other factors I am failing to consider here?

Thank you for all input.

both require periodic maintenance but we've always had fiberglass roofs and have had essentially no issues. but we keep up with inspections..visual and smoke tests..and perform maintenance based on those inspections.

rgatijnet1 wrote:
You don't say what brand of coach you are looking at but I remember reading about Winnebago owners having trouble with the fiberglass roof coming loose and peeling back. Apparently it was not covered by the Winnebago warranty or any warranty from an extended warranty company.

Fake news

rr2254545 wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:
You don't say what brand of coach you are looking at but I remember reading about Winnebago owners having trouble with the fiberglass roof coming loose and peeling back. Apparently it was not covered by the Winnebago warranty or any warranty from an extended warranty company.

Fake news

Here's the link to a 14 page discussion. I guess you missed it. :R
Winnebago roof issue

rgatijnet1 wrote:

rr2254545 wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:
You don't say what brand of coach you are looking at but I remember reading about Winnebago owners having trouble with the fiberglass roof coming loose and peeling back. Apparently it was not covered by the Winnebago warranty or any warranty from an extended warranty company.

Fake news

Here's the link to a 14 page discussion. I guess you missed it. :R
Winnebago roof issue

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Just the same guys rehashing the same items - no real evidence - Winnebago clearly states in their owner manuals to check the caulk each year 10 years here and no problems

rr2254545 wrote:

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Just the same guys rehashing the same items - no real evidence - Winnebago clearly states in their owner manuals to check the caulk each year10 years here and no problems

Actually Winnebago wants you to inspect the roof edge seal TWICE each year. Winnebago roof sealing

I guess you were one of the lucky ones. :B

all decent class A motor homes all have glass roofs these days