Thinking of a pusher

rr2254545 wrote:

sch911 wrote:
Winnebago would be on my list to avoid. For a used coach consider Newmar, Tiffin, and pre 2010 Monaco and Holiday Rambler.

Guess its Winnebago bashing day - we have had two Winnebago's purchased new in the last 9 years - Zero roof problems - Note the owners manual says to check the caulking every year which I do

The moderator Bruce had many posts on the only other post I can find this year - he seems to have a axe to grind?

No ax to grind whatsoever. This forum is to pass on information and help answer questions.

As I said above, just be aware of how Winnebago assembles their roof and the required maintenance that goes with it. If the OP is good with that then I'm sure he'd be happy with his choice. As many MHs as Winnebago sells obviously many, many people are OK with it.

Unfortunately it seems too many people are either unaware of the maintenance requirements and/or they get neglected or forgotten.

When looking at a used Winnebago, as the OP is considering, that should be the #1 thing he looks at. If that part has been neglected, there is no telling how much unseen damage may or may not yet have occurred.

I would hope as a Winnebago owner you would want him to be aware of this as well.

sch911 wrote:
Winnebago would be on my list to avoid. For a used coach consider Newmar, Tiffin, and pre 2010 Monaco and Holiday Rambler.

Guess its Winnebago bashing day - we have had two Winnebago's purchased new in the last 9 years - Zero roof problems - Note the owners manual says to check the caulking every year which I do

The moderator Bruce had many posts on the only other post I can find this year - he seems to have a axe to grind?

Winnebago would be on my list to avoid. For a used coach consider Newmar, Tiffin, and pre 2010 Monaco and Holiday Rambler.

As Bruce pointed out, hung wall construction would be my first priority. I also would avoid EDPM rubber, but wouldn't rule out a rig with a Brite Tek or a TPO roof material. Those materials are just as good as any solid fiberglass roof and probably better than the thin fiberglass some manufactures use. Good luck in your search.

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy

A well cared for Beaver, or Monaco will also have a fiberglass roof.

it is more important to have a well constructed roof than what it was made from, and be certain it has not been damaged and poorly repaired

Actually Winnie wouldn't be on my list to consider due to their roof design. Their method of attachment and required maintenance - and what potentially happens if there is a breakdown in the required maintenance, is something that would have me looking elsewhere. Please feel free to do a search and see if it's something you're OK with. Many are.

With that said, I also wouldn't get too hung up on needing to be a "one piece fiberglass roof". Just because it's fiberglass doesn't mean it's quality. Some of the fiberglass that is installed is virtually paper thin. Keep in mind, fiberglass also breaks down over time, and the thinner it is the faster it breaks down.

Our MH has a BriteTek roof. This is our 3rd one with BriteTek, I would order another without hesitation. When we ordered our current MH a one piece fiberglass roof was available, based on our prior experience with BriteTek we chose it over fiberglass. BriteTek is NOT a rubber roof, it is a synthetic membrane. Newmar uses the BriteTek brand, many others simply call theirs a TPO roof. There are differences between TPOs as well.

We've had rubber as well, on both a MH and TT. I would not consider anything with a true EPDM rubber roof.

As far as the MH itself, most us a laminate construction, a few use hung wall. If it is laminated it can delaminate. Hung wall can't. Those using hung wall are Monaco/Holiday Rambler, Newmar, and Travel Supreme/Entegra. We have owned a delaminating MH and I have worked on delaminating motorhomes and TTs. Unless you're getting into a true bus builder, for my money I will pick hung wall construction every time.

All current Tiffins have fiberglass roofs. Some current Newmars have fiberglass roofs and others have a sort of rubber roof called Brite Tek or something like that.

There are some great bargains in used, well cared for diesel pushers. I'll second what Trainer said and suggest Newmar and Tiffin among others. We just bought a gently used 2008 Tiffin Phaeton and couldn't be more pleased.

You can look at Newmar and Tiffins as examples of well built, well appointed class A's There is a lot of difference in DP VS Gas and also a considerable price difference. I do not know which brand comparisons you are making but I have not found Dps in the same year window to be priced near Class A gas coaches.

While a one piece fiberglass roof would be on my must haves not to sure about the Winnebago design.