Rubber roof, never again.

Our RV rubber roofs have been superb but still not as good as our one piece aluminum roofs as our 97 Lance TC we ordered new, roof still looks like new yet today.

However, our 93 Carriage Carrilite 5th wheel, also we'd ordered new and kept, had a rubber roof that was 20 years old (12 year warranty) and still was in decent shape until a tornado in Feb 2013 went over us in Florida and broke off pine tree branches and the raw broken sharp ends acted like arrows with the needles acting like feathers coming down on the trailer roof and gouging 6 3'-7" long rips in the old rubber membrane roof and 3 had gouges in the plywood under it too. 2 more in the rolled up awning top of the roll.

Our insurance paid for a new layer of wood and a new rubber roof and replacing the awning fabric too with no questions as to age as the adjuster they sent had inspected it and agreed in his written report that the rest of the roof was in good shape. Storm Damage! We were very pleased with the outcome and the longevity of the OEM rubber roof the truth that was upheld.

How much longer would have the OEM rubber roof had lasted before any leaking without the storm damage, we'll never know but 20 years already says something very positive for a rubber roof lasting!

TPO will have slightly better puncture/tear ratings but not much. Just patch the roof and move on. I am a roofer and EPDM would be my first choice any day of the week. Easiest to patch. No need to heat membrane for patching unless you are doing it below zero.

Well, I guess if you can find what you want without a rubber roof, go for it. I assume you are including PVC and TPO in that list of no no's. They will tear too. That reduces your options down to probably less than 10 percent of the available products. They are out there though.

Sounds like your roof is doing okay for a nine year old trailer. Did these tears happen spontaneously? I tore mine on a low, relatively, tree limb I didn't see. Patched it and no leaks.

So you're one of the guys who drive through tree limbs? I will not. I think I'd be thinking about your a/c cowling too before driving through more trees.