Rubber or aluminum roof

I had a 94 Dutchmen with a solid alum roof for 18 yrs. Loved it. Very minimal maint, even after a hail storm totaled the rig it was still as usable as the day it was new. I know it was the dimpled golf ball effect that made it easier to pull and not the insurance check.

I don’t know how many still use it today, but if and when I need a new roof it will be single sheet aluminum… key words being single sheet…

The two I have with aluminum roofs are a 1990 and a 1991 respectively… our climate has harsh winters and a lot of hot sunny days and cool nights in the summers and a lot of rain most of the year… maintenance on these roofs is almost nonexistent…

Over the years I have had a least 6 trailers with single sheet aluminum roofs and not once have I had a leak… calking is no different than the rubber but with the aluminum roof the types of caulk are less limiting and easier to clean, apply, and remove… all I can say is I have never had roof leaks caused by hail with any roofing material…


It’s not used as much today because of its cost and rubber instillation is much easier to do…

None of my comments are meant to take anything from rubber roofs, they are similar in many ways but they wear out quicker than aluminum…

I won’t even get into TPO...

Need-A-Vacation wrote:

JJBIRISH wrote:
Having both, I very much prefer solid sheet aluminum…

But I think it is getting harder to find a tt w/ an aluminum roof. Are there very many out there still being made today?

I'm not sure if the whole KZ spree series has aluminum roofs but the roof on my Escape model e204s is aluminum.

I don't agree that a aluminum roof lasts longer than a rubber roof.

Early rvs/house trailers had painted galvanized steel exteriors. The industry modernized to aluminum exteriors and some folks grumbled that aluminum wasn't tough enough.
Now the industry has modernized again to a better product such as rubber type roof materials and non metallic exteriors.
I had my own rv/mobilehome repair service some years back with exterior repair/structure as our speciality. I've also worked in a mobilhome assy plant for 5 1/2 years much of the time with aluminum exteriors.
Aluminum roofs require more servicing/maintaining over the years especially in areas with lots of sun days and cool nites. Aluminum grows and shrinks which stresses sealants around roof jacks/lap joints and other screwed down roof fixtures.
Hail is another problem for aluminum exteriors. Our last big hail storm hit a large RV dealer. All the new and used RVs on the lot with aluminum roofs had to be reskinned with a rubber roof material. Rubber roof units sitting next to them had no issues.

The new rubber roofs don't have those problems. I'll take a new gen rubber roof over aluminum roof material any day.

JJBIRISH wrote:
Having both, I very much prefer solid sheet aluminum…

But I think it is getting harder to find a tt w/ an aluminum roof. Are there very many out there still being made today?

Having both, I very much prefer solid sheet aluminum…

nhshep wrote:
Are there reasons why most travel trailers have a rubber roof not aluminum. Aluminum roofs on trucks and homes last longer in all seasons and less prone to damage. I would not think weight to be a major issue. I am talking light aluminum not heavy duty metal.

When replacing their roof have people considered aluminum. Is it feasible.

~~ COSTS ~~~~

They do make TT with aluminum roofs:

Check It ---click here

Markiemark

Its a non issue in my book. Rubber, or more accurately TPO or EPDM lasts as long or longer than most people own their RV. With a little care and routine cleaning it will go for at least 12 years. So why worry about it?