Class A 'Best Bones'

Xaviar wrote:

Bruce Brown wrote:
On the rubber roof, there is true EPDM rubber then there are the synethic types - big difference between them. I have a TT with a rubber roof and our MH has BriteTek, which some (wrongly) confuse with rubber.

EPDM isn't my favorite, we're on our 3rd MH with BriteTek, I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

Also keep in mind just because it says "fiberglass" doesn't mean it's quality material, some is about paper thin. Also keep in mind, like rubber, fiberglass will break down somewhat over time too. I also dabble in older tractors. I recently shipped a cab roof from one of my parts tractors to Louisiana. The roof I had was metal, it was replacing a fiberglass roof that had deteriorated past it's useful life.

Also "rubber" is a lot easier to replace. I did a new roof on our TT a few years ago, I did a buddies 5th Wheel last fall. I can't do a new full fiberglass roof in my garage, that's a factory job.

IMO I'd be more concerned in the roof condition than the material.

We've had a couple (all be it salesmen) tell us that the rubber roofs can get holes just as easily as being somewhere where a bird lands on it with some prey and is having lunch. Given the height and areas we'd go to in a motorhome -- that seems like a pretty high likelihood (though I suppose it could easily have been a perfect scare tactic as to 'why this is better').

Are you saying one of those two types of 'rubber' are better than the other?


I suppose the walls and roof (as well as mechanical parts) are my biggest concern over all as for what will last. Remodeling I can do all day long.

On the bold - YES! These membranes come in all sorts of thicknesses and backings. The EPDM roof on our TT is decent, but not nearly as heavy as our BriteTek roof. Our EPDM is all EPDM, our BriteTek is felt backed.

It's kind of a shame they get put into the same conversation, they really are different animals.