fiberglass roofs

[Vacationer04]

What Class A MHs from 2002 to 2006 have factory fiberglass roofs? I know that Winnebagos do but what others came that way new? My current MH has a rubber roof and don't want that hassle on my next unit that will probably be my last.

[s_N_s]

Our Mountain Aire has the Brite Tek roof. It's a great product and a cinch to clean.

[Bruce_Brown]

Vacationer04 wrote:
I'll stay with aluminum. Thank you.

Aluminum is a good choice.

The truth of the matter is there are a lot of variables no matter what the material.

Not all rubber is the same, not all TPO is the same, not all fiberglass is the same - Lord knows Winnie sure has had more than their fair share of problems with their fiberglass roofs.

They all have their good points and drawbacks, to some degree. In the heavy salt air aluminum will white corrode. I think picking a quality builder should net you a quality roof material, no matter what the choice.

Pick a lower end builder and you'll get a lower end roof material, no matter what type it is. I've seen "one piece fiberglass roofs" that I wouldn't trade for the EPDM roof I install on our TT - and I'm no fan of EPDM.

[mike_brez]

I have had a 5er and a PaceArrow with rubber a Newmar Londonaire with aluminum and a Country Coach with fiberglass. One peice fiberglass for me.

[diveman52]

Newmar uses what they call Brit tek roof it's on tough roof.
I think on the real high end Newmar,s you can have fiberglass.
My new to us 2008 Newmar has the brit tek roof it's on great shape other than the seams which I cleaned out and re did.
Even Fiberglass roofs have seams to caulk.
One big difference I noticed between the fiberglass roof on our Gulf Stream was noise. When it rained hard the noise was extremely loud.
Not with the brit tek roof. It's quite in the rain.
PS I'd never own another Goof Stream product.

[Vacationer04]

I'll stay with aluminum. Thank you.

[Bruce_Brown]

htowners wrote:

ncrowley wrote:
My 2004 Newman has a fiberglass roof and all the Newmar's I looked at from 2002 to 2008 had them.

I think the Bay Star Sport was the exception to the rule with Newmar, those had EPM.

The Bay Star has a BriteTek roof - not even in the same league of EPM, and that is speaking from experience.

We've owned both in the past, we currently own both today. Our MH has BriteTek, I put EPDM on our TT. I'm a big fan of BriteTek, EPM (actually EPDM) is a decent, economical way to cover a roof.

When we ordered our current MH we has our choice between full fiberglass or BriteTek. Our 2 previous units had BriteTek, we chose it again. Its tough, quiet, and virtually maintenance free. If we were buying again today we'd pick BriteTek again.

[gonesouth]

garyemunson wrote:
My complaint about our Winnebago fiberglass roof is that after one year it is already 'chalking' and causing streaks on the side of the coach.

Get a bottle of Mop and Glo and wax it. That will stop the chalking for 3-6 months.

[htowners]

ncrowley wrote:
My 2004 Newman has a fiberglass roof and all the Newmar's I looked at from 2002 to 2008 had them.

I think the Bay Star Sport was the exception to the rule with Newmar, those had EPM.

[garyemunson]

My complaint about our Winnebago fiberglass roof is that after one year it is already 'chalking' and causing streaks on the side of the coach.

[Bruce_Brown]

I think you'll like the aluminum roof. We had one of those years ago and it served us well. While it was hot and did draw in a lot of heat, I'm sure yours is much better insulated than ours was.

[booty51]

A friend of mine, rubber roof ballooned on his 5th wheel. I have a rubber roof on my Mo Ho so far no leaks no problems. Original roof on a 1997 Allegro. Garage kept when not in use. Another friend had debris from a 18 wheeler hit his roof and cut it while traveling down the road , Roof ripped from the front to the back, from the wind getting under the torn area. I guess luck of the draw.

[Daleg70]

My 2000 American Eagle has a fiberglass roof -- However, I am still pursuing leaks, and at this time having everything sealed by a local RV firm.

thx -- Dale

[Vacationer04]

I made sure I wouldn't have any more rubber roof issues like fading and black streaking by buying my just purchased MH with an aluminum roof. Except for the joints and seams it will be a lot more maintenance free. It is 12 years old but the finish looks almost new other than the caulking that looks to have been kept up to date.

[msmith1199]

creeper wrote:
I've seen dozens on Rt. 95. Usually during the Snowbirds migration south. It's very common especially on 5th wheels. The shop that repaired had 2 others in the shop that shredded. We were lucky and it didn't shred. I video'd in on suspicion only after seeing one going down the highway.

I'm not the only one on this forum

I've seen that billowing a lot myself. Mostly on trailers, but some on motorhomes. It's caused by the same thing that makes airplanes fly. The wind moving over the top of the roof is going 60 MPH when any air that is under that roofing material is not moving at all. That creates high pressure below the covering and low pressure above and your roof wants to fly just like an airplane wing does. That same pressure it always on the roof and likely what caused the glue that was holding the roof down to fail in the first place.