 |
|
08-28-2014, 04:25 AM
|
#1
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bella Vista, Arkansas
Posts: 5,389
|
BriteTek vs Fiberglass Roof??
I have been browsing and looking at options of several Newmar's for the past year or so looking for an upgrade rig. Just about every model I have checked has a fiberglass roof option.
What is the minuses or pluses for either a BriteTek or Fiberglass roof? I have a fiberglass roof on my current rig and it is pretty durable. I get up on the roof quite often.
__________________
Raymond, Dee Dee and Sophie (Yorkie)
2023 Chevrolet 2500HD LT 4X4
2024 Grand Design Reflection 296RDTS
|
|
|
 |
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
|
08-28-2014, 05:14 AM
|
#2
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 445
|
Both are good and durable, I would lean to fiberglass if I had to choose. I have Brite-tek on mine and it looks new after 7and1/2 years and no signs of tears or leaks. Having said that when i took the Newmar factory tour I touched the Brite-tek product while it was on a role befor being on the coach. It was thin feeling to me with the rubber feel on one side and a fabric feel underneath. I was a little surprised it wasn't heavier grade but if applied properly it lasts and lasts.
__________________
Wayne,Janice,and Cody the warrior boxer
2008 Newmar Ventana 3330 350HP ISBXT NVS
2007 Honda CRV, Bue Ox tow,US GEAR brake
|
|
|
|
|
08-28-2014, 06:23 AM
|
#3
|
|
Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Titusville, FL
Posts: 448
|
The fiber glass roof is usually a several thousand dollar up charge on most coaches over the rubber or brite-tek roof.
__________________
Jack and Janet 
2020 Allegro Open Road 32 SA
|
|
|
|
|
08-28-2014, 07:35 AM
|
#4
|
|
Administrator in Memoriam
Newmar Owners Club Retired Fire Service RVer's Spartan Chassis
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Newark, DE
Posts: 25,898
|
The BriteTek roof is superior to the old rubber roof.
I had the fiberglass roof on my DSDP, but the BriteTek roof is well liked by their owners.
__________________
Adios, Dirk - '84 Real Lite Truck Camper, '86 Wilderness Cimarron TT, previously 4 years as a fulltimer in a '07 DSDP
|
|
|
|
|
08-28-2014, 08:17 AM
|
#5
|
|
Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 67
|
Even if you get the fiberglass roof option, the slides will still have a BriteTek roof.
David
__________________
2014 Newmar Canyon Star 3424 / 2012 Honda Fit Sport toad
|
|
|
|
|
08-28-2014, 09:39 AM
|
#6
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bella Vista, Arkansas
Posts: 5,389
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by millerj
The fiber glass roof is usually a several thousand dollar up charge on most coaches over the rubber or brite-tek roof.
|
This is why I am asking to see if the fiberglass up charge is worth it or not.
__________________
Raymond, Dee Dee and Sophie (Yorkie)
2023 Chevrolet 2500HD LT 4X4
2024 Grand Design Reflection 296RDTS
|
|
|
|
|
08-28-2014, 10:33 AM
|
#7
|
|
Administrator in Memoriam
Newmar Owners Club Retired Fire Service RVer's Spartan Chassis
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Newark, DE
Posts: 25,898
|
I thought it was as I believe it offers more protection against tree branches, etc
__________________
Adios, Dirk - '84 Real Lite Truck Camper, '86 Wilderness Cimarron TT, previously 4 years as a fulltimer in a '07 DSDP
|
|
|
|
|
08-28-2014, 11:43 AM
|
#8
|
|
Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, Florida
Posts: 13,599
|
Hi reubenray,
The minus for a fiberglass roof is it costs more money. I no of no +s. My coach has a Brite-Tek roof. Nine years old, 94K miles and been outside since it was born. I clean the roof 2 time a year with Simple Green. The roof has been through 3 hurricanes, 1 tornado and a few hail storms. While it is not a bright as it once was it is still solid. The coach remains as dry as dry can be.
If a coach comes with Brite-Tek I would not upgrade to fiberglass. If the coach comes with fiberglass that is okay for me.
__________________
Gary
2005 Newmar KSDP 3910 + GMC ENVOY XUV 37K lbs Moving Down The Road
The Avatar Is Many Times Around The USA
Nobody Knows Your Coach Like Somebody Who Owns One Just Like Yours
|
|
|
|
|
08-28-2014, 03:36 PM
|
#9
|
|
Moderator Emeritus
Nor'easters Club Workhorse Chassis Owner iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,785
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidP
Even if you get the fiberglass roof option, the slides will still have a BriteTek roof.
David
|
Most slides I have and seem have a fiberglass roof.
|
|
|
|
|
08-28-2014, 05:47 PM
|
#10
|
|
Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 67
|
I was curious about this too, and asked Michelle Howard about this while on the factory tour a couple of weeks ago. If I understood her correctly, Newmar currently uses BriteTek as the roof on all their slides, up to the King Aire.
Maybe someone who has a recent Newmar with a fiberglass roof can confirm either way though...
__________________
2014 Newmar Canyon Star 3424 / 2012 Honda Fit Sport toad
|
|
|
|
|
08-28-2014, 08:39 PM
|
#11
|
|
Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Winnebago Owners Club Mid Atlantic Campers Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Posts: 1,244
|
I almost -- but not really -- had an argument with our sales person about this when we ordered our '13 Dutch Star. I was leaning toward BriteTek as it had such good reviews, but I figured that since the fiberglass roof was an $1,100.00 option, there must be something to it and maybe we should have it. The dealer rep said no, it was simply spending unnecessary money on an option that would not be worth the price. We went round and round on this. Finally, when we were out at Newmar for something before the coach was built, I went out to talk with the repair guys who do the warranty work and repairs on older coaches. I asked them their opinion, BriteTek v. Fiberglass. Bar none, they said that they simply don't see BriteTek roofs coming in for repair work and that they hold up --just as others on this thread have said they do.
So we kept the BriteTek order for the roof. Even so, Doubting Thomas that I am, I have been on the ladder to check the roof at least a dozen times and have found zero problems. And in an abundance of caution, when we were at Nappanee in late July for service on a few small items, I included on my list a thorough inspection of the roof by the techs just to be sure that there was no damage or need for repair -- especially since our coach is at River Bend near Fort Myers for six months in the strong sun. They verdict after careful inspection was that the roof was fine and needed absolutely no repair.
I am a believer in the BriteTek roof.
Deek 
__________________
”Deek” / FMCA #363986
2023 Winnebago View 24D Bay Mist II
What a Hoot!
|
|
|
|
|
08-29-2014, 07:01 AM
|
#12
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 379
|
I have had both types in 2 Motorhomes. My Dutchstar has BriteTek and is 12 yrs old and is as good as the fibreglass roof I had before!
|
|
|
|
|
08-29-2014, 07:53 AM
|
#13
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bella Vista, Arkansas
Posts: 5,389
|
Great - it sounds like I can keep the $1,758 it would have cost for the fiberglass option.
__________________
Raymond, Dee Dee and Sophie (Yorkie)
2023 Chevrolet 2500HD LT 4X4
2024 Grand Design Reflection 296RDTS
|
|
|
|
|
08-29-2014, 09:25 PM
|
#14
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 270
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snomas1
I have had both types in 2 Motorhomes. My Dutchstar has BriteTek and is 12 yrs old and is as good as the fibreglass roof I had before!
|
I think the BriteTek is quieter in rain and bad weather also.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
