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02-21-2016, 05:37 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Fort Smith Northwest Territories Canada
Posts: 19
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Roof material
I'm new to RVing. I am looking into purchasing a motorhome. My question is what is the difference between a fibreglass roof, and a TPO roof. Which is more durable? As well which requires the most maintenance?
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02-21-2016, 09:20 AM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Milford,CT.
Posts: 2,237
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fortsmithman
I'm new to RVing. I am looking into purchasing a motorhome. My question is what is the difference between a fibreglass roof, and a TPO roof. Which is more durable? As well which requires the most maintenance?
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After having both I would only want a fiberglass roof.
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02-21-2016, 11:18 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Davie, Florida
Posts: 731
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If I could trade in my unit on a new one it would have a fiberglass roof. It would be the first thing on my needs list.
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Denis, Ruth and Gracie
the K-9 Dashboard Ornament
2007 Newmar Baystar 3202
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02-22-2016, 06:13 PM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,704
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I've had both (have fiberglass now). TPO is excellent and I would have it again, but fiberglass is a bit more durable if you ever scrape tree branches or otherwise hit something.
Roof maintenance is about seams and openings, not the material used. Both TPO and fiberglass just meed an occasional wash to keep them bright looking. After 10 years or so, fiberglass may need a coat of paint.
Seam and opening maintenance is identical. You need to inspect (annually is recommended) and touch up the caulked seams and openings. That's where the leaks come from.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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02-24-2016, 06:28 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: May 2013
Location: CT
Posts: 664
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I have had both, like the tpo much better. The 2010 winnie that I had came with a fiberglass roof,had many spider cracks that made me uncomfortable as to how long it was going to be before I started having leaks. As it turned out the unit was too small for us so we traded up, now, I don't worry at all about those spider cracks. The tpo is very easy to clean, IMHO,is very durable, would not hesitate to buy a unit with tpo. As already stated, both must be maintained.
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Rapid Rick
2013 Fleetwood Terra 35K 
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02-24-2016, 10:15 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 185
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Mine is fiberglass. 27 years old, no leaks.
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1988 34' Executive Industries - Executive Prestige
5.9 Cummins, Allison AT542
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02-24-2016, 10:31 PM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Milford,CT.
Posts: 2,237
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rapid rick
I have had both, like the tpo much better. The 2010 winnie that I had came with a fiberglass roof,had many spider cracks that made me uncomfortable as to how long it was going to be before I started having leaks. As it turned out the unit was too small for us so we traded up, now, I don't worry at all about those spider cracks. The tpo is very easy to clean, IMHO,is very durable, would not hesitate to buy a unit with tpo. As already stated, both must be maintained.
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Winnie makes a crap fiberglass roof. Can't compare to a higher end one piece roof.
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02-24-2016, 10:34 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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Have had both fiberglass and BriteTek (a TPO). Both the DW and I agree that the BriteTek roof was quieter in the rain. Upkeep is about the same, check the sealant twice a year and spray 303 on it, the skylight and the vent domes.
In the 57 years I've been RV'ing I've NEVER punctured a roof.
Roof material wouldn't make a difference unless it was a rubber and not TPO roof, then, if we had a choice, I'd go with fiberglass over the rubber.
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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02-24-2016, 11:13 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 421
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There's a third choice, aluminum.
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02-24-2016, 11:46 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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Aluminum is very rare in MH's today but yes, in some older ones they are out there. Usually have seams in them that need sealing although our 2000 Dutch Star had a three piece fiberglass roof so 5 seams to watch plus the side seals.
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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02-25-2016, 07:32 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Fort Smith Northwest Territories Canada
Posts: 19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alvo
There's a third choice, aluminum.
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Aren't Lazy Daze motorhomes equipped with an aluminum roof.
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02-25-2016, 08:19 AM
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Milford,CT.
Posts: 2,237
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fortsmithman
Aren't Lazy Daze motorhomes equipped with an aluminum roof.
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Yes they are. I had a Londonaire with a aluminum roof.
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02-25-2016, 09:00 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Plantation, Fl
Posts: 1,886
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My only experience with an aluminum roof, was on a 1995 Four Winds 5000 21A I had bought new. Within the first year, the front wall of the cabover developed pin holes from electrolysis from some source or other. The dealer (with authorization from Thor) replaced the front wall with a filon panel and also pulled off the aluminum roof and replaced it with either an EPDM or TPO roof (I don't recall which one, and didn't care at the time  ).
__________________
2024 Jayco Redhawk 26 M (OCCC challenged)
2017 RWD F 150 with a drive shaft disconnect
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02-25-2016, 03:33 PM
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#14
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,704
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In the previous picture of the "crappy Winnebago fiberglass roof", notice that there is nothing wrong with the fiberglass roof material. The seam at the edge has come apart. Same thing could have happened if Winnie used TPO, aluminum, or even EPDM. That's a design or construction failure, not a reason to avoid fiberglass roof material.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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