TPO vinyl roof better than EPDM rubber roof

[MPH]

I am shopping for a pre-owned class C MH. I was going for a 2001 Lazy Daze, but needed to add auto-levelers/jacks which would be a $4300 add-on. Too much.

Now I am looking at a 2004 Jayco Greyhawk that already has auto-levelers plus a back-up camera. It is larger than the LD and has more storage. It also has a TPO vinyl roof.

I'm familiar with a rubber roof after having 4 travel trailers through the years that had the rubber roof. Do not want one again, ever.

Is the TPO vinyl roof a lot better than rubber? I know nothing about them.

Thanks for your input.

Mel

[Mr_D]

We have a TPO roof on our 2002 DSDP. Still looks as good as new although it does have a few stains on it that I could get off if I wanted to.
Personally I like it better than a fiberglass roof as it's quieter and seemingly just as tough.
TPO is what is used to roof commercial buildings and has at least a 20 year life, EPDM will not last that long and is not used much on commercial buildings where long life and sun resistance is needed.

[Gordon Dewald]

I changed our TPO to EPDM. I like the EPDM because it seems to be heavier. I expect it will insulate slightly better and be quieter.

[G.T.]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

We have a TPO roof on our 2002 DSDP. Still looks as good as new although it does have a few stains on it that I could get off if I wanted to.
Personally I like it better than a fiberglass roof as it's quieter and seemingly just as tough.
TPO is what is used to roof commercial buildings and has at least a 20 year life, EPDM will not last that long and is not used much on commercial buildings where long life and sun resistance is needed.

EPDM or TPO - are nothing but rubber, and rubber roofs are POS.
There is no better material for RV roofs than fiberglass, no maintenance and they always stay clean and trouble free.
For me that was a deciding factor to switch from Fleetwood to Itasca.

[wanderso]

Why do you need auto levelers? Many with class c don't have them and do fine.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by G.T.

EPDM or TPO - are nothing but rubber, and rubber roofs are POS.
There is no better material for RV roofs than fiberglass, no maintenance and they always stay clean and trouble free.
For me that was a deciding factor to switch from Fleetwood to Itasca.

Haven't done much research on roofing materials have you?

[MPH]

Originally Posted by wanderso

Why do you need auto levelers? Many with class c don't have them and do fine.

I have had 4 travel trailers in my life time and did plenty of maneuvering to get set up and level on leggos. Now, at almost 62, I have decided that auto levelers are a luxury I want. The folks with Cs who don't have them can roll up on their leggos, but I want ease-of-set-up. I'm having auto-levelers. I've seen enough Cs with them to know I can find a coach with them.

And since when did "need" have anything to do with it? At this stage in the game, I'll entertain a few "wants." (So long as I can pay for 'em!)

Mel

[MPH]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

We have a TPO roof on our 2002 DSDP. Still looks as good as new although it does have a few stains on it that I could get off if I wanted to.
Personally I like it better than a fiberglass roof as it's quieter and seemingly just as tough.
TPO is what is used to roof commercial buildings and has at least a 20 year life, EPDM will not last that long and is not used much on commercial buildings where long life and sun resistance is needed.

Thanks for that info. So, basically, the TPO is a few grades above the old EPDM. And while I like the idea of a fiberglass roof being relatively maintenance-free, I like the idea of TPO being quieter. So, no sense being "scared off" by a vinyl roof. It's actually a good thing, sounds like.

[G.T.]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Haven't done much research on roofing materials have you?

If you don't mind, let us all know which commercial truck, or bus brand uses rubber roof materials?
After all that would indicate the quality of a product, wouldn't it?
Name just one single make, please.

P.S.
Some RV manufacturers choose to use a rubber mambraine ONLY because it's much cheaper than metal or fiberglass - that's it.

[billyb]

tpo hands down over the rest

[az bound]

TPO is a much tougher material and does not sluff off the top layer as EPDM does.
It requires no more maintenance than any other roofing material, only routine checking and sealing of seams and protrusions.
Washing it is totaly optional, no required.
Fiberglass, whether gelcoat or painted will oxidize, TPO does not.

[wanderso]

Originally Posted by MPH

I have had 4 travel trailers in my life time and did plenty of maneuvering to get set up and level on leggos. Now, at almost 62, I have decided that auto levelers are a luxury I want. The folks with Cs who don't have them can roll up on their leggos, but I want ease-of-set-up. I'm having auto-levelers. I've seen enough Cs with them to know I can find a coach with them.

And since when did "need" have anything to do with it? At this stage in the game, I'll entertain a few "wants." (So long as I can pay for 'em!)

Mel

Sounds good. Enjoy your travels!

[Dan Wong]

Not much is mention on aluminum roof, any opinion on that? pro/con?

[Gordon Dewald]

The old aluminum roofs used to leak on the seams.

I think the new seamless aluminum roofs are better??