Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > THE OWNER'S CORNER FORUMS > Newmar Owner's Forum
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 01-17-2018, 08:56 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
tnedator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 2,550
If you ordered a Ventana or Newmar gasser, which roof did you get and why?

Ok, I've read all the threads about the pros and cons of fiberglass vs Britetek, but I'm curious what people that ordered their coaches, that didn't have fiberglass standard, did.

So, if you ordered a Ventana or gas Newmar, which roof did you order and why?
tnedator is offline   Reply With Quote
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!

Old 01-17-2018, 09:15 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Sidewinder4's Avatar
 
National RV Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 520
Just my two cents: while up at Newmar for some work. Newmar techs mentioned that the britetec is just as good as fiberglass. Again, in there opinion, the up charge for fiberglass was not worth the extra expense today.
__________________
Terry & Kathy
2012 Dutch Star DP 4346
Sidewinder4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2018, 09:33 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
harleyjt's Avatar


 
Newmar Owners Club
Tiffin Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Byhalia, MS
Posts: 3,367
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sidewinder4 View Post
Just my two cents: whole up at Newmar for some work. Newmar techs mentioned that the britetec is just as good as fiberglass. Again, in there opinion, the up charge for fiberglass was not worth the extra expense today.
I have heard a lot of good things about the Britetek. Its whats on my 12 yr old coach and the membrane still is in very good condition. However, with the BriteTek, there is a joint all the way down the each side of the coach were the roof joins the radius piece to connect with the sidewalls. That is covered with a metal strip. That strip has to be sealed to prevent leakage. The fiberglass roof from the mockup I saw is continuous to the sidewall - it actually wraps and forms the roof radius transition to the sidewall. I think you will still have the front and real cap joints, as well as penetration joints. Other than the joint down each side, I'm not sure there is a lot of benefit to going fiberglass. Yes the BriteTek could get damaged, but it is pretty tough. Fiberglass can be damaged as well. And the real issue to me is all the penetrations that have to be maintained. Roof vents, plumbing vents, all those are the areas that are the problems.

I'm going to have my roof replaced in a week or so not because of membrane failure, but because of previous leaks around penetrations that damaged the decking. And, I think I have an AC leaking at a failed gasket as well that has damaged some decking.

Either way, BriteTek or FG, it has to be maintained. Both are good roofs. Both will allow streaking down the sides of the coach if not kept clean and conditioned or waxed. By the way, I think the BriteTek has a 12 year warranty on the membrane, not sure what the FG is. A lot of people think very highly of the BriteTek. It is a good material, probably the premier membrane roof in comparison to EPDM and others available.

I realize this is not exactly what you were looking for as I haven't ordered one or the other, but hopefully gives you a little insight on the issue regardless.

jt
__________________
2019 Tiffin Phaeton 40IH
2005 Newmar Kountry Star Gas (Sold)
2022 JL Wrangler 4xe or 2017 Harley Ultra in tow
JT, Em & the boys, Kong & Baxter (rescued grey tabbies)
harleyjt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2018, 09:44 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Mr_D's Avatar
 
Country Coach Owners Club
Solo Rvers Club
iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
When we ordered our '00 DSDP we ordered the optional segmented fiberglass roof. When we ordered our '02 DSDP we got the BriteTec roof. Kept the '02 for 13 years and never regretted the roof choice. It still looked almost new and, had I worked a little harder, would have looked even better.
__________________
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
Mr_D is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2018, 10:27 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
wildtoad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,314
Having bought a Bay Star Sport, we weren’t given the option. Britetek.
__________________
Tom

2016 Newmar Bay Star Sport 3004
2021 Jeep Gladiator Sport Willys
wildtoad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2018, 11:39 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
tnedator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 2,550
Quote:
Originally Posted by wildtoad View Post
Having bought a Bay Star Sport, we weren’t given the option. Britetek.
Ahhh, I knew it was standard on the gas models and Ventana, but assumed Fiberglass was an option on the gas, like on the Ventana/LE
__________________
2019 VTDP 4369 (Spartan)
Wrangler JLU / AF1 Braking / Rock Hard Bumper
2018 Thor ACE 30.3
tnedator is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2018, 11:43 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
tnedator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 2,550
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sidewinder4 View Post
Just my two cents: while up at Newmar for some work. Newmar techs mentioned that the britetec is just as good as fiberglass. Again, in there opinion, the up charge for fiberglass was not worth the extra expense today.
This is essentially what a dealer (one I'm considering going with) told me. He said they very rarely see actual damage from it. Ironically, when they were showing me the service area, they were replacing a roof, but while I can't remember exactly what he said happened to the coach, it also ripped off the awning and did other major damage (but I don't think it was caused by wind).

I like the idea of the quieter Britetek, but in Arkansas, low limbs are a problem, especially in state parks. I obviously try and avoid them for many reasons (items on roof, gelcoat/paint, etc.), but sometimes one catches the top of the coach.

While some say you are more likely to damage a Britetek roof, I also haven't heard many people with them talk about actually having them damaged.
__________________
2019 VTDP 4369 (Spartan)
Wrangler JLU / AF1 Braking / Rock Hard Bumper
2018 Thor ACE 30.3
tnedator is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2018, 11:45 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Vacay Wheels's Avatar
 
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 374
It's an option on Canyon Star, not Bay Star or Sport.
Vacay Wheels is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2018, 01:25 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Stuart W's Avatar


 
Freightliner Owners Club
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: AZ
Posts: 6,379
I have had my last two MH with fiberglass, and have had Britetek type roofs. They are all good but I prefer the fiberglass for looks, wrap over sides and resistance to tree limbs. Good luck
__________________
Newmar 2016 Canyon Star 3710
Newmar 2018 Dutch Star 4369 SP
Newmar 2023 Dutch Star 4369 FL
Entegra 2025 Cornerstone 45D on order
Stuart W is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2018, 01:36 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
tnedator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 2,550
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuart W View Post
I have had my last two MH with fiberglass, and have had Britetek type roofs. They are all good but I prefer the fiberglass for looks, wrap over sides and resistance to tree limbs. Good luck
I like the idea of more quiet Britetek, but not the idea of getting up once or twice a year and washing/treating it (I know dicor needs to be inspected on either). I'm also concerned about tree limbs, but haven't seen many people actually talking about getting a Britetek puncture from one.
__________________
2019 VTDP 4369 (Spartan)
Wrangler JLU / AF1 Braking / Rock Hard Bumper
2018 Thor ACE 30.3
tnedator is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2018, 01:37 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
C.Martin's Avatar
 
Newmar Owners Club
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,180
BriteTek is way better that the regular EDPM roofing,,, but we still opted for fiberglass.

Fiberglass if pretty easy to repair...

If you’re planning a future solar installation...the rocker feet mounts sold by AMSolar.com can be mounted on either roof system...but the smooth fiberglass roof bonds well enough to the 3M VHB tape...that the panels can be mounted without drilling extra holes in the roof for screws.
__________________
Charlie & Ronni
2016 Ventana 4037
C.Martin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2018, 01:42 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,513
BriteTek on the previous coach and FG on the new one. Luck of the draw, not a deliberate choice. IMO the FG will be more resistant to tree limbs scraping over, less likely to snag. At the same time I'd rather walk on the BT, just my opinion the FG will suffer more from shoes grinding grit or contaminants into the surface, the BT is more resiliant, not a hard surface that will scratch.

Both are really good roofs IMO.
__________________
Newmar Ventana 4037, 2023.
Finance is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2018, 01:45 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Stuart W's Avatar


 
Freightliner Owners Club
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: AZ
Posts: 6,379
If you ordered a Ventana or Newmar gasser, which roof did you get and why?

Quote:
Originally Posted by tnedator View Post
I like the idea of more quiet Britetek, but not the idea of getting up once or twice a year and washing/treating it (I know dicor needs to be inspected on either). I'm also concerned about tree limbs, but haven't seen many people actually talking about getting a Britetek puncture from one.


I’m sure the tree limb issue is very slight, as it would have to snag it just right to tear it. My main reason really is looks
I maybe wrong, but pretty much all high end MH come with Fiberglass roofs.
__________________
Newmar 2016 Canyon Star 3710
Newmar 2018 Dutch Star 4369 SP
Newmar 2023 Dutch Star 4369 FL
Entegra 2025 Cornerstone 45D on order
Stuart W is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2018, 01:53 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
harleyjt's Avatar


 
Newmar Owners Club
Tiffin Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Byhalia, MS
Posts: 3,367
Quote:
Originally Posted by tnedator View Post
Ahhh, I knew it was standard on the gas models and Ventana, but assumed Fiberglass was an option on the gas, like on the Ventana/LE


Fiberglass is an option on the Canyon Star. Not sure about BayStar.
jt
__________________
2019 Tiffin Phaeton 40IH
2005 Newmar Kountry Star Gas (Sold)
2022 JL Wrangler 4xe or 2017 Harley Ultra in tow
JT, Em & the boys, Kong & Baxter (rescued grey tabbies)
harleyjt is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
gas, newmar, roof, vent, ventana



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
What Did You Change When You Ordered Your Bay Star? Dan McMartin Newmar Owner's Forum 25 04-27-2017 04:27 PM
Why? and How? did you get here! damdannyboy Just Conversation 49 09-12-2014 02:02 PM
Why did you start motorhoming? Why do you keep doing it? BoogieMan Class A Motorhome Discussions 50 11-06-2011 07:04 PM
Ventana owners, which towing gear did you get and why? Bremer Speck Newmar Owner's Forum 9 10-05-2011 10:30 AM
"If" you get either Bilsteins or Monroes for the same price, which would you get? ISLAPP MH-General Discussions & Problems 20 02-22-2006 09:08 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:50 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.