Fiberglass roof with air bubbles

[Iggy]

As we were preparing our Georgetown for another adventure I happened to go up early this morning on the roof to see how it looks. Well back in Aug 2012 I mentioned to my dealer that the roof had some bubbling and they said that was normal. Well today I found it all over the roof.
I shot an email to FR and Steven this morning to see what he thinks.
Here are the pictures.

[Iggy]

Some more pictures

[lindy]

Would not even begin to believe that this could be normal. If it was on the side of the unit I'd be thinking delamination issues, because that's what it looks like.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by lindy

Would not even begin to believe that this could be normal. If it was on the side of the unit I'd be thinking delamination issues, because that's what it looks like.

We will see what happens. Hopefully FR will cover as it is just over 1 year. Will wait and see what Steve at FR Georgetown will do.
Has anyone else had similiar looking roof after 1 year?

[Goomph]

I sure looks like delamination I assume there is no second year warranty from FR for Motorhomes ? I hope they take care of it for you.

[burati1]

Wow!

[NO3putt]

Our Berkshire had bubbles and FR replaced the roof.

[eyc]

That’s what my roof looked like after the first year at the right corner. I took it to the dealer and they said that it wasn’t an issue. Last year the bubbles traveled the total length of the right side of the RV and started at on the left front. I took it to the dealer again due to some storm damage on the right rear (they had the RV for two months) and they told me not to worry about it even though it started to develop cracks in the bubbles. This year I checked the roof and I have several cracks on the sides of the roof and where the first bubbles were the roof has opened up. This RV was purchased in 2008 new and now the roof appears to be ruined. I sent FR an email yesterday to see what my options are, and am starting to wonder how wide spread this issue is. I am really upset with the dealer since they saw the issue early on but stated that this was not a problem, even though I believe they knew I was having a problem.

[NO3putt]

Work with FR direct if your dealer is not supporting you in getting a new roof. Found that FR dose care and the dealers really don't know what to do, just plan on a trip back to FR to have the work done. We told our dealer that this would just spread and crack causing water damage to the roof. Once FR got involved, it came down to when to schedule the work then our dealer stepped up and replaced the roof. Would not recommend the dealer to do the work like we did, have had to chase down a few leaks around the edges and took forever for the dealer to do the job. FR has had this problem on Georgetowns and Berkshires

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by NO3putt

Work with FR direct if your dealer is not supporting you in getting a new roof. Found that FR dose care and the dealers really don't know what to do, just plan on a trip back to FR to have the work done. We told our dealer that this would just spread and crack causing water damage to the roof. Once FR got involved, it came down to when to schedule the work then our dealer stepped up and replaced the roof. Would not recommend the dealer to do the work like we did, have had to chase down a few leaks around the edges and took forever for the dealer to do the job. FR has had this problem on Georgetowns and Berkshires

I do agree FR does care. I hope Steven contacts me this week.
I will be heading back around Elkhart mid to late July.
Keep my fingers crossed.

[eyc]

Originally Posted by Iggy

I do agree FR does care. I hope Steven contacts me this week.
I will be heading back around Elkhart mid to late July.
Keep my fingers crossed.

Just noticed that the front cap is cracked under the area where the roof bubbles opened up. Going to seal the crack for now and the area around it. The crack is near the top of the windshield between the windshield and the back of the cap and looks like it goes all the way through. I hope FR contacts me this week, really getting worried about this issue.

[Lost pirate]

I am a flat roofer by trade and I can defiantly say any roof damage goes on to cause more extensive problems if they are not corrected immediately. Looking at the issue I would demand a new roof as well as replacement of any wet insulation. My V-Lite roof carries a 12 year warranty against material defect. Any penetration or damage is not covered. Lucky for me I will replace it myself in due time.

[Lost pirate]

After taking a closer look this appears to be either an Epdm or a tpo system from the pics. The bubbles are actually caused when the glue used to secure the roof system isn't allowed to completely dry before it is applied. It won't hurt the system unless a hole is created in one of the blisters. If the blisters are full of air and not water they aren't leaking. Contact your FR rep. The dealer won't replace the roof unless they have too.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by Lost pirate

After taking a closer look this appears to be either an Epdm or a tpo system from the pics. The bubbles are actually caused when the glue used to secure the roof system isn't allowed to completely dry before it is applied. It won't hurt the system unless a hole is created in one of the blisters. If the blisters are full of air and not water they aren't leaking. Contact your FR rep. The dealer won't replace the roof unless they have too.

This is a fiberglass sheet roof. If you step on any of the bubble it will break the fiberglass and cause a leak.

[RED Baron]

HI Iggy
I,m sorry to read about your Roof Bubbles Iggy did FR get in contact with you?? I pulled of my Cover today and checked my roof so far so good hope it stays that way same year like yours 2012 bought in 11-2011
Please keep us posted
Thanks---George

2012 Georgetown 280DS Towing a 2002 Saturn LW-200 Wagen

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by RED Baron

HI Iggy
I,m sorry to read about your Roof Bubbles Iggy did FR get in contact with you?? I pulled of my Cover today and checked my roof so far so good hope it stays that way same year like yours 2012 bought in 11-2011
Please keep us posted
Thanks---George

2012 Georgetown 280DS Towing a 2002 Saturn LW-200 Wagen

Yes Steven at FR replied and said "The vendor stated it is not uncommon to have some bubbles with their roof material, however I did note this along with the picture to your unit's file. I did this so that if for any reason a leak and or further issues with the roof material, we can refer back to this date."

I asked to have someone take a look at my roof when I'm in Elkhart in July.

We will continue to monitor and take pictures each month for now on and send them to Steven at FR
.

[BigJohnD]

Happening to the sunseekers / foresters too. Same REAL thin material, I think. Made by crane composites. 1/16" at best. It's basically the same thing you see on commercial bathroom walls. Mines ok, for now, but ill be glad to go back to a rubber roof next year when we move back to a fifth wheel. 2 years ago I liked fiberglass roofs, after the previous and present Motorhomes, I'll never own anything with a fiberglass roof again.

[armye7]

Thanks for the heads up Iggy, I'm going to take a look at mine this weekend.

[sherman12]

Wow! This most recent development that Iggy is having really sucks! I too was initially excited to have fiberglass vs. rubber. However, it looks like the rubber roof I had on my Allegro was thicker and more durable than what FR puts on their rigs with fiberglass. For the record, knock on wood, I just Mop n Glo'ed my roof two weeks ago on my 2011 and it looked good.

[sherman12]

Oh yeah, does this mean I now have to climb up and check the roof out every couple of weeks? Bummer!