TPO Roof vs Fiberglass Roof ...

[burati1]

What is everyone's take? Pros/ cons of both?

If you we're buying a new travel trailer, fifth wheel, Class C or A, what type of roof would you go with if you had the options of these two from a manufacturer??

I know nothing about TPO, have experience with fiberglass though.

[Roll]

Originally Posted by burati1

What is everyone's take? Pros/ cons of both?

If you we're buying a new travel trailer, fifth wheel, Class C or A, what type of roof would you go with if you had the options of these two from a manufacturer??

I know nothing about TPO, have experience with fiberglass though.

I have a TPO on my coach. It's okay and time tested; its been a popular roof for years. I can feel some movement in places at times but it's thick rubber and does the job. If buying new the roof material would not be my first consideration but if I found two coaches identical in every way except one had TPO and one fiberglass, I might go for the fiberglass. If I did not find identical coaches, the roof would not be a consideration for me, too many other important items to consider.

[bodzcampers]

I would think fiberglass. Look at how many beautiful fiberglass boats are in the water at 30 or 40 years old. Tougher, built for the elements. I'm no expert, I'm just sayin'.

[1nshort]

Read this article. It pretty much lays things out and explains differences, pro and con and cost trade-offs:

Where the Rubber Meets the Roof | RV PRO

[burati1]

Thank you to everyone for your insights. Excellent information!!

[dezolen]

Never have another rubber roof on my rv. Sick of the black streaks running down the sides.

[Roll]

Originally Posted by dezolen

Never have another rubber roof on my rv. Sick of the black streaks running down the sides.

Ahhh so that's the culprit, the rubber on the roof. Agree, pain in the neck.

Roll

[cfsoistman]

Ours is fibreglass, easy to clean although very slippery when wet. Fibreglass is less streaky and doesn't cause the chalky run off that rubber roof systems have. Plus it won't tear from a low hanging branch.

[burati1]

Thank you for the information.

[RV Guy 5]

1st let's not mistake TPO for rubber, the new TPO roofs are made with an elastic vinyl type of material and has a felt backing to them. This material has reduced the black streaks significantly. With the felt backer there is no more use of chalk under the roof, to move the rubber while it is stretched thus again eliminating the chalk residue that turns black.
Also since the TPO is elastic and is stretched it will move while the unit is flexing during travel. When a fiberglass roof is laminated to the backer the is no stretching or flexing that is allowed and may crack. If your fiberglass roof cracks it will be a significant cost for repair apposed to a patch over the TPO. A side note fiberglass that most manufacturers use is not supposed to be bent at a 90 degree angle to wrap around the side of your roof, make sure there is not a trim piece on top of the roof to puddle water from running off or leaks are likely to occur! TPO comes with a 12 year warranty against defects, what is your warranty on a fiberglass roof? 1 year possibly?

[huntr70]

Originally Posted by RV Guy 5

1st let's not mistake TPO for rubber, the new TPO roofs are made with an elastic vinyl type of material and has a felt backing to them. This material has reduced the black streaks significantly. With the felt backer there is no more use of chalk under the roof, to move the rubber while it is stretched thus again eliminating the chalk residue that turns black.
Also since the TPO is elastic and is stretched it will move while the unit is flexing during travel. When a fiberglass roof is laminated to the backer the is no stretching or flexing that is allowed and may crack. If your fiberglass roof cracks it will be a significant cost for repair apposed to a patch over the TPO. A side note fiberglass that most manufacturers use is not supposed to be bent at a 90 degree angle to wrap around the side of your roof, make sure there is not a trim piece on top of the roof to puddle water from running off or leaks are likely to occur! TPO comes with a 12 year warranty against defects, what is your warranty on a fiberglass roof? 1 year possibly?

Winnebago offers a 10 year parts and labor warranty on their fiberglass roofs......do you cover labor or the material itself?

[bclemens]

Not to mention the vinyl has a felt backer...felt does what? absorbs water.

[dezolen]

When I had fibreglass boats they took a heck of a beating. Never found it cracking.
Had a trailer with the vinyl roof and never had black streaks like I did with my 2 rubber roofed trailers.
Never again as it's a pita

[Xhevoice]

Hi,

Do you travel with your cat? If yes, how did the cat adapt to it? How were you able to incorporate scratching post, litter box, toys, food and water bowls.

I'm Tanya, soon a newbie, researching my first Motorhome purchase and I will be traveling solo with two cats.

[breul]

I must be missing something?