Concern with Fiberglass Roof delamination and cracking

Mike91 · 09-20-2018, 07:52 PM

I was already to call my dealer about a purchase, and started reading here and everywhere about how bad these Pop Up fiberglass roofs are and how they delaminate and crack.

I'm looking at a 2019, and most problem Forest River roofs were 2017 and previous, is this something that will happen just a matter of time. I definitely don't want to jump out of the frying pan (Travel Trailer maintenance headaches) into the fire(bad roof designs).

I didn't keep my previous 2 pop ups long enough to see if this would had been a problem. Plus the last Starcraft had a LIFETIME limited roof warranty. Forest Rivers roof issues all the internet and their short 5 year roof warranty is not making me feel good about a Rockwood Pop Up purchase.

Thanks for your help again!

michigan_camper · 09-20-2018, 08:10 PM

I didn't know it was a problem. I have a 2017 HW296 and mine is fine. The internet has a way of making some issues seem exaggerated.

Mike91 · 09-21-2018, 05:01 AM

I hope you're right.

Thanks for responding

emoney · 09-21-2018, 05:12 AM

Well, I don’t know if it was design or poor maintenance but I just sold an ‘08 Viking that was starting to delam and will require a serious rebuild at some point. I tend to believe that everything can be avoided with a little effort. I was the 2nd owner and it was that way when I got it. Pop ups are much easier because you can access the roof so quickly and you can get and use a cover with ease. With proper inspections and an assumption that water is going to try to get in, I believe the problems can be avoided. I only moved up because of set up time.

Soft 17 · 09-21-2018, 12:28 PM

I dont know. I already had my roof replaced under warranty. Its not the same roof. I am told the replacement is better.

Amartin453 · 09-21-2018, 03:19 PM

I purchased a new 2016 FR Rockwood Premier 2516g in 2015. I started to notice the delamination about two years into camping, not knowing what it was but inquired with FR. They told me to send them pictures and got back to me quickly informing me it was in fact delamination. FR ordered me a new roof which they (build only when ordered) and shipped it to an authorized dealer near me who installed it. The roof was delivered and installed in 6 weeks and I was pleasantly surprised how good of a job the dealer did putting the canvas back in place and also very happy with the new light that came with new roof over the shower/toilet area.

Mike91 · 09-21-2018, 05:45 PM

Do you think the new roof is built so it doesn't delaminate? And was the old roof a design defect that is causing these roofs to delaminate.

My stick and tin travel trailer has some problems so I'm wanting to rid myself of the grief. I surely don't want to get in bed with even a bigger problem.

I live only about 2 hours from the Forest River factory in Elkhart. Can you have them do the roof replacement over a dealer. My dealer, if I choose to buy from them, is about 2 hours away also due to Chicago traffic.

I was even going to call Forest river and see if they would do routine maintenance on the camper just like Starcraft did. I had Starcraft recaulk and do all the maintenance at their factory. The cost wasn't anymore than the dealer and perhaps even cheaper.

Amartin453 · 09-21-2018, 10:48 PM

I am hoping FR fixed the delamination issues for good, but I never received any information from FR to support that its a permanent fix. Only time will tell!

What I do know is replacing 100s of roofs at no cost to the owner is not cost effective for FR, but as long as your under warranty you should have peace of mind as an old or new owner. Regarding being so close to the factory, that’s great because whether or not the work gets done there or somewhere close by, the shipping time of the new roof will be cut in half.

You would think FR would do the replacement work but don’t be surprised if they ship the new roof to another authorized dealer to install.

Mike91 · 09-22-2018, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amartin453

I am hoping FR fixed the delamination issues for good, but I never received any information from FR to support that its a permanent fix. Only time will tell!

What I do know is replacing 100s of roofs at no cost to the owner is not cost effective for FR, but as long as your under warranty you should have peace of mind as an old or new owner. Regarding being so close to the factory, that’s great because whether or not the work gets done there or somewhere close by, the shipping time of the new roof will be cut in half.

You would think FR would do the replacement work but don’t be surprised if they ship the new roof to another authorized dealer to install.

Thanks for the information.

thecrosses · 09-23-2018, 11:16 AM

We have a 2015 Forest River HW276 pop-up that has had no issues ‘yet’ with the roof (fingers crossed). I do put a heavy coat of wax on it every season and the pop-up is kept in our covered garage when not on the road or in use.

Mike91 · 09-23-2018, 12:40 PM

I talked to my dealer, who actually is pretty honest from what I've seen. They have only seen some from a limited 3 month run in 2017. They pretty much replaced all those roofs that were in that 3 months run. Out of those 3 months, he said he hasn't had any other issues with roof cracks or delamination.

dtptrson · 10-02-2018, 09:27 AM

I haven't had any roof problems with either my old 2011 flagstaff Hw27sc or the current 2018 Rockwood HW296 yet. You should be aware of the the construction of the rolled edges front and rear. While the flat portion of the fiberglass roof is bonded to 1/4" luan plywood, the rolled portions are just fiberglass bonded to the Styrofoam and easily damaged.

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