Rubber roof?

[Kingfish58]

I am in my third year of owning my first RV, and it occurred to me yesterday as I was passing an Airstream on the highway that many of the chronic problems on an RV can be traced to the common rubber roof an/or the connection to the sidewalls or slide leading to water intrusion.

I get that the aluminum construction found on an Airstream is much more expensive, but is the rubber roof the most cost effective roofing system available? It seems there are many polymer type solutions with lengthy warranties, Rhino Shield types, and others solutions for replacing a rubber roof that should be inexpensive and better. These seem to be a tougher, longer lasting roofing system that seemingly would be a better solution in new construction.

What am I missing? Or is it that the RV industry simply wants to not spend an additional dime to improve their product?

PS: I am lucky in that I have not had leaking issues YET.

[mark5w]

A penny saved is a penny earned. You are correct on your assumption. Doing one of your mentioned option would be cost effective only to the consumer, not the manufacturer.

[Kingfish58]

Well, if that is the case I think there is a great opportunity out there for a better built product at a mid tier price. I would pay extra for A bullet proof roof, better wheels and axles, and a top performing slide, etc. many others would as well.

[mark5w]

For what my 5er cost, all that should have been included.

[zrone90]

I has been done better my last rv an Excel had a full fiberglass roof. That being said you still have to cut holes in it and keep up with sealant maintenace

[DavisK]

I wonder if anyone ever put spray-on bedliner on camper roof. That stuff is really rugged.

[mark5w]

Been done by a few companies. Rhino Linings Corporation | Rhino Linings Corporation News - Coatings Company Press

[DavisK]

Originally Posted by mark5w

Been done by a few companies. Rhino Linings Corporation | Rhino Linings Corporation News - Coatings Company Press

They could probably do it in any color to match the RV too. I know when I got my Line-X bed done, I could have had it sprayed to match the truck.

[Kingfish58]

Originally Posted by mark5w

A penny saved is a penny earned. You are correct on your assumption. Doing one of your mentioned option would be cost effective only to the consumer, not the manufacturer.

Does anyone know the comparative costs of the rubber roof vs. a Rhino Shield type coating? I can't imagine the cost would be that different, and again, I thing it would be a better roofing solution.

[Kingfish58]

Originally Posted by zrone90

I has been done better my last rv an Excel had a full fiberglass roof. That being said you still have to cut holes in it and keep up with sealant maintenace

I was at a campground a while back and had squirrels scampering on my roof. Had to do a roof inspection to see if they tore the thin rubber membrane. Hard fiberglass sounds GREAT. I had great confidence in my fiberglass boat's ability to keep out water, even after drilling and sealing a few holes in the hull.

[travelin texans]

Check out Rv Armor roof coating.

[mgssrs]

Wieght in another big reason. People want 30 plus feet with slide outs and outside kitchens with all the comforts of home and still be able to pull it with a half ton. (That's me) Few peole want to spend what an Airstream costs. $80000 for a 28 footer with no slide is not what I'm looking for.
I get the cost and weight stuff but what really bugs me is the workmanship. It doesn't cost more to cut a hole straight or caulk a seam well than to do it poorly.

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[Kingfish58]

[QUOTE=mgssrs;127939]Wieght in another big reason. People want 30 plus feet with slide outs and outside kitchens with all the comforts of home and still be able to pull it with a half ton. (That's me) Few peole want to spend what an Airstream costs. $80000 for a 28 footer with no slide is not what I'm looking for.
I get the cost and weight stuff but what really bugs me is the workmanship. It doesn't cost more to cut a hole straight or caulk a seam well than to do it poorly.

That's me too. I let my truck dictate my camper.

Again, given the exploding sales of these things, I think there is a real opportunity for someone to make a better camper, with better QC, and better construction, at a price point in between Airstream and the typical Thor/Forest River product.

[travelin texans]

There have been those that tried, Grand Design, Carriage, to name a couple. Where are they now, Grand Design bought by Winnebago, Carriage went bust bought by Thor tried to resurrect & gone again. Also Evergreen Rvs, GONE. The others that build quality coaches, New Horizons, Continental Coaches, the working man can't afford not to mention you'll need a TRUCK, the six banger Ford's won't do it.