Winnebago Fiberglass Roofs
FlexArmor locations see all brands of RVs come through needing a new roof. Every RV brand has a characteristic it is known for, and is it’s main selling strength. Winnebago Class A coaches are known for their solid frame construction, quality workmanship and the one piece fiberglass roof. Winnebago uses a thicker, sturdier fiberglass material which is different from other RV brands.
The fiberglass roof sheet used by Winnebago is around 60 mils thick and is fairly rigid. Winnebago roofs biggest issue is the white that appear on the sides from the fiberglass. Fiberglass deteriorates when the gel coat is eaten away by the ultraviolet light.
Photos of a Winnebago in our Green Cove Springs shop from start to finish
The Weak Point of Winnebago Roof Construction
Winnebago owners are experiencing a weak point with these fiberglass roofs. The nice, rigid fiberglass roofs are blowing off while going down the road or during storms with extreme wind. The first reaction is to say the owner hasn’t been taking care of the roof, hasn’t been maintaining the caulking. The cases coming into the FlexArmor locations do not support that assumption. FlexArmor locations see roofs that are stored under cover when not in use, recaulked yearly and never had any maintenance performed. Installation in the factory and design of the roof is the driving factor to the roof failures.
Winnebago bends the roof material over the edge and wedges it behind the side trim. Bending the fiberglass forms the nice rolled radius you see from the ground. No screws go in the fiberglass roof material. This construction method does not secure the roof material to the RV. The smallest hole or opening allows wind to get in under the fiberglass. Wind is able to pop the fiberglass right out from behind the track and partially, sometimes fully, the material blows off. Hurricanes and intense thunderstorms with high winds are also causing these types of roofs to lift up and experience damage. Winnebago does not glue the fiberglass to the underlaying wood on the roof. Once the wind gets under the fiberglass, it blows off since nothing is holding the fiberglass down.
We can help your Winnebago Roof
The biggest negative effect for owners is the cost to replace the roof. Unless it occurs during a storm, insurance considers these roofs blowing off to be a design/maintenance flaw and will not cover the replacement. Replacing a fiberglass roof on a Winnebago can be a costly job and range $10,000 or higher. If it is an insurance claim, it is not unusual to see the insurance company want to total the RV. Owners find themselves facing an unexpected expense and struggle to find an affordable solution.
FlexArmor roofs have proven to be a perfect solution for Winnebago owners in this situation. FlexArmor roofs are in the $6000 range. Each shop uses aluminum to recreate the side radius and blend with the existing roof line. The FlexArmor sprayed roof removes that need to worry about the side trim weak point, FlexArmor seals and bonds to the exposed edge.
Do you have an authorized company located in Lafayette, LA that can do the install.
Currently the closest location to you would be in Madison, MS, Dependable RV Services.
Do you have a location in North Carolina
Hi Macon! Yes, we have a shop in Kings Mountain, NC. There contact information is located here: https://kingsmountain.rvroof.com/
You can request a quote from that page or from our front page at https://rvroof.com
Please let us know if you have any other questions! 🙂
I have one of those Winnebago motor homes with a fiberglass roof that has blown off about two feet back all along the drivers side. I may be interested in your solution. What would be required from me for an insurance estimate. It is a 39’ adventurer model 38J. Also where is the nearest service center to Yuma,az.?
Hi Jonathan!
You can submit a request for a quote here: https://rvroof.com/get-a-quote/ . This will get the ball rolling, and the shop can discuss your insurance estimate with you.
The closest shop to Yuma would be either Denton or Bertram, TX. Their web pages are below:
Denton, TX: https://denton.rvroof.com/
Bertram, TX: https://bertram.rvroof.com/
Please let us know if you have any other questions! 🙂
Do you have a dealer in the Tampa bay Florida Area?? I need what you have …
Hi Bob!
We have an authorized applicator in Palmetto. You can request a quote from them via the form on the front page of this website.
Please let us know if you have any more questions!
I have a 1994 winnebago brave 31q , boise idaho location near me
Prices vary slightly from shop to shop, but you can get an accurate quote at the shop most convenient to you (at home or during your adventures) by filling out the form here: https://rvroof.com/get-a-quote/
Right now, it looks like Texas would be the closest to you, but we are working on opening a shop in Missouri. We expect that to be open this fall.
Is there a shop in the SF Bay Area, Ca; that does these kind of repairs? Preferably in the Walnut Creek areathanks
Hello Barry:
At this time, we do not have any authorized applicators in California. The closest one would be in Texas. You can view the locations here, and see if one of our shops might be along the path of a future adventure.
We are in the process of adding additional shops. You can follow us on Facebook to be notified of new shops opening.
Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Have a GREAT day!
Hi,
You specifically mentioned the Class A Winnebagos. We were recently having the furnace repaired on our newly purchased 2012 Winnebago Class C and after inspection (which wasn’t requested) were told it needs a new roof. Could this present as the same issue… flying off while driving down the highway? The repair shop replaced the gasket between the roof and AC unit which he suggested had never been replaced. We had not seen any evidence of leakage ourselves, but he said the wallpaper curling along the roof in the shower area was an indication. It looks like Charlotte would be the closest location to us in East TN.
Hi Keri:
Class Cs are a rubber roof, they aren’t fiberglass like the class As in the blog. So they would not fly off like that.
If you have signs of a leak, we recommend contacting the shop in Kings Mountain to get a quote. They will be able to tell you if there is a leak, once they begin the work. Any damage that needs to be repaired will be done prior to the FlexArmor roof being applied.
Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Have a GREAT day!
So, the roof on the Sprinter based view is Rubber?
Typically Sprinters are rubber roofs.
2005 winnebago minnie 31c every year i get up there and recaulk the seams on 2 side went up there to caulk again this year and realized the driver side of the rv has a bubble under it and the bubble goes back about 15 feet from what i can tell it looks like the roof has been replaced and they left to much slack in roof, cause on it sides are still tucked in under aluminum track……does this sound like the problem you hear alot
thanks tommy b
so forgot to ask the question i was looking for is there a flexarmor close by
Hi Thomas: I’m waiting to hear back from another person in our shop before I reply to your first question. I’ll get that posted ASAP.
The question I can answer immediately – You can view our shops here: https://rvroof.com/find-a-location. If there is not one nearby, consider one that is along the route of your next adventure!
I have a 2007 Winnebago tour TD40 and I have what appears to be a ‘worn’ spot on the roof between the air horn. can I use a rubberized white paint for the repair or what do you recommend.
You could use a white paint but this is not adding back the missing fiberglass if the ant has actually worn it down. The fiberglass on roofs is not very thick and you could have cracks that go all the way to your attic space so keep an eye on the area for water intrusion if you cover it with a paint or elastomeric.
do you have a shop around minneapolis mn?
I’m sorry. We do not have a shop in that area. Lifetime RV Roof in the Kansas City, MO area would be the closest to you. https://kansascity.rvroof.com/
I wonder if you sprayed white bed liner before you have issues? This stuff is heavy and is very water proof and durable?
Thoughts here?
You wouldn’t want to spray a white bedliner on your roof for 3 reasons. It won’t stay white, it turns yellow in the sun. It won’t bond to the fiberglass or aluminum on the edges so it won’t stay on. It is still and brittle and will crack with the movement of the RV.