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.
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