Why TPO roof instead of aluminum?

[wvabeer]

Why TPO roof instead of aluminum? I never had good luck with TPO.

[leslie]

I believe it is less costly than an all-aluminum roof.

[wvabeer]

Even on a site that sell it says not for rv's.

[mdpempsell]

Glad I got aluminum.

[djmiller]

Hopefully I can help clear the air a bit on the roof changes we made earlier this year. This change actually increased the cost to build our product across all product lines. The Aluminum was replaced with a product called SuperFlex.  SuperFlex is an Olefin-based single ply membrane approximately half the weight of EPDM rubber. Because of its flexibility, it conforms very easily to the shape of the roof.  Because aluminum does not conform to bowed roofs in more than one direction, our roofs of the past had been relatively flat. Water does not run off a flat roof and aluminum is also harder to seal around openings. When we went to bowed aluminum roof rafters and also had to transition to the round front ends of our products to create better water run-off, it led to the aluminum wrinkling creating hard to seal areas.  (Aluminum does not like to bend in more than one direction.) This created a lot more labor trying to insure a leak free roof.  On the aftermarket side of things the pluses are:

1.)   A better constructed product with less chance of developing a leak.
2.)   Increased R value - along with this change, under the super flex, is either a 2.7mm or 5.2mm layer of Azdel adding an additional R2 or R4 to the roof.
3.)   In the summer aluminum roofs can get rather hot, the off white color of the SuperFlex roof reflects UV energy keeping the interior cooler.

Other Benefits of using SuperFlex are:
•   Does not chalk (will not turn the side of the RV gray
•   Compared to EPDM is .165 lbs/sq. foot vs EPDM at .29 lbs/sq foot
•   Has better puncture resistance than EPDM
•   Has a nonskid surface for better traction
•   Easily repairable
•   Same color through the substrate
•   Will not shrink or crack

Dan Miller

[mitch]

So what is the cross-section of the roof now?

[djmiller]

[quote timestamp="1461769687" source="/post/20829/thread" author="@mitch"]So what is the cross-section of the roof now?
[/quote]If we are talking about the Camplite Travel Trailers and Truck Campers. Currently we are using 1 1/2 lb density profiled roof brick (EPS) that is 1.25 to 3.75 in thick, vacuum bonded to decorative 2.7mm Azdel cieling board on the interior and 2.7mm raw Azdel on the exterior between bowed aluminum roof rafters on 16" centers. On top of the 2.7mm raw Azdel we bond the Superflex membrane.

The Toyhauler lines are very similar with the exception of in place of the profiled roof brick are are using Fiberglass insulation with 5.2MM Raw Azdel panels on the top bonded to the Superflex.

[philip47]

I have a 2015 21bhs. With aluminum roof I was wondering what the spacing was for the rafters.  I hope to add solar in the future

[daplumbr]

[quote timestamp="1461769687" source="/post/20829/thread" author="@mitch"]So what is the cross-section of the roof now?

If we are talking about the Camplite Travel Trailers and Truck Campers. Currently we are using 1 1/2 lb density profiled roof brick (EPS) that is 1.25 to 3.75 in thick, vacuum bonded to decorative 2.7mm Azdel cieling board on the interior and 2.7mm raw Azdel on the exterior between bowed aluminum roof rafters on 16" centers. On top of the 2.7mm raw Azdel we bond the Superflex membrane.

The Toyhauler lines are very similar with the exception of in place of the profiled roof brick are are using Fiberglass insulation with 5.2MM Raw Azdel panels on the top bonded to the Superflex.
[/quote]Thanks for the roof info! I appreciate the details. 

[farmboy]

It is great to again have some input from the factory!  

[mitch]

[quote source="/post/20834/thread" author="@djmiller" timestamp="1461775723"][quote timestamp="1461769687" source="/post/20829/thread" author="@mitch"]So what is the cross-section of the roof now?
[/quote]If we are talking about the Camplite Travel Trailers and Truck Campers. Currently we are using 1 1/2 lb density profiled roof brick (EPS) that is 1.25 to 3.75 in thick, vacuum bonded to decorative 2.7mm Azdel cieling board on the interior and 2.7mm raw Azdel on the exterior between bowed aluminum roof rafters on 16" centers. On top of the 2.7mm raw Azdel we bond the Superflex membrane.

The Toyhauler lines are very similar with the exception of in place of the profiled roof brick are are using Fiberglass insulation with 5.2MM Raw Azdel panels on the top bonded to the Superflex.
[/quote]Thanks, as others mentioned it's nice to have clarity from the factory.

[djmiller]

I have a 2015 21bhs. With aluminum roof I was wondering what the spacing was for the rafters.  I hope to add solar in the future

Always has been 16" O/C starting from the rear of the roof.  The may be a couple of extra around the roof vents.

[wvabeer]

[quote timestamp="1461864599" source="/post/20867/thread" author="@djmiller"]

I have a 2015 21bhs. With aluminum roof I was wondering what the spacing was for the rafters.  I hope to add solar in the future

Always has been 16" O/C starting from the rear of the roof.  The may be a couple of extra around the roof vents.


[/quote]I am glad I purchased the aluminum roof model. I guess its all about the money.

[leslie]

I thought they were all aluminum, not rubber, bonded "delam" type systems.  I've been telling everyone about the "Take a hose and wash them out"... sounds like a regular motorhome/rv/trailer only with more aluminum than usual - I hate bonded anything!

Now that my heart is broken on the bonding issue, I might as well keep my slightly delamed Monaco... alum frame - Make a unit that is all aluminum... aircraft have compound aluminum curves... Air Stream as well... I will buy one of the 100% models "That can't delam anywhere"...

Very surprised to find this page,

Gary

Gary, check the For Sale section here. Someone might be willing to sell their pre-Thor Camplite. Also, a dealer might be able to find a pre-Thor Camplite for you. I think it is all about the money, as someone else mentioned. I think my all-aluminum Camplite will only gain in value. Only thing is, if one of my kids want it when my RVing days are over...