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Which RV Roofing Material is Better, Vinyl Or Rubber?
by Rex Taylor
(Katy, TX)
Trying to decide between a Cruiser with a rubber roof and a Rockwood with a vinyl roof. Can anyone tell me why one would be better than the other?
ANSWER Greetings Rex thanks for submitting your question on our Ask An RV Question Page.
I cannot really tell you which is better. Most new RVs built right now have rubber roofs. The fact that RV manufacturers prefer rubber roofs does not mean that a vinyl roof is bad, it means that it really comes down to cost of manufacturing an RV.
How long an RV roof lasts really depends on how well it is maintained. The roof on your RV should be cleaned and inspected at least 3 times a year. Cleaning the roof regularly prevents build up of tree sap, bird droppings and other harmful chemicals that can speed up the deterioration of an RV roof.
Another factor that speeds up the deterioration is Ozone, Ultraviolet Rays, etc. So you should also apply a roof protectant product that shields against those harmful rays and chemicals. If you are looking for some great RV roof cleaning products at very reasonable prices, you can visit The Everything About RVing Camping and RVing Accessory Store, just type in "roof cleaner" (minus the quotation marks) in the search box in the upper right hand corner of our store.
Minor rips or tears in a Rubber or Vinyl roof can also be easily repaired as long as there is not severe damage. This is why you also inspect the roof while cleaning it.
Bottom Line I would suggest that you choose your RV based on which one fits your lifestyle the best. Both types of roofs will serve you well as long as you perform the maintenance outlined above.
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Happy RVing
RVing Al