The end of the Elite Suite

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

You didn't talk to the "Queen" of DRV's now did you???

I was in talks with her on the build of my rig. But I think I remember her saying stick with the rubber roof.

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by rynosback

I was in talks with her on the build of my rig. But I think I remember her saying stick with the rubber roof.

In my opinion (FWIW!) rubber roofs - or more precisely, TPO - are much better than fiberglass. It’s just simply a better product for the purpose. Older rubber roofs, before TPO, were not that great and higher end coaches often had fiberglass. It became the gold standard but as already pointed out it is heavy, expensive, subject to fading and chalking and is more difficult to repair if damaged. I liken it to the use of copper plumbing in home construction. It was the gold standard for many years and many homeowners and builders demanded “nothing less”. But PEX is better in every way and finally won the day. Maybe just because all of the old timers died - or at least stopped building new houses!

[Porthole]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

it is heavy, expensive, subject to fading and chalking and is more difficult to repair if damaged.

Supposedly adds about 200 pounds, but that is just hearsay from the DRV reps
Adds about $2,000

They don't fade or chalk because there are painted with the same automotive finish.

Difficult to repair is apples to oranges.
A small tear, rip gouge etc in either can be 'repaired' with eternabond tape

Larger repairs with the membrane roof are much more costly if you are stripping the roof.

Fiberglass roofs are just 'bodyshop' repairs.

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by Porthole

Supposedly adds about 200 pounds, but that is just hearsay from the DRV reps

Adds about $2,000



They don't fade or chalk because there are painted with the same automotive finish.



Difficult to repair is apples to oranges.

A small tear, rip gouge etc in either can be 'repaired' with eternabond tape



Larger repairs with the membrane roof are much more costly if you are stripping the roof.



Fiberglass roofs are just 'bodyshop' repairs.

The fiberglass roof on my 2017 Winnebago, like the sidewalls, was not painted. When I traded it the roof and one side was showing deterioration from the sun. You’re certainly correct that a full membrane roof replacement might be more costly than a large repair on fiberglass. I hope I never suffer that kind of damage and if I do that it will be covered by insurance!

[Porkchop]

I've looked at a lot of DRV's with fiberglass roofs. None of them were painted. Something new maybe?

Bill

[Cummins12V98]

Probably just the radiuses edges.

[jr_nicholson]

DRV website only lists Mobile Suites and Full House models. No Elite Suites. When you order a Mobile you can opt for an Elite option. I guess the end of the Elite suite is here.

[Cummins12V98]

Originally Posted by jr_nicholson

DRV website only lists Mobile Suites and Full House models. No Elite Suites. When you order a Mobile you can opt for an Elite option. I guess the end of the Elite suite is here.

I opted for several Elite options like the paint. Too many were gaudy for our liking so ours is a Highly Elited MS.

[Terry and Jo]

Back before DRV went to the straight-line roof, the fiberglass roofs were a two-piece installation. The main issue at that time was at the seam between the two pieces.

When we ordered our 2010, fiberglass was an option, but we elected to not go that way because of cost and because of the warranties on the two different kinds of roof. While we don't RV like most other people, we aren't in a situation where there is a lot of flex in the roof from traveling nor lots of branches and stuff to worry about poking holes.


I guess that God has just looked out for us because we have had very few issues since living in our Mobile Suites for the last 10 years. Roof isn't leaking, but it could use some kind of coating added. Batteries lasted 8 years before we replaced them, just because of their age. We've even still got the original tires on the trailer, although we did replace the Never-Lube axles and hubs with EZ-Lube ones. When we replaced the axles and had the wheels off, the wife and I checked each one for cracks and couldn't find any either in the treads or the sidewalls.


Terry

[kb0zke]

Ten years ago we toured the DRV factory. The gentleman giving the tour made an interesting comment about the difference between an Elite and Mobile Suites. By playing with the options you could create two virtually identical coaches, but one said Elite Suites and the other said Mobile Suites. The Elite Suites would sell for more as a used coach simply because of the name.


Not sure if that is true now, though.

[Cummins12V98]

I am sure it's still true.

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by kb0zke

Ten years ago we toured the DRV factory. The gentleman giving the tour made an interesting comment about the difference between an Elite and Mobile Suites. By playing with the options you could create two virtually identical coaches, but one said Elite Suites and the other said Mobile Suites. The Elite Suites would sell for more as a used coach simply because of the name.


Not sure if that is true now, though.

I would agree with that.
I have like 2 pages of custom changes on my rig. just like everything, you have to across the buyer to see max return.

[Porthole]

Option to option, the Elite would command more in a trade because of the bluebook value, but if you are selling outright you have to find the buyer as Ryan mentions.

We did many changes to our trailer as well and did not go for the Elite simply because we didn't like the colors.

But we didn't custom order looking at that resale value.
Resale value means little if you don't get what you want at this price point.

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by Porthole

Option to option, the Elite would command more in a trade because of the bluebook value, but if you are selling outright you have to find the buyer as Ryan mentions.

We did many changes to our trailer as well and did not go for the Elite simply because we didn't like the colors.

But we didn't custom order looking at that resale value.
Resale value means little if you don't get what you want at this price point.

I also was not thinking of resale when we ordered ours. We ordered it with changes to our liking and we tend to keep things for a while. We don’t look for new shiny things every 3-4 years.