Grand Design. New No Leak RV Roof. Success or Failure?
Grand Design has decided they needed to make a change. The company has been struggling over the last few years due to the frame flex issue. Right on the tail of that issue is the complaints about the bubbles, wrinkles, and blowing up in the front. Late in 2025, they announced their new composite roof, which uses gaskets instead of caulking. No more wood, you can drop a cinderblock on it and won’t damage it. Grand Design claims the new worry-free roof hammers the competition. It will only be on certain fifth wheels, such as Solitude and Influence. Based on the past and the RV industry’s track record, a slow, limited introduction is a good idea, a chance to work out the bugs.
Grand Design RV Roof Claims
Grand Design advertises the roof as a marine-grade system with no wood, no caulking, and wrap-around edges. A few ads claim that the sides resist impacts. The roof components sit on automobile-grade gaskets, eliminating the need to replace or inspect caulking. Sounds like a solid idea, listening to the public, moving to change. Proudly showing the new roof at the Tampa SuperShow in 2026. You would think that when you are introducing a brand-new roof and need to rebuild consumer confidence, you would take time to make a great impression. The display model they showed at the show left much to be desired. The no-caulking roof model had caulking. The roof material, which Grand Design claimed could stand up to a cinder block, felt flimsy, similar to a filon (fiberglass) RV roof. The real kicker? Enternabond tape to seal the front and rear end caps. The real problem was the lack of information; there was no representative to explain the roof system. A chance to wow the crowd, and they dropped the ball big time.
We searched social media and YouTube and found no major reviews or comments. An attendee we personally know sent over this video they shot at the show. What is your first impression based on these videos?
Video of Grand Design RV Roof Tampa Supershow 2026
Gaskets on Fixtures. New Idea or Repurposed?
The concept of using gaskets and removing caulk is a good idea. It isn’t new; Foretravel motorhomes used this as the standard before 1980. A pre-1980 Foretravel had an aluminum roof. All vents sat on a gasket, cut exactly to the shape of the vent or component beneath it. Gaskets under each screw. Nobody fills forums with roof complaints; the system worked effectively. Foretravel quality is above and beyond, in the same realm as Prevost. Foretravel numbered each unit and built them solidly.
Keep in mind that the gasket concept has been done successfully by a high-end builder. Grand Design is not on the same level. Fifth wheels and Travel Trailers move quickly down the assembly line. Workers do not have time to ensure everything is lined up and each part is installed correctly. Grand Design is already putting out the new roof. Quality control is a weak point at Grand Design, and it has not improved. These pictures say it all.
Consumer Confidence in New Roof Design?
What do you think of these roof pictures? Every one of these pictures was taken of a Grand Design at the FlexArmor location in Delaware. Double Deuces RV Roofing Delaware. The roof was not brought in due to active leaks; it came straight from the dealership. The owner had a new roof installed to prevent leaks. They did not have faith that Grand Design installed the new roof correctly.
There is hope that Grand Design will correct the installation. Social Media persona ThatRVTech took the pictures straight to upper management at Grand Design. You can see the full post here.
Grand Design Says No Wood to Rot but Trusses are Wood?
We covered gaskets. What’s underneath? There isn’t much information on the panels used under the top layer. Pictures show wood trusses under the sheet. Grand Design released vague descriptions, stating that it is made of three layers of marine-grade materials, including high-strength fiberglass, and that it was developed with TekModo.
The question we keep circling has to do with the wooden trusses. Water intrusion would damage the structure. It will be harder to spot due to the less flexible substrate. The roof won’t rot, but what about ceilings, walls, and attic space? The substrate leads to another question. Will the roof have trouble staying attached to the sidewalls if it can’t move with any flexing of the RV?
In Conclusion, Grand Design Might Want More Testing
We are glad to see Grand Design making an effort, but effort means nothing without execution. That RV Tech puts it best: wait a few years, let the problems surface, and give Grand Design a chance to address them before you commit. With only two social media posts out there, and both showing quality issues, that advice is hard to argue with.
Have you seen the new roof in person? Do you own one? We want to hear from you. Drop a comment below.
