Greetings,

The basic differences between the older ABS roof and the newer composite
roof are noticeable by simple visual inspection.  The ABS roof has rounded
top edges all around, has the appearance of a solid one-piece molded design,
and for all the world looks and feels like it's made of the same plastic
material that the Coleman coolers are made from.

The newer roof has squared edges front and back with sealed seams, a
slightly higer, squarer profile and two parallel tracks for roof racks
already installed from the factory.  It looks, feels (and dents) like metal,
which is what the skin is made from.

There are two common problems with the older ABS roof - sagging and hairline
cracks.  Sagging is more noticeable if you have an AC unit installed on the
roof, and if you run a string from the front to the back edges and pull it
tight you should be able to see a dip in the center of the roof.  Many ABS
roofs have one or two interior braces installed along the ceiling from
side-to-side to help prevent sag.  Hairline cracks are commonly found in the
corners and at the lift points where most of the stress occurs.

If you have an older ABS roof with one or both of these issues it can be
replaced under warranty if you are the original owner (you still have to pay
shipping, but it's still much less than paying for the roof and
installation).  If the person you purchased the camper from is willing,
perhaps he can help you if you need a new roof.

Cheers - Jonathan

My first popup was a 1994 Coleman Rio Grande - the exact same thing only
built 2 years earlier.  It did not have the ABS roof.  Mine had the
distinctive seam running down the middle of the roof.  If you see the seam
it is not the ABS roof.  Don't know what they did in 1996.

That is a nice camper, I really liked it until it got rear-ended.  I liked
how it sat low so you could see very easily over it using only the rear
view mirror - no side view extensions needed at all.  It was very durable
too.  One thing I did and I recommend is to put better tires on it.  Go
for the highest load range you can find.  When I did this it was a major
difference in how it tracked behind the Sienna.  It took the wandering
away, and we go on long trips on interstates plenty.

If you have other questions about it please feel free to ask.
Tomes
Tomes