Aluminum vs. Fiberglass Siding
Aside from the obvious aesthetics and cost difference, is there a glaring advantage or disadvantage to one or the other?
Forum Discussion
- We went back to stick and tin with our most recent TT to avoid delamination. Other than that I prefer the smooth sides of the fiberglass.
theoldwizard1 wrote:
colliehauler wrote:
Smooth all aluminum trailer's such as Airstream, Livinlite and a few others are actually more money and premium quality.
About a year ago LivinLite switched from an aluminum floor to a traditional 3/4" plywood floor with no price reduction. Yes, their toy haulers still use alumimun floors.
The new floor in the Camplites is NOT plywood, or wood of any kind. It is a non-wood composite floor, still containing aluminum bracing as well as fiberglass and composites.bdpreece wrote:
I have never owned an aluminum sided RV that did not eventually develop pinholes from electrolysis somewhere.
Ah yes, we were looking for a T/T in your area, we live down the coast. anyway we were at a dealer and walked past an aluminum sided T/T and down the front side next to the drip rail were pin holes from electrolysis and it was on the lot as new.
Jay D.- It took me a minute to understand that myredracer was referring to the "I beam" trailer frame.
Though I don't know it for fact, I would be inclined to agree that the fiberglass laminated variety would indeed block more noise too. - If you have a TT that has one of the frames (the main I-beams) made from 3 pieces of sheet steel welded together, they flex a lot more. The frame flex can lead to failure in the welds of the superstructure aluminum framing. An aluminum superstructure is a heavy rigid welded "assembly" sitting on a base that moves up/down from towing or using the jacks. In comparison, wood framing has some give in it. The photo is what was found in a previous TT we owned not long after we owned it from new. Substandard welding at the factory could have contributed as well.
Both types of framing have various pros and cons. It's my understanding that wood roof trusses are preferable due to movement and I believe that's what Northwood uses in their units along with aluminum framing for the rest. We've owned both types. Fiberglass is def. easier to clean and wax and looks sexier. Regardless, preventing leaks is paramount along with ensuring moisture is exhausted from the interior if used in cold weather.
Ralph Cramden wrote:
Disadvantages (Fiberglass); If not built correctly or you have a bad enough leak, the adhesive or materials can fail resulting in delamination. Also if you damage it it's not easy to fix. The factories tend to replace the entire wall panel when damaged. Costs more to build and purchase.
Most water leaks occur on the roof OR at the roof to wall joint or around the windows. IMHO, RV manufactures have done little to solve these problems.
One piece, aluminum skinned roof, with preformed exact sized flashing around vents and A/C openings, would go a long way to solve a major part of the problem. That, in combination with a better edge transition system (like Rain Kap( and better sealants (EternaBond Tape ?) would be a major step up in build quality.
As for windows, take a page out the boaters book. Butyl tape.
Less those changes would add several hundred $$$ to an average TT, but would reduce maintenance and extend the life by many years.colliehauler wrote:
Smooth all aluminum trailer's such as Airstream, Livinlite and a few others are actually more money and premium quality.
About a year ago LivinLite switched from an aluminum floor to a traditional 3/4" plywood floor with no price reduction. Yes, their toy haulers still use alumimun floors.Ralph Cramden wrote:
Typical construction is thus, other than a few oddballs such as hung wall.
1 Fiberglass. It's laminated to Luan plywood which in turn is laminated to beaded foam ...
Some (many ?) manufacturers now use some type of synthetic (such as Azdel)/ for the exterior subsurface.- I have never owned an aluminum sided RV that did not eventually develop pinholes from electrolysis somewhere.
- A lot of fiberglass trailers have aluminum frames which saves weight and are stronger in the long run. You have to check. The old stick and tin trailers are cheaper to make but heavier. My next trailer will be fiberglass and aluminum.
