Aluminum vs Fiberglass TT

Have had 3 or 4 of each. I prefer alum because its lighter and offers me more payload in my TV.
I have not found much difference in the cleaning and waxing of it with the products I use. It does take a little more time to re-caulk it due to the corrugated aluminum.
The aluminum can be repaired by any handy person using basic tools. Smooth sides will take more time, expense and a more experienced mechanic. A few dealers will tackle it many have to go back to the mfg.
If you plan to live in this for some time and you have a leak causing delamination, would you rather hire someone local to repair it on site and be done in a day or ship your trailer back to the mfg ? I have had an RV at a mfg for many months at a time loosing its use. It's your home and time.

My last two trailers were aluminum.
I washed them and waxed them once a year, and they looked as good as new six years later.
We make our decision on a new trailer by the floor plan and the cost.

Jack L

Looks- smooth for fiberglass vs corrugated look for aluminum.

Both require care. We like the smooth fiberglass look, though it seems harder to keep clean and waxed.

My motorhome was fiberglass. It started to delaminate and there's no fixing that for all practical purposes. It developed a small leak on the edge of the rubber roof. Hard to see but, good enough to trap water in the side and cause some delamination. When I started shopping for a new TT I looked at aluminum and bought aluminum. This is my second aluminum sided travel trailer and I've never had an issue. There is no perfect.

I've had several of each and I will never own another corrugated aluminum RV.
Way too hard to keep from leaking and dents and dings appear out of know where. And it's not a matter of maint. alone.
Some will say aluminum is cheaper to repair but that has not been my experience. A shop that specializes in RV bodywork can do undetectable repairs at a competitive price and ins. rates reflect that.
Besides, I don't buy vehicles based on what it costs to fix bodywork.
None of this is meant to be a slight to those that have alum. RV's. All RV's are built to a price point and those with alum body's fill a niche.

Trying not to drift off subject too much, but would like to point out that frameless windows actually do have a frame structure. It just doesn't show from the outside. The tech has been around for decades. I don't think you'll find one on an aluminum skinned trailer though.

If given the choice I will take aluminum every time. Here is why. Aluminum is proven and easy to replace. Ever hear of aluminum delaminating? Nope. Seems every time the RV industry comes up with something new it is for them, not the consumer. The latest scam is frameless windows. How can that be a good thing? Go aluminum

They both have there plus's and minus's.

Aluminum can dent from hail. Fiberglass can delam. Aluminum framing even has it's good points and bad points. Pick your poison.

BTW cheap TT'ers are not meant to be lived in for long periods of time. There are only a few makes and models on the market that are meant for close to full timing or full timing and they are not cheap. Make sure you don't make a mistake.

Astetics. The corrogated aluminum looks old, and is cheaper to buy, so it makes a cheaper trailer. Its also harder to clean and shine.