Aluminum vs Fiberglass

Buy what you like. Personally I like smooth sides for ease of cleaning.

I think the odds of your trailer being struck by lightning while you’re in it are pretty slim.

I’ve had both, a previous aluminum sided trailer and now a fiberglass. I’ve heard the argument before that the fiberglass is easier to clean, but truthfully don’t see a difference in that respect.

One disadvantage of the fiberglass is the potential for delamination.

I would say pick a floor plan that suits your needs and don’t worry about the siding.

In my experience, the pros of metal are ease of repair and easier to keep looking shiny.

The downsides are it just looks older (or classic if you prefer) and it's harder to seal windows and stuff because of the corrugation.

Theoretically I can see the advantage of metal in a lightning strike, but at the same time it seems like metal would be more likely to get hit in the first place. but either way, that's such a remote possibility I wouldn't consider it a factor.

Personal choice of course.. I like the smooth side fiberglass myself..

When I was a kid, I hated washing the family trailer.. It was the corrugated aluminum siding and hated waxing it even more! Thanks Dad! :)

But loved the times we always had in it for sure...

That's why I always wanted my own RV when I could get one..

Since I still have to wash and wax it (no kids) I chose the smooth side. :)

Mitch

donn0128 wrote:
Buy what you like. Personally I like smooth sides for ease of cleaning.

Cleaning isn't really an issue but most 10yr old fiberglass units get really chaulky unless you really keep up on the compounding/waxing. Aluminum paint tends to stay nice and shiny with minimal effort.

Most it's about preference though.

If lightning strikes a direct hit, neither will fare well.

Lightning is the last thing I'd worry about.

I'm more afraid of delamination than I am lightning. We went back to stick and tin with our latest TT.

Roadhound 64 wrote:
Hello.....I am looking to buy a travel trailer. I have previously own 2 Fiberglass units. I saw a program on TV talking about RV's and the person was saying aluminum trailers were better in a lighting strike than fiberglass.
I would like to know what is the pro & con of the two.Thanks for your wisdom & knowledge.

This is as important a consideration to me as which unit would be best on the moon.

If you can swing the airstream, why not. Everywhere else, the fiberglass is considered an upgrade over the aluminum walled TT that I've seen.

Personally I think the fiberglass is easier to clean, wax, and keep caulked due to the smooth surface and joints.

The old stick and tin trailers can be really heavy.
Aluminum framing is stronger and lighter and not subject to rot. Aluminum framed trailers usually have fiberglass siding.
My next trailer will definitely have aluminum framing and probably fiberglass siding. It saves a lot of weight.

We went with Aluminum as our choice. The issue of lighting never crossed out minds on it.