Aluminum vs Fiberglass

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.

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

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.

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.

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