I'm sure this topic has already been covered but I am new to the forum and my husband and I are in the market for our first camper. I have been looking at lots of different models and I want to know your opinion on the lighter weight fiberglass shells vs the metal ones. I was told that the metal is easier to fix if you need to and I have seen lots of pictures of used fiberglass units that look really bad a few years down the road. We plan on storing ours under a metal carport in our yard. Any input??

I had both. Both have their advantages and their disadvantages. It' really 50/50. Each one requires a different way to clean and take care of it, but not any more difficult or easy for either one, just different.

Toss up. BTW, aluminum siding is lighter than FG. I prefer aluminum for now as I feel it holds paint better and is more durable.

If you keep whatever type you purchase clean and waxed, it will look good several years from now. Storing it under a carport will make it easier.

Factor in the weather where you'll be camping.We get hail here. A lot of hail. Our first TT ended up totaled because of hail damage. Largely cosmetic, but obvious and thorough.Our second TT is fiberglass. So far, we've been hailed on three times on camping trips this year. At least a couple of more times when we haven't been camping. None of it was big enough to do damage to the fiberglass or vents/windows/skylights, but it probably would have been just big enough to ding the aluminum siding, requiring another round with the insurance company.Hail may not be an issue in your area, but it was the deciding factor in our aluminum/fiberglass decision.

jtallon wrote:Factor in the weather where you'll be camping.We get hail here. A lot of hail. Our first TT ended up totaled because of hail damage. Largely cosmetic, but obvious and thorough.Our second TT is fiberglass. So far, we've been hailed on three times on camping trips this year. At least a couple of more times when we haven't been camping. None of it was big enough to do damage to the fiberglass or vents/windows/skylights, but it probably would have been just big enough to ding the aluminum siding, requiring another round with the insurance company.Hail may not be an issue in your area, but it was the deciding factor in our aluminum/fiberglass decision.I'm in the upstate of SC and we rarely get any hail. We have a pretty mild climate and we will most likely be camping in SC, NC, GA and TN. We have been using my grandparents camper which is a Springdale. My aunt and uncle also have a Springdale and they hit a large buck that ran between the truck and camper. It hit so hard that it knocked off the outlet cover on the inside of the front wall. You could actually see the imprint of his rack on the front of the camper. Since it is metal he was able to get the metal replaced and now you would never know that it happened.

Fiberglass vs Metal | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

BubbaChris
Explorer
Jul 17, 2015
Honestly, it is probably more important to focus on layout and features than on the exterior material. Especially if you're willing and able to stay on top of maintenance issues.
3oaks
Explorer
Jul 17, 2015
I like aluminum. Minimal upkeep and doesn't oxidize near as fast as fiberglass. I don't like to spend time waxing my TV, let alone my TT, although I do wax them both to protect them from the elements. I'd rather be spending my free time enjoying the great outdoors! My new TT is going to be fiberglass only because Arctic Fox does not come with aluminum.
valhalla360
Navigator
Jul 17, 2015
Assuming you aren't in hail country, the main advanatage of fiberglass is looks...but only if you keep up on it.

If you don't keep up on waxing, fiberglass starts looking chaulky and old in just a few years. Aluminum is more resiliant if you don't wax regularly.

The problem for aluminium is a brand new trailer looks dated as most new ones are fiberglass and it's harder to tell the true age from wear and tear on the surface.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Jul 17, 2015
JoyMarie wrote:
Ron3rd wrote:
DutchmenSport wrote:
I had both. Both have their advantages and their disadvantages. It' really 50/50. Each one requires a different way to clean and take care of it, but not any more difficult or easy for either one, just different.

X2, I've owned both, both are fine, I like the looks of fiberglass better personally and find it easier to wash.

I prefer the looks of the fiberglass a lot better also. I was just worried about the large bubbles that I have seen on some of the used trailers. Is that usually from water damage? I'm new to the fiberglass models so I don't know a lot about them. Like I said before, it will always be covered when we aren't camping.

The large bubbles you are referring to are delamination caused from water intrusion/damage.
scbwr
Explorer II
Jul 17, 2015
Our firt TT was aluminum sided, and our Minnie if fiberglass. Washing/waxing the fiberglass is much easier. Fiberglass has the delamination issue if you develop a leak, but aluminum can hide a leak until the damage gets pretty bad so with either product, you have to maintain all caulked seams.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Jul 17, 2015
I'm from hail country as well. This spring my aluminum sided trailer received damage on the door side from hail. I prefer fiberglass over stick and tin (aluminum). Both have advantages/disadvantages .

While the siding may be easier to replace on stick and tin I have found fiberglass more resilient not necessitating repairs with small dings.
old_guy
Explorer
Jul 17, 2015
I have had both also and depending on the length of the TT will add a min of 500 lbs to the TT over metal
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Jul 17, 2015
I had a 2012 Jayco Jay Flight. Metal. When towing in a rain storm it leaked bad. Couldn't get the problem fixed. I would never own another metal covered Rv. The water leaked in during rain storms only if being towed. Parked it never would leak. Leaked in between the seams.
JoyMarie
Explorer
Jul 17, 2015
Ron3rd wrote:
DutchmenSport wrote:
I had both. Both have their advantages and their disadvantages. It' really 50/50. Each one requires a different way to clean and take care of it, but not any more difficult or easy for either one, just different.

X2, I've owned both, both are fine, I like the looks of fiberglass better personally and find it easier to wash.

I prefer the looks of the fiberglass a lot better also. I was just worried about the large bubbles that I have seen on some of the used trailers. Is that usually from water damage? I'm new to the fiberglass models so I don't know a lot about them. Like I said before, it will always be covered when we aren't camping.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jul 17, 2015
DutchmenSport wrote:
I had both. Both have their advantages and their disadvantages. It' really 50/50. Each one requires a different way to clean and take care of it, but not any more difficult or easy for either one, just different.

X2, I've owned both, both are fine, I like the looks of fiberglass better personally and find it easier to wash.

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Fiberglass vs Metal

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