I am researching to buy my first travel trailer. I have looked at the pros and cons of aluminum vs fiberglass and have decided I would prefer to go with a fiberglass exterior. Now I have questions and concerns about the de-lamination issue. First, is it a problem that happens a lot? I understand that the underlying cause would be water leaks, so if you prevent leaks, then no problem. However I am aware that water will usually find a way. Second, Coachmen is producing TTs with a product called Azdel. Instead of using wood in the sides to attach the fiberglass laminate, they use Azdel. As explained to me by the salesman, with a wood backing, if water gets in, the wood absorbs the water, expands, and presto you get de-lamination. Azdel does not absorb water, thus it will not expand and de-lamination is less likely to occur. It sounds reasonable to me, however I am not an expert. The salesman could be just "selling" his TT and feeding me some, well you know what. (On another issue, I am amazed by the number of sales people I have run into that do not seem to know their "stuff". This guy seemed pretty knowledgeable.)So any experience out there with the de-lamination issue and the pros-cons of Azdel? Thanks!

One would have to know how any water that leaks inside the layers affects the adhesive bond. Azdel is not going to save your bacon if water leaks inside the bonded wall composite.Delamination, although not rare, is not a given occurrence. There are many filon sided trailers that suffer no delamination. The trick is to keep up with sealant maintenance or upgrade to a sealant that doesn't need constant upkeep, like Eternabond tapes.

Our 2014 Coachmen has Azdel sidewalls and I did have a rather serious leak not long after delivery due to a gap in the Proflex sealant but no harm, no foul because of the Azdel. Note though that just the sidewalls are Azdel on the Coachmen Freedom Express series, the front and back walls are luan.

The benefits of Azdel are that they don't rot. If you get water intrusion, it could still cause delamination in theory, but the structure behind the fiberglass wouldn't rot.

Delamination is not rampant in the RV world. Very few RVs have delamination of the siding when compared to the total number of RVs on the road.Good preventative maintenance will keep water out. Our current 5th wheel is a 1994 model that we have had since new. It has never been covered and has sat out in the weather 24/7 for 23 years. 2 years ago one small section of the siding showed signs of delamination. It was due to a leak around one window. Because I was taking care of my 90+ year old dad with dementia I had stopped doing routine inspections and maintenance so the 5th wheel and our house suffered a little. Preventative maintenance is important...

As posted...it's all about leaks. Most often I see delam. on front and back caps (when I even do see it). Glue failure can cause it too, but this is even less common.Here is an extreme example (no mine thank goodness)

Is de-lamination a big problem? Can Azdel help?

westend
Explorer
Jun 02, 2017
One would have to know how any water that leaks inside the layers affects the adhesive bond. Azdel is not going to save your bacon if water leaks inside the bonded wall composite.

Delamination, although not rare, is not a given occurrence. There are many filon sided trailers that suffer no delamination. The trick is to keep up with sealant maintenance or upgrade to a sealant that doesn't need constant upkeep, like Eternabond tapes.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jun 02, 2017
Our 2014 Coachmen has Azdel sidewalls and I did have a rather serious leak not long after delivery due to a gap in the Proflex sealant but no harm, no foul because of the Azdel. Note though that just the sidewalls are Azdel on the Coachmen Freedom Express series, the front and back walls are luan.
spoon059
Explorer II
Jun 02, 2017
The benefits of Azdel are that they don't rot. If you get water intrusion, it could still cause delamination in theory, but the structure behind the fiberglass wouldn't rot.
the_bear_II
Explorer
Jun 02, 2017
Delamination is not rampant in the RV world. Very few RVs have delamination of the siding when compared to the total number of RVs on the road.

Good preventative maintenance will keep water out. Our current 5th wheel is a 1994 model that we have had since new. It has never been covered and has sat out in the weather 24/7 for 23 years. 2 years ago one small section of the siding showed signs of delamination. It was due to a leak around one window. Because I was taking care of my 90+ year old dad with dementia I had stopped doing routine inspections and maintenance so the 5th wheel and our house suffered a little.

Preventative maintenance is important...
downtheroad
Explorer
Jun 02, 2017
As posted...it's all about leaks. Most often I see delam. on front and back caps (when I even do see it). Glue failure can cause it too, but this is even less common.

Here is an extreme example (no mine thank goodness)
rexlion
Explorer
Jun 02, 2017
I like the fiberglass exteriors, too. They are more dent resistant than aluminum and they look nice to my eye.

About water intrusion problems, these can happen with equal ease in either type. We had a post on this forum just a few days ago from someone who bought a used Aerolite and then discovered problems. Aerolite was one of the earliest to adopt aluminum stud framing that held a fiberglass-foam-lauan laminated sandwich construction. But this new owner found that the trailer's roof had been leaking and the foam was so saturated, when he started to mess with the ceiling the entire thing was coming down. The foam used by most of the RV industry does not resist water. So any time a roof leak goes undetected, there's potential for mold and damage. Doesn't matter if there is wood to rot or not.

The only type of trailer I've found that isn't subject to wall and ceiling degradation from water intrusion is the molded-fiberglass trailer. The best of these is probably the Oliver, sold factory direct in TN. Even so, one still must be vigilant for water line leaks, window leaks, doorway leaks, vent seal leaks, etc.
trail-explorer
Explorer
Jun 02, 2017
WCMLSX wrote:
However I am aware that water will usually find a way.

Keep it sealed and it won't leak.
goducks10
Explorer
Jun 02, 2017
Look on the brite side. If you have delam then you know you have a leak. If you have the old style corrugated aluminum siding and have a leak, well you may not know it until you have dry rot. Delam is mainly cosmetic. It can be caused by a bad glue. More than likely it's from a leak. You won't have the bigger dry rot problems with an aluminum framed trailer with delam.
In either case it's not good. Delam can be a major $$$$ repair or as simply as a small fiberglass repair depending on how big the delam area is.
Not too many Rv'ers can repair delam.
On the other hand fixing dry rot and replacing aluminum exterior panels would be easier.
I think you take your chances either way. Keeping up religiously on maintenance is the key.
WCMLSX
Explorer
Jun 02, 2017
Thanks to everyone for the responses! Your insight is very helpful. I would like to add one more reason why I am leaning toward fiberglass: weight. They are generally lighter than the aluminum/wood frame TTs.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jun 02, 2017
I would certainly get one with azdel if available, my ascend is.
bumpy