More new alum skinned campers than fiberglass

smkettner wrote:
Who makes aluminum frame and aluminum siding?
Too many posts about fiberglass troubles for me and I am indifferent to the "smooth look".

After 2005 all the komfort trailers were alumacage framed and some had aluminum siding.That is what a dealer told me? I saw one they had for sale. Nice but $$$.

profdant139 wrote:
For whatever it is worth, our fiberglass Fun Finder is far more well insulated than our older aluminum Fun Finder -- the new trailer has thick styrofoam bonded to the fiberglass. I am not sure that this is always true of all fiberglass trailers.

I have found this to be true as well along with the noise is reduced more with a fiberglass trailer. I have found the aluminum trailers are always lighter.

For whatever it is worth, our fiberglass Fun Finder is far more well insulated than our older aluminum Fun Finder -- the new trailer has thick styrofoam bonded to the fiberglass. I am not sure that this is always true of all fiberglass trailers.

gmw photos wrote:
That's true. But I've heard of plenty of heart breaking ( and expensive ) stories of rotted out floors, frames rusted to the point of needing total rebuild or replace, and mold issues that required hazmat procedures to deal with.
You can also have to deal with riveted aluminum structures that flex to the point of shearing rivets, with the predicable results of water intrusion.

Let's face it, there are multiple ways to build these little homes on wheels.....all the different ways have advantages and disadvantages. And every design must be correctly and meticulously maintained. It's all part of the fun. I have said all along that RV'ing is a participant sport. Some assembly required. And the always present, YMMV.

Great answer!

WoodGlue

Aluminum sided is just as impervious to water as filon/fiberglass. Leakage occurs at penetrations, not through the siding.

If you've ever removed and installed the aluminum siding you will know just how good of a fit is between panels. It is a very tight fit and well designed with a double overlap.

Even most trailers that have filon/fiberglass sides are framed with wood. I know for a fact that the vacuum bonded panels in my Aliner have wood in them, not aluminum framing.

GWolfe wrote:
I'll take stick and tin, there are many 40,50,60 year old stick and tin campers around. All it takes is good maintenance.

Present, and accounted for!

I'll take stick and tin, there are many 40,50,60 year old stick and tin campers around. All it takes is good maintenance.

Out of warranty means sticks and tin to me. If something happens I can repair it. You can effectively repair Delamination. You can replace it, deal with it, or sell it. Damaged aluminum siding is affordable and easily accessible.

All options require maintenance. All will fail if left unattended. I personally like the wood option. I think if feels warmer in the cold. The wood trailers feel more solid than most lighter weight options. I like knowing wood is in the walls. Just personal preference. Aluminum framing can still deteriorate it just doesn't rust. But it still will rot and or fail! Just in its own way under the right conditions.

beemerphile1 wrote:
I've never read a heart breaking story on here about delamination of an aluminum sided trailer, doesn't happen.

One of the ugliest sights in all of RVing is delamination. Stick and tin for me. I buy a new trailer every couple of years, so either would probably be okay.

beemerphile1 wrote:
I've never read a heart breaking story on here about delamination of an aluminum sided trailer, doesn't happen.

That's true. But I've heard of plenty of heart breaking ( and expensive ) stories of rotted out floors, frames rusted to the point of needing total rebuild or replace, and mold issues that required hazmat procedures to deal with.
You can also have to deal with riveted aluminum structures that flex to the point of shearing rivets, with the predicable results of water intrusion.

Let's face it, there are multiple ways to build these little homes on wheels.....all the different ways have advantages and disadvantages. And every design must be correctly and meticulously maintained. It's all part of the fun. I have said all along that RV'ing is a participant sport. Some assembly required. And the always present, YMMV.