We got an additional tow vehicle, more than capable, so now we have one vehicle that tows 5700 and the newer one, 6500. I like the idea of "no boundaries" which was at one time the motto for A-Liner trailers. It has been years since they used that motto but who could ask for anything more? So, was seriously looking for a Scamp 5th wheel but all the ins and outs of getting a truck and this measurement, that measurement, I went with a Dodge Durango, mid-size SUV, a 2007 but well taken care of it looks like.Now, that we are in "crunch" time, we really don't want to camp with the pop-up and have to use the public showers because they are limited and both being 60 years old with an adult son with DS, the dynamics of accomplishing all of this makes it too challenging. I am looking at the EggCamper and the 16' Scamp Deluxe as possibly the best choices. Maybe Scamp, used and EggCamper, new. But, letting go of the money is challenging too. Our pop-up is a Coachmen and, all things considered, it really isn't that bad. It is our 8th RV and 2 years old. I can buy two of the smaller Coachmen TT for the price of the molded fiberglass. I could buy one and put the rest of my budgeted money away for a 2nd unit when needed. I also like the looks of the Jayco and Palomini that are supposedly "off-road". Yeah, I'm planning to live forever so I'm planning into my next 60 years! Isn't 60 years old, middle age? Attitude is everything!So, has anyone owned both the molded fiberglass and the stick-built? I would appreciate any thoughts as the decision is being made before April. I over analyse everything but avoid buyer's remorse.

Never have had a fiberglas molded unit but have read posts from folks who have them. Two problems seem prevalent- Moisture build up on the walls in cold weather. Mold problems in damp climates.Moisture build up- one RV'er posted he woke up in the morning and it looked as if someone had sprayed a hose inside of his TT (I think it was a Scamp). It was cold and wet outside and he had used an electric heater to stay warm while they sleeped.Mold- the posts indicated they had discovered mold on the walls in areas not normally seen like the back of a cabinet or storage compartment. Cleaned the areas with bleach no more mold.

The framed TT vs a fiberglass wall is totally different dynamics. The two trailer will still flex. The final location of the flex is the question. I owned a Jayco, tin and stick. The lower corners ripped out. I now own a Sunny Brook fiberglass TT and the flex ends up in the roof seams. I have to keep a much closer eye on the rubber sealing on the Sunny Brook. The occurrence of cracks in the rubber is 1000:1 Sunnybrook:JaycoMM49

You might want to checkout this forum;http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/

MM49 wrote:The framed TT vs a fiberglass wall is totally different dynamics. The two trailer will still flex. The final location of the flex is the question. I owned a Jayco, tin and stick. The lower corners ripped out. I now own a Sunny Brook fiberglass TT and the flex ends up in the roof seams. I have to keep a much closer eye on the rubber sealing on the Sunny Brook. The occurrence of cracks in the rubber is 1000:1 Sunnybrook:JaycoMM49The OP is talking about something like this

All RV's can get condensation inside when running a heater and no ventilation. It's just that on the stick built, you are getting that moisture inside the walls where you can't do anything about it. On the molded fiberglass, since there is only the shell with a fabric covering, you may see it immediately and can do something about it.The best way to go is the double walled fiberglass like the Oliver. It won't suffer from such issues due to the double wall.The fiberglass molded trailers have a better history of holding value than stick built trailers. If you are considering trading down the road, it would most likely be a better choice going molded from a $ perspective.

Stick-Built Versus Molded Fiberglass | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

the_bear_II
Explorer
Feb 05, 2015
I posted earlier and forgot to comment regarding Stick TT. We had a 1978 Nomad 23 foot TT we bought new. We used it for 16 years before selling it and buying our now 20 year old 38ft 5th wheel new. The 5th wheel is also stick built.

We used both at least once per month for weekend 300 mile round trips and at least 2 times a year for longer trips of up to 7000 miles.

Both trailers provided us with nearly trouble free travel. The only problems we've had were not unusual and could be considered expected. Both provided trouble free service for the first 10 years. Only preventative maintenance, battery and tire replacement was needed during the 10 years.

Both the Nomad and our 5th wheel were consider mid-level units, in my opinion we have gotten our money's worth out of both.
BroncosFan
Explorer
Feb 05, 2015
Op asked about molded fiberglass

"I owned a Jayco, tin and stick. The lower corners ripped out. I now own a Sunny Brook fiberglass TT"
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Feb 05, 2015
when I was looking at them years back, I preferred the Casita layout/bath much better than the scamp.
bumpy
wincrasher65
Explorer
Feb 05, 2015
All RV's can get condensation inside when running a heater and no ventilation. It's just that on the stick built, you are getting that moisture inside the walls where you can't do anything about it. On the molded fiberglass, since there is only the shell with a fabric covering, you may see it immediately and can do something about it.

The best way to go is the double walled fiberglass like the Oliver. It won't suffer from such issues due to the double wall.

The fiberglass molded trailers have a better history of holding value than stick built trailers. If you are considering trading down the road, it would most likely be a better choice going molded from a $ perspective.
SkiMore
Explorer II
Feb 05, 2015
MM49 wrote:
The framed TT vs a fiberglass wall is totally different dynamics. The two trailer will still flex. The final location of the flex is the question. I owned a Jayco, tin and stick. The lower corners ripped out. I now own a Sunny Brook fiberglass TT and the flex ends up in the roof seams. I have to keep a much closer eye on the rubber sealing on the Sunny Brook. The occurrence of cracks in the rubber is 1000:1 Sunnybrook:Jayco
MM49

The OP is talking about something like this
beemerphile1
Explorer
Feb 05, 2015
You might want to checkout this forum;
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/
MM49
Explorer
Feb 05, 2015
The framed TT vs a fiberglass wall is totally different dynamics. The two trailer will still flex. The final location of the flex is the question. I owned a Jayco, tin and stick. The lower corners ripped out. I now own a Sunny Brook fiberglass TT and the flex ends up in the roof seams. I have to keep a much closer eye on the rubber sealing on the Sunny Brook. The occurrence of cracks in the rubber is 1000:1 Sunnybrook:Jayco
MM49
the_bear_II
Explorer
Feb 05, 2015
Never have had a fiberglas molded unit but have read posts from folks who have them. Two problems seem prevalent- Moisture build up on the walls in cold weather. Mold problems in damp climates.

Moisture build up- one RV'er posted he woke up in the morning and it looked as if someone had sprayed a hose inside of his TT (I think it was a Scamp). It was cold and wet outside and he had used an electric heater to stay warm while they sleeped.

Mold- the posts indicated they had discovered mold on the walls in areas not normally seen like the back of a cabinet or storage compartment. Cleaned the areas with bleach no more mold.

Forum Discussion

Stick-Built Versus Molded Fiberglass

18 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Casita/Scamp/... versus stick built?

Dry tongue weight versus fully loaded

fiberglass or stick built

Aluminum versus Fiberglass

Chevy custom versus LT