White vs. trailers with color

[Gsport]

I'm on my 3rd 5th wheel. My first two were white with decal graphics. Seems like 90% or more of the 5th wheels on the road are white, it is so nice to finally see the different company's putting color in there 5th wheel/trailers. My current 5th is a Grand Design Solitude, the color of it was one of things that drew me to it. What's everyone's thought on this, boring white or a little color?

[bobx2]

I prefer white for all of the above mentioned reasons, plus it matches my truck. 😉 Glad I purchased last year since they went dark for 2015.

[RAS43]

SH wrote:
We did notice that the rig was seemingly harder to keep cool. Seems like the darker colored caps and walls were hotter than our friends white rigs camping along side us. JMHO

Good observation and I believe accurate. When I wear a dark colored shirt in the sun I am warmer then when wearing white or light color. Same is true for anything outside, dark colors absorb more of the sun's rays then light colors. I am amazed when I see black components on the roofs of RV's, especially the AC cover. Can't be good when trying to cool a unit.
Don't get me wrong. I like the looks of these newer RV's with the color schemes and colors in the front and back. But having to deal with the problems I have read about here and elsewhere isn't for me. I'll take white w/ decals or have the decals removed and paint replacing them.

[Veebyes]

In a way RVs are like boats. They can be any colour as long as they are white.

Gelcoats on RVs are not very thick to begin with. Gelcoat is heavy & it is expensive. Paint is good but it is also very expensive & needs marine quality paint & multiple clearcoats if one expects to get some life out of it.

Actually colours can be OK however they must be very light. An off white of some colour. Boats that are eggshell, a very light lemon yellow, a very pale powder blue or similar stand up fairly well.

Refridgerator white is simply too white. My Alpenlite is refridgerator white. Hate the look. Looks like a big chest freezer on wheels. The white does stay cool in the heat however.

Dark colours attract & hold the heat. Useful if you open camp when it is cold. Makes you A/C work in the heat of summer.

The graphics are another matter. Most RV builders use cheap material. High quality marine grade material will last much longer.

The problem with RV buyers is that we all want quality materials but we want a cheap price even more. The builders cut corners wherever they can to meet that price.

[goducks10]

Our current trailer is a light tan color with a dark brown cap. The new dark brown caps are starting to fade. Not brand specific either. The sides don't show anything yet. Our next unit will have either a painted front cap or be as close to white as possible. But my guess is that it will be really hard to find what we want in a floor plan, in white, or with a light colored painted front cap.

[RustyJC]

In order of propensity to deteriorate, the following was our experience in 10 years of ownership of our 2004 Mobile Suites 36RE3:

1. Front cap decal
2. White gel coat (front cap)
3. Painted areas

The painted areas were the least of our upkeep concerns by far. They looked as good as new when we traded for our current Mobile Suites in May 2014.

Rusty

[spadoctor]

In the past the industry did the same thing changing colors....first it was cream color....then white then grey then two tone then back to white. They did the same with the windows....first brown then black then white then back to black. They try to make their units different to draw sales and everyone follows. White is neutral and much cooler then a dark color and much less chance of fade. I will bet the percentage of rv owners that ever wax their unit is less then 5%....let alone more then once a year.

[jnharley]

We like the RV to be white and we have minimal decals. If/when our decals need replacing, we will probably have the RV painted white with even fewer painted decals.

[tegu69]

Depends on the person. Do you want to camp or do maintenance. All my other trailers I had were white. The one I have now is brown gel coat. I have already spent more time with this one in 1 1/2 years than all the others combined.

[JIMNLIN]

Having owned three truck campers/one TT and three 5th wheel trailers all in white with a few colored decals that were never a issue, the wife after seeing the dark browns and black colors on the new trailers says our next RV will also be white.

[colliehauler]

ggrant119 wrote:
Am I going to be in a world of trouble with this color and fading?

Where you live the sun is not as intense so you should have less problems with fading. If you live in the sun belt it can do a lot of damage if exposed.

[Gsport]

Here's my Solitude, two years old this month. Luckily I'm able to park it inside when not being used. I hope to get a lot of good years out of it..

[FLY_4_FUN]

I really wanted my new rig in white....but by the time I bought it only came off the line in cream. Its the only thing that I don't like....but I love the floorplan so theres nothing I can do. White just "pops" for me.

Daryll

[N-Trouble]

ggrant119 wrote:
Am I going to be in a world of trouble with this color and fading?

No, as long as you maintain it a couple times a year you should be fine. It's the guys that throw them in a field and never give it a little love.

[Beaker]

We're shopping for a late model 5th wheel, and we will likely buy a model from a couple years ago with "boring white" plus decals. I won't ever be buying any RV in a dark color.

The simple reason: white reflects heat, dark colors suck it in. This is the practical reason that traditionally, up until a couple years ago, most all RV's were white (with decals). RV's aren't insulated like houses, so it's a practical concept that matters to me, perhaps more than to some because I live in Southern Arizona and our RV is stored next to the house in the sun.

One hot day last summer I put my hand on the dark decal and it was so hot I couldn't hold it there. I could hold it on the white fiberglass.
Just noticed last week that the decal is now cracking.
I've got a thermal laser and someday will temp them both.

[Bill___Kate]

ggrant119 wrote:
Am I going to be in a world of trouble with this color and fading?

Keep a good coat of really good wax or polish with UV protection on the top half of that front cap!