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?

[dezl_dr]

Cummins12V98 - that's the color of our Elite! We've had so many nice comments on the color scheme. It's very easy to find in a campground when you forget what site your in, LOL
~ Mark

[WestMich]

Bill & Kate wrote:

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!

We just purchased our keystone 26rbi, same colors and the keystone brochures state PAINTED front cap....hoping that's correct.

[Veebyes]

People will always buy short term pretty over what is practical. The builders know this. When it is sitting in the showroom all sparkley under the lights very few are thinking of what it will look like in 5 years time after minimum care.

People moan about the cost of a full paint unit but those who spend the extra & get the full paint & clearcoat are getting the last laugh. Their units stand up far longer with less maintenance effort than any of the thin gelcoat units which look good for a few years then rapidly deteriorate without a very active maintenance programme.

[crcr]

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

Wow, that's a very long travel trailer! What is the length and what is the make and model?

[B_O__Plenty]

N-Trouble wrote:

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.

Not true. Nobody took better care of their gel coated caps that I did. It still went bad...You can wax it every week and it won't matter.

B.O.

[B_O__Plenty]

gtsum wrote:
Interesting thread as I had contemplated full body paint but think I have decided against it (and that model actually). I really like the new Grey on the Keystone Fuzion Toy Haulers, but this thread has me wondering if it will look like **** in a few years?

If it's gel coat and not painted the answer is yes. It will only take a few years and it will look like **** .

B.O.

[overhill7]

crcr wrote:
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.

X-2

[texasclarks]

colliehauler wrote:
When I buy a new rig I would like white with the decals in a box. Either have the graphics painted on with the decals for a pattern or leave it white.

Interesting idea...can you order with no decals? Interesting idea :h

[AZ_T_T]

I love the dark colors but living AZ I will stick with white. I have seen a lot of faded end caps on the dark ones. I suppose like anything if you maintain it, the dark colors will be fine. I'm half way through waxing mine and would never want anything that would require me to do this more often!!

[AZ_T_T]

I love the dark colors but living AZ I will stick with white. I have seen a lot of faded end caps on the dark ones. I suppose like anything if you maintain it, the dark colors will be fine. I'm half way through waxing mine and would never want anything that would require me to do this more often!!

[RollandB]

Shows my age and I'm old school but I like the lighter colors. Our Komfort is 10 years old and the decals still look good. IMHO The jury is still out on the darker colors and how they will weather and fade. If I had one I'd probably go the route of full body paint but that is another thread....;)

[Fire5er]

We just purchased a new 2014 Montana Big Sky with full body paint. Our 2007 Montana had a terrible issue with shrinking and peeling decals and it just look horrible.

[Hvyhauler]

When we upgrade in a few years we will be sticking with a white exterior. The hot Florida sun is the reason. We have 2 ac's that work hard to keep it cool in the summer.

[colliehauler]

When I buy a new rig I would like white with the decals in a box. Either have the graphics painted on with the decals for a pattern or leave it white.

[laknox]

Gsport wrote:
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?

Personally, I live in AZ and most of my camping is in the SW. Even at 7,000', in the summer, it can get HOT during the day. Anything I can do to keep my trailer cool is all good. A couple years ago, a guy went to a dealer and had his hand-held thermometer with him. As I recall, it was in December, temp was in the 60's. Outside temps on identical rigs, one white and one with darker outer skin was about 15 degrees difference. Inside, sunny side wall temps were about 5-6 degrees different, with the darker-skinned FW being higher. Now, tell me that doesn't translate into higher temps inside. I'll stick with a white, or near-white RV. YMMV...

Lyle