Help!!!!!!!!

Water intrusion is a RV's death sentence, but most water intrusion is preventable. You will find almost all trailers will have a rubber roof. Careful inspection of all areas where the roof meets another material is critical. Roof vents, sides, and the area where the roof and front and rear sides meet should be carefully inspected at least annually. A pin whole in the caulk can cause significant water damage. Windows, doors, and clearance and tail lights are another source of water intrusion. You are right that a fiberglass bonded sidewall is difficult if not impossible to repair if damaged by water intrusion,

Welcome from Wisconsin. Even though you're looking for something small for the 2 of you the first consideration is what are you going to tow it with. Last year we downsized from a 37' 5th wheel to a 20' TT. It's tight but works quite well for the 2 of us and the dog. Easy to tow, easy to find a campsite to fit into, etc. Ours has a fiberglass roof and it's really easy to clean. Just wash it like I do the rest of the camper which is fiberglass. There's alot of units for you to consider based on TV, budget, wants and needs, etc.
Good luck with your search and take your time.

The selection of a TT’s length, tanks, height etc. should be based on your tow vehicle if you already have one AND on where you want to camp most of the time. RV parks? Dry camping? Boondocking?

Define small and what you plan to tow with?

Either siding style doesn't like leaks. Fiberglass is no security.

Fiberglass or aluminium roofs are nicer but not maintenance free...but on smaller trailers, the vast majority are rubber roofs...and if maintenance is kept up on they will last a long time.

snap833 wrote:

we are looking for something small and with low maintenance.

Welcome to the Forum. You are wise to be doing LOTS of research before you buy. ...But, a "low maintenance" trailer is going to be very hard to find. It's best if you are handy with tools and have a basic knowledge of plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, etc. If not your are going to have to hire someone to maintain your rig.
Good luck with your choice.

snap833 wrote:
we are looking for something small and with low maintenance.

downtheroad wrote:
But, a "low maintenance" trailer is going to be very hard to find. It's best if you are handy with tools and have a basic knowledge of plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, etc. If not your are going to have to hire someone to maintain your rig.

No kidding, this isn't the automotive industry - the more you understand about your trailer the better off you'll be. :W

Several here on the forum have found the Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS to be just about the right size for an adult couple. Unfortunately though you haven't defined just what you mean by "small" nor provided any information about your intended tow vehicle.

You need to stop thinking 'low maintenance'. Think 'yearly maintenance'.

You need to do a yearly roof inspection and put that flowing caulk on Anything that looks minimally questionable + inspect anywhere else water can penetrate the exterior shell (regardless of what its made of).
It really isn't all that much work, tho some folks physically cant get on the roof. In that case, get a trusted friend or even pay the RV dealer to do the annual.
If you do that, the chances of water problems are minimal at least.

We started with a 18.9 TT (just the 2 of us + large Akita) and it was plenty. For longer trips, we decided that we needed a separate bedroom so if one of us needed a snooze and the other wanted to do something else on a rainy day, we would have the comfort of an 'isolation' room. So we went larger. Lots of good advice above. Main thing to rem is Floorplan is Everything and everyone's needs in a floorplan is different. Get the one that works best for You.

snap833 wrote:
Am I correct in assuming that an aluminum frame with a fiberglass side should last longer and have less potential for water damage?

Don't let an Airstream owner hear you saying that lol.

IMO, probably the lowest maintenance for small travel trailers (and many of these definitely are small!) are the all-fiberglass molded campers like Casitas, Scamp, Egg Campers (now defunct), etc. If you look for used ones, you'll find they hold their value quite well, which is nice if you're selling but not so nice if you're buying.

Don't be misled, though; any RV needs at least some maintenance on an ongoing basis.

snap833 wrote:
My wife and I are very excited to buy our first travel trailer. It is just us two and we are looking for something small and with low maintenance. I have a few questions with regard to the research I have conducted. Maybe someone can confirm my findings.

Am I correct in assuming that an aluminum frame with a fiberglass side should last longer and have less potential for water damage?

Also is a fiberglass roof going to give me less of a chance of a potential leak?

Does a fiberglass roof have less maintenance than a rubber roof?

Any good recommendations if fiberglass is the way to go?

Thanks for any input. We are wanting to make an informed decision so any help is appreciated.

Only a handful of travel trailers have a fiberglass roof. Nearly all have rubber roofs.
Agree that there is no such thing as a low maintenance travel trailer.