Aluminum versus Fiberglass

[parkersdad]

My wife and I are starting to look at possibly. We have always had the fiberglass campers but I got to thinking is the aluminum a little easier to work on and what are the benefits? We have only looked at Fiberglas campers as we preferred that look. As I was thinking about it is it possible if you had a leak in the wall or something in the wall will be aluminum back to work on it? I know I can Google it but I would like to hear from members on here. Give me the positives and negatives of both please.

[TundraTire]

I've been doing some pre-purchase research, and this thread is very informative.

Is the Jayco Jay Flight 234MBH an example of aluminum, and the Jayco Whitehawk 23MBH the fibreglass version of the exact same floor plan?

If that's the only difference, the $4K price difference seems like a lot.

[JBarca]

Jayco254 wrote:
Jayco removed the TPO and replaced it with EPDM when they replaced my roof. I believe that is what all the Jayco campers made after sometime in 2007 or 2008 are getting from the factory.

I looked at the 2014's catalog. They still use TPO on the Jayflight's

They call it "One-piece, sidewall-wrapped DiFlex II material"

And Dicor shows it here: Dicor DiFlex

It appears there is no fleece backing on it though. They may have learned the wicking was not a good thing.

[Ron3rd]

parkersdad wrote:
We ordered a Jayco Jayflight 29QBS 2015 model. We did get it in Fiberglass. Thanks for the help.

Good choice, I've owned both and like the fiberglass better. Easier to clean IMO and a more modern look.

[Jayco254]

Jayco removed the TPO and replaced it with EPDM when they replaced my roof. I believe that is what all the Jayco campers made after sometime in 2007 or 2008 are getting from the factory. If you get a small leak EDPM don't wick water like the TPO did.

[djsamuel]

Farmerkev wrote:
I'm assuming he means one with a fiberglass roof.
I'm not sure if there are any still made with aluminum roofs.

Camplites (LivinLite) are aluminum skinned, aluminum frame with aluminum roof. No wood.

[JBarca]

Farmerkev wrote:
I'm assuming he means one with a fiberglass roof.
I'm not sure if there are any still made with aluminum roofs.

H'mm, good thought so I did some digging.

I "think" Wrenchbender has a Big Foot camper. 2 piece molded shell, and a very good quality camper from what I have heard. So yes the comment he made is correct. Just he left that very important detail out of his comment what he may possibly have.

http://bigfootrv.com/index.html

parkersdad bought a Jayco, which uses TPO which is where the roof maintenance is a must or else. And that goes for any camper roof that is not a molded TT camper, Big Foot, Scamp, Casitia etc.

[Farmerkev]

I'm assuming he means one with a fiberglass roof.
I'm not sure if there are any still made with aluminum roofs.

[Jayco254]

I could be wrong but don't both f/g and alum. use the same type of rubber roofs?

[JBarca]

Hi Wrench,

Just asking, not trying to be a wise guy, just trying to get clarification so your note does not get taken out of context.

Can you expand on your "zero" roof maintenance statement just because you went with fiberglass walls? That message taken incorrectly, can have very large negative consequences from lack of proper roof maintenance.

wrenchbender wrote:
After 2 Aluminum I will never go back to it, Fiberglass for me is the way to go.No black streaks zero roof maintenance.

[wrenchbender]

After 2 Aluminum I will never go back to it, Fiberglass for me is the way to go.No black streaks zero roof maintenance.

[GrandpaKip]

parkersdad wrote:
We ordered a Jayco Jayflight 29QBS 2015 model. We did get it in Fiberglass. Thanks for the help.

Congratulations. Good camping.

[CKNSLS]

parkersdad wrote:
We ordered a Jayco Jayflight 29QBS 2015 model. We did get it in Fiberglass. Thanks for the help.

The foam insulation in the walls will hold up much better than the way insulation is put in to aluminum trailers.


Congrats!

[parkersdad]

We ordered a Jayco Jayflight 29QBS 2015 model. We did get it in Fiberglass. Thanks for the help.

[sask934]

A very good read and confirms my thoughts on this issue....water entry is the enemy and not the siding material.

I went with the best floor plan and I fully intend to protect my investment with maintenance and inspection of all areas that water can enter.

Good Luck with your choice.