Aluminum vs Fiberglass

[dsmith3]

First-time RVers trying to decide between aluminum or fiberglass gel-coat exteriors. Concerned about the wear-and-tear on the paint/finish from sun and weather.

QUESTIONS:

1. To keep the finish and paint looking its best what maintenance should be performed on aluminum vs. fiberglass exteriors?

2. What frequency and what products to use?

3. Is it possible to prevent fiberglass gel-coated RVs from getting dull and faded or is it just inevitable with age?

[jerem0621]

gemsworld wrote:
I have a question for the experts on this subject: If aluminum skin and wood framing is so superior compared to fiberglass exteriors with aluminum framing, why is it that none of the motorhome and fifth-wheel makers offer such superior combination?

I think only Lazy Daze uses aluminum skins on their class C mohos nowadays. And I have noticed TT manufacturers in general seem to offer more TTs with fiberglass skins than with corrugated aluminum skin.

Hard to charge $120,000 for sticks and tin. Simply hard to do.

I am not so sure that sticks and tin is "superior" as much as it's preferred by folks. Delamination is an issue...but there are some pretty nice new technologies that are making the slick sided trailers pretty reliable. Adzel comes to mind. I like the Apex line of lightweight TT's and I would prefer they they were sticks and tin...however, it's hard to find a low hight, 33 ft long, slide bunk house TT that's under 5,300 lbs dry....Apex answers that with their Line of trailers.

My dad has a 2001 Fiver with fiberglass sides. There is some delamination or waviness in a few spots, daddy says, ehh, it's 14 years old, stuff let's go some after 14 years.

[Community Alumni]

I have a question for the experts on this subject: If aluminum skin and wood framing is so superior compared to fiberglass exteriors with aluminum framing, why is it that none of the motorhome and fifth-wheel makers offer such superior combination?

I think only Lazy Daze uses aluminum skins on their class C mohos nowadays. And I have noticed TT manufacturers in general seem to offer more TTs with fiberglass skins than with corrugated aluminum skin.

[Mike_Up]

goducks10 wrote:


Jay Flight uses 2x2 wood framing when you choose the fiberglass sided option.

Hum, so it won't have all the negatives of a laminate wall as aluminum welds breaking easily and conducting the cold to the inside wall and creating condensation on that inside wall. Some makers fill their aluminum channels to add structural integrity for mounting cabinets and to stop the cold from conducting to the inside wall.

Wood would make both of those none issues. But I guess it would add weight.

[goducks10]

Walking thru CG's out camping I see more fiberglass sided trailers WITHOUT delam than those that do. It's like anything else on the internet. More people with questions or problems post their inquiries on it than those with no issues. The majority of users here have fiberglass sided trailer I assume. But only a handful of post are about delam. Seems that way to me anyway.

FWIW most of the delam I've seen is on older Keystone Outbacks. I'm guessing they had some growing pains back then.

[bid_time]

Bumpyroad wrote:

bid_time wrote:
Interesting discussion. Everyone has an opinion, solidly based upon what type of trailer they own (which opinion is solidly worth what you paid for it).

but they buy what they think/feel is better, usually based on past performance. so of course 99% of the time they would prefer it.
bumpy

JUst because they "Feel" it's better doesn't make it so. Case in point, by your think/feel scenario one side of this debate or the other must be buyng pieces of junk. But nothing has changed in 10 years or more - so who is really right and who is wrong. If one was clearly superior or inferior we would know by now. I think after 10 yeaars its fair to say both are fine, take you pick. There is good and bad to both, and arguing about it is stupid.

[goducks10]

spoon059 wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
All fiberglass sided trailers have studs as well. Aluminum not wood.

I'm fairly certain that isn't true. I believe its Jayco (might be wrong) that makes the side walls out of foamboard sandwiched between luan panels. The fiberglass exterior wall is glued (vacuum bonded...) to the outside. No studs throughout the majority of the wall.

Wrong. Go to Jaycos site and download the brochures. It clearly state that the Eagle trailers use aluminum framing and the Jay Flight uses 2x2 wood framing when you choose the fiberglass sided option.

Only TT I know of that doesn't use an aluminum structure is Lance. But they still install aluminum framing members in all locations that require backing.

[Bumpyroad]

bid_time wrote:
Interesting discussion. Everyone has an opinion, solidly based upon what type of trailer they own (which opinion is solidly worth what you paid for it).

but they buy what they think/feel is better, usually based on past performance. so of course 99% of the time they would prefer it.
bumpy

[spoon059]

goducks10 wrote:
All fiberglass sided trailers have studs as well. Aluminum not wood.

I'm fairly certain that isn't true. I believe its Jayco (might be wrong) that makes the side walls out of foamboard sandwiched between luan panels. The fiberglass exterior wall is glued (vacuum bonded...) to the outside. No studs throughout the majority of the wall.

[bid_time]

Interesting discussion. Everyone has an opinion, solidly based upon what type of trailer they own (which opinion is solidly worth what you paid for it). The fact of the matter is, they both have pluses and minuses. And of course, whatever type you own has far less minuses I'm sure (until something goes wrong). Water damage will effect both.

[Mike_Up]

goducks10 wrote:

spoon059 wrote:
OP, check out the 29QBS model as well. We were looking really hard at the 28BHBE until we saw the floorplan of the 29QBS. 3 bunks in their own room with their own AC duct and heat register.

Fiberglass is an option as well.

I prefer the aluminum because its easier to repair. My buddy has a 2014 (forget who makes it) that had delamination on the entire front panel. Thankfully he noticed it with a month left in his 1 year warranty and got it fixed. It would have been really expensive to fix out of warranty.

Aluminum walls give you actual stud framing, whereas the fiberglass is a Styrofoam sandwich. I just feel better knowing that my roof is supported by wood framing.

All fiberglass sided trailers have studs as well. Aluminum not wood.

It depends on the manufacturer.

Some laminate walls only have framing with no cross members other than for windows and doors while others have aluminum cross members at certain spots. I wouldn't call them studs as studs refer to wood cross members that are spaced evenly with little distance between them.

Aluminum cross members can be anywhere without rhyme or reason. They are placed where the maker feels will give adequate strength to the wall. The aluminum framing also comes in different sizes so they are all not created equal.

Stick and Tin is pretty much an industrial standard where most makers share the same framing practices.

[goducks10]

spoon059 wrote:
OP, check out the 29QBS model as well. We were looking really hard at the 28BHBE until we saw the floorplan of the 29QBS. 3 bunks in their own room with their own AC duct and heat register.

Fiberglass is an option as well.

I prefer the aluminum because its easier to repair. My buddy has a 2014 (forget who makes it) that had delamination on the entire front panel. Thankfully he noticed it with a month left in his 1 year warranty and got it fixed. It would have been really expensive to fix out of warranty.

Aluminum walls give you actual stud framing, whereas the fiberglass is a Styrofoam sandwich. I just feel better knowing that my roof is supported by wood framing.

All fiberglass sided trailers have studs as well. Aluminum not wood.

[brookside]

Mike Up wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
Delamination is a thing of the past with most manufacturers.

I see it just as much with the new trailers (even on lot) as with the older, with most manufacturers. 😉

You bet! We have been looking and have went to most of the RV manufacturers owner's group and delamination is alive and well across the spectrum of RVs. I actually know of a 5 star that would never have had delamination in the past but 15 years later, I saw one terribly delamed. I think they started using that to make sure the RVs had a limited life span. I think that is why retro is so in fashion - something that lasts.

[jaycocreek]

Sitting here on a Sunday watching rvs drive through looking for a spot and a very nice 2012 or newer Dodge 2500 with a matching camper shell and a 30-34 ft Outback,which was 2012 or newer,drove through and the wife asked why it was dented in the front top....

Delamination... What a shame.

[colliehauler]

Stick & tin has been used for decades and is proven and lighter. Some draw backs I have found is harder to heat and cool and more noise. In sun Fiberglass tends to get dull without a lot of work and heavy. Fiberglass is easier to heat and cool and more quite.