Aluminum vs Fiberglass

[out_for_a_rip]

Hi everyone - we are in the market for our first TT and are unsure of the real differences between aluminum and fiberglass siding (besides price). Can someone help us out?

Thanks!

[Atlee]

I believe you're wrong here. If an RV has aluminum siding, it's almost 100% sure to have a wood frame. Not counting Airstreams of course.

None of Jayco's aluminum sided trailers have aluminum frames. They all have wood framing.

valhalla360 wrote:
A little correction: Most new RV's regardless of siding use Aluminum studs not wood, so having aluminum siding does not mean you will have wood studs that will rot.

Of course, water inside the walls is a bad thing no matter what construction method is used.

[theoldwizard1]

goducks10 wrote:
Aluminum dents real easy, fiberglass sided don't.
Both can leak. One will rot (wood w/aluminum siding) the other will delaminate (fiberglass over aluminum frame).

Fiberglass sided can have higher R value for insulation.

Good summary !

I will add, a lot of the difference is personal preference.

[SidecarFlip]

wing_zealot wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:

troubledwaters wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
It's not fiberglass per 'se, it's Filon which is a vacuum bonded fiberglass hybrid. It's very difficult to repair if damaged, really the only repair is panel replacement....

You don't know what your talking about.

Still waiting for your rebuttal...:S

Instead of waiting for your rebuttal, why don't you try Google. Maybe you'd come away with newfound knowledge. I've had my filon sided trailer repaired and I'd bet you couldn't find where.

I never said it could not be repaired. Anything can be restored/repaired for a price and/or time. Pre-paint aluminum is easier than Filon, laminated fiberglass skin. All I'm stating.

Candidly, I don'r care where you had it repaired.

Bondo is great, I prefer lead myself.

[wing_zealot]

SidecarFlip wrote:

troubledwaters wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
It's not fiberglass per 'se, it's Filon which is a vacuum bonded fiberglass hybrid. It's very difficult to repair if damaged, really the only repair is panel replacement....

You don't know what your talking about.

Still waiting for your rebuttal...:S

Instead of waiting for your rebuttal, why don't you try Google. Maybe you'd come away with newfound knowledge. I've had my filon sided trailer repaired and I'd bet you couldn't find where.

[SidecarFlip]

troubledwaters wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
It's not fiberglass per 'se, it's Filon which is a vacuum bonded fiberglass hybrid. It's very difficult to repair if damaged, really the only repair is panel replacement....

You don't know what your talking about.

Still waiting for your rebuttal...:S

[TurnThePage]

Rot is a non-issue with proper maintenance. Aside from the occasional legit exception, almost all leaks could have been prevented, either in the factory, or in the driveway.

[ScottG]

I had several corrugated aluminum RV's and would never go back. They damage (dent and rot) easily and leak way sooner than fiberglass. Fiberglass (filon) is EASILY repaired by a competent shop.
If you could find a smooth aluminum trailer like HR once made, that would be good with me but I would prefer FG.

[lakeside013104]

troubledwaters wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
It's not fiberglass per 'se, it's Filon which is a vacuum bonded fiberglass hybrid. It's very difficult to repair if damaged, really the only repair is panel replacement....

You don't know what your talking about.

Ouch..........Patience Mr Trouble. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Lakeside

[valhalla360]

A little correction: Most new RV's regardless of siding use Aluminum studs not wood, so having aluminum siding does not mean you will have wood studs that will rot.

Of course, water inside the walls is a bad thing no matter what construction method is used.

[SidecarFlip]

Bumpyroad wrote:

Acdii wrote:

rbpru wrote:

In my humble opinion, the floor plan and interior components far outweigh the exterior covering.

Good luck

This is the most honest answer here. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but what it really comes down to, what do you like? You can have a fancy slab side with a useless floor plan, or you could have an ugly rib side with a really nice floor plan, or visaversa.

Way I see it, I don't care what it looks like outside as long as it is comfortable and functional inside.

the construction of the RV is my first "cut". no rubber roof, TPO remotely possible. I want fiberglass sides and roof. then I look for one the size/price/and layout I prefer. I will NOT sacrifice construction for floor plan.
bumpy

I actually prefer a single sheet aluminum roof over anything (but very hard to find today), my last unit had an aluminum roof and it was as good as the day I bought it, 10 years later. My current unit has a textured fiberglass roof. I'd never buy anything with a rubber roof. Way too fragile.

[Bumpyroad]

Acdii wrote:

rbpru wrote:

In my humble opinion, the floor plan and interior components far outweigh the exterior covering.

Good luck

This is the most honest answer here. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but what it really comes down to, what do you like? You can have a fancy slab side with a useless floor plan, or you could have an ugly rib side with a really nice floor plan, or visaversa.

Way I see it, I don't care what it looks like outside as long as it is comfortable and functional inside.

the construction of the RV is my first "cut". no rubber roof, TPO remotely possible. I want fiberglass sides and roof. then I look for one the size/price/and layout I prefer. I will NOT sacrifice construction for floor plan.
bumpy

[SidecarFlip]

troubledwaters wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
It's not fiberglass per 'se, it's Filon which is a vacuum bonded fiberglass hybrid. It's very difficult to repair if damaged, really the only repair is panel replacement....

You don't know what your talking about.

Care to substantiate your claim?

[jorge1958]

I prefer aluminum to. It has a lot more durability then fiberglass.

[troubledwaters]

SidecarFlip wrote:
It's not fiberglass per 'se, it's Filon which is a vacuum bonded fiberglass hybrid. It's very difficult to repair if damaged, really the only repair is panel replacement....

You don't know what your talking about.

[SidecarFlip]

It's not fiberglass per 'se, it's Filon which is a vacuum bonded fiberglass hybrid. It's very difficult to repair if damaged, really the only repair is panel replacement. Filon can delaminate as well.

Aluminum on the other hand don't delaminate and can be repaired more easily plus it's lighter. Builder went to Filon for ease of assembly and cheaper cost. Myself, I'd take aluminum over Filon is I had a choice.