Aluminum vs Fiberglass

[Roadhound_64]

Hello.....I am looking to buy a travel trailer. I have previously own 2 Fiberglass units. I saw a program on TV talking about RV's and the person was saying aluminum trailers were better in a lighting strike than fiberglass.
I would like to know what is the pro & con of the two.Thanks for your wisdom & knowledge.

[Lynnmor]

My KZ smooth side trailer has a trivial amount of aluminum framework. Apparently the cold aluminum promotes condensation as the fiber glass coating on the exterior acts like a vapor barrier in reverse. That moisture has rusted the screws and rotted the thin exterior paneling. I am currently trying to devise a way fix this junk. Just so you know, this trailer is always indoors except when being used. If you think that a wood frame trailer rots and smooth side does not, think again.

[NWnative]

We went with Aluminum as our choice. The issue of lighting never crossed out minds on it.

[ppine]

The old stick and tin trailers can be really heavy.
Aluminum framing is stronger and lighter and not subject to rot. Aluminum framed trailers usually have fiberglass siding.
My next trailer will definitely have aluminum framing and probably fiberglass siding. It saves a lot of weight.

[Fordlover]

Roadhound 64 wrote:
Hello.....I am looking to buy a travel trailer. I have previously own 2 Fiberglass units. I saw a program on TV talking about RV's and the person was saying aluminum trailers were better in a lighting strike than fiberglass.
I would like to know what is the pro & con of the two.Thanks for your wisdom & knowledge.

This is as important a consideration to me as which unit would be best on the moon.

If you can swing the airstream, why not. Everywhere else, the fiberglass is considered an upgrade over the aluminum walled TT that I've seen.

Personally I think the fiberglass is easier to clean, wax, and keep caulked due to the smooth surface and joints.

[Hannibal]

I'm more afraid of delamination than I am lightning. We went back to stick and tin with our latest TT.

[drsteve]

Lightning is the last thing I'd worry about.

[valhalla360]

donn0128 wrote:
Buy what you like. Personally I like smooth sides for ease of cleaning.

Cleaning isn't really an issue but most 10yr old fiberglass units get really chaulky unless you really keep up on the compounding/waxing. Aluminum paint tends to stay nice and shiny with minimal effort.

Most it's about preference though.

If lightning strikes a direct hit, neither will fare well.

[MitchF150]

Personal choice of course.. I like the smooth side fiberglass myself..

When I was a kid, I hated washing the family trailer.. It was the corrugated aluminum siding and hated waxing it even more! Thanks Dad! 🙂

But loved the times we always had in it for sure...

That's why I always wanted my own RV when I could get one..

Since I still have to wash and wax it (no kids) I chose the smooth side. 🙂

Mitch

[camperdave]

In my experience, the pros of metal are ease of repair and easier to keep looking shiny.

The downsides are it just looks older (or classic if you prefer) and it's harder to seal windows and stuff because of the corrugation.

Theoretically I can see the advantage of metal in a lightning strike, but at the same time it seems like metal would be more likely to get hit in the first place. but either way, that's such a remote possibility I wouldn't consider it a factor.

[jfkmk]

I think the odds of your trailer being struck by lightning while you’re in it are pretty slim.

I’ve had both, a previous aluminum sided trailer and now a fiberglass. I’ve heard the argument before that the fiberglass is easier to clean, but truthfully don’t see a difference in that respect.

One disadvantage of the fiberglass is the potential for delamination.

I would say pick a floor plan that suits your needs and don’t worry about the siding.

[donn0128]

Buy what you like. Personally I like smooth sides for ease of cleaning.