More new alum skinned campers than fiberglass

[ata3001]

Went to an RV show last week & noticed the majority of these new campers are aluminum skinned rather than fiberglass/filon skinned. Has anyone else noticed this trend in new TT's?

[beemerphile1]

Aluminum sided is just as impervious to water as filon/fiberglass. Leakage occurs at penetrations, not through the siding.

If you've ever removed and installed the aluminum siding you will know just how good of a fit is between panels. It is a very tight fit and well designed with a double overlap.

Even most trailers that have filon/fiberglass sides are framed with wood. I know for a fact that the vacuum bonded panels in my Aliner have wood in them, not aluminum framing.

[westend]

GWolfe wrote:
I'll take stick and tin, there are many 40,50,60 year old stick and tin campers around. All it takes is good maintenance.

Present, and accounted for!

[GWolfe]

I'll take stick and tin, there are many 40,50,60 year old stick and tin campers around. All it takes is good maintenance.

[jerem0621]

Out of warranty means sticks and tin to me. If something happens I can repair it. You can effectively repair Delamination. You can replace it, deal with it, or sell it. Damaged aluminum siding is affordable and easily accessible.

All options require maintenance. All will fail if left unattended. I personally like the wood option. I think if feels warmer in the cold. The wood trailers feel more solid than most lighter weight options. I like knowing wood is in the walls. Just personal preference. Aluminum framing can still deteriorate it just doesn't rust. But it still will rot and or fail! Just in its own way under the right conditions.

[TomG2]

beemerphile1 wrote:
I've never read a heart breaking story on here about delamination of an aluminum sided trailer, doesn't happen.

One of the ugliest sights in all of RVing is delamination. Stick and tin for me. I buy a new trailer every couple of years, so either would probably be okay.

[gmw_photos]

beemerphile1 wrote:
I've never read a heart breaking story on here about delamination of an aluminum sided trailer, doesn't happen.

That's true. But I've heard of plenty of heart breaking ( and expensive ) stories of rotted out floors, frames rusted to the point of needing total rebuild or replace, and mold issues that required hazmat procedures to deal with.
You can also have to deal with riveted aluminum structures that flex to the point of shearing rivets, with the predicable results of water intrusion.

Let's face it, there are multiple ways to build these little homes on wheels.....all the different ways have advantages and disadvantages. And every design must be correctly and meticulously maintained. It's all part of the fun. I have said all along that RV'ing is a participant sport. Some assembly required. And the always present, YMMV.

[WoodGlue]

beemerphile1 wrote:
I've never read a heart breaking story on here about delamination of an aluminum sided trailer, doesn't happen.

Neither have I, but I have read the horror stories about wood rotting away entire walls, panels and floors.

By nature, the Aluminum siding is not as impervious to water saturation as an aluminum caged, polystyrene and fiberglass type construction.

WoodGlue

[beemerphile1]

I've never read a heart breaking story on here about delamination of an aluminum sided trailer, doesn't happen.

[ckwizard777]

smkettner wrote:
Who makes aluminum frame and aluminum siding?
Too many posts about fiberglass troubles for me and I am indifferent to the "smooth look".

No one other than Airstream and some high end Class-A's anymore, Holiday Rambler use to offer the Alumascape with Flat aluminum panels and framing.
It was a solid design that lasts forever and no worries of delam.
I wish someone would offer it in a TT or FW because I would take that over fiberglass anyday.

[mlts22]

I was thinking more along the lines of Livin' Lite trailers compared to the riveted construction of an Airstream. I'm sure there are heat conduction issues with that design, but if done right, there are not many joints (relatively) that have to be maintained.

Of course, Livin' Lite has no wood anywhere, so if there is water intrusion, one just vacuums it out and calls it done without worry about mold.

[gmw_photos]

The problems with flat aluminum panels is they have plenty of overlapping joints that have to be maintained to avoid leaks. Go hang out on the Airstream forum for a while.....those guys fight leaks in everything from brand new trailers to older ones. Do a search for floor rot, and sit back for months of reading about water intrusion that has destroyed floors, frames, etc. Not trying to run down Airstreams, just pointing out that all trailers need to be looked after carefully and constantly, or water will find it's way in.

[mlts22]

Stick and tin won't delam, but wood rot can become a major issue if there is water intrusion. I'm not a stickler on looks, but my ideal would be an aluminum frame, then flat aluminum body panels on the sides and roof. That way, it gives the same effect as the Filon sides, but without any bubbling.

[CavemanCharlie]

Ha, I want whatever is used and I can afford. 😛

[jwbond52]

Sticks and tin for me. I've had both. Its what I want. It's not the weight or the price or the looks, It's what I want. Easier to repair in case of damage is one reason. Another is sticks and tin won't delaminate. There are other reasons too. Its what I want.

[jerem0621]

I much prefer sticks and tin....