Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


View Poll Results: Smooth or Aluminum siding poll. Multiple choice.
I have a smooth sided RV 175 39.33%
I have an aluminum sided RV 146 32.81%
I have had both and prefer smooth 82 18.43%
I have had both and prefer aluminum 54 12.13%
I have a smooth sided RV and have experienced delamination 48 10.79%
I have an aluminum sided RV and dents and dings have been a problem 14 3.15%
I have a smooth sided RV and have experienced fading 25 5.62%
I have an aluminum sided RV and have experienced fading 2 0.45%
I will never buy another smooth sided RV 18 4.04%
I will never buy another another aluminum sided RV 11 2.47%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 445. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-23-2014, 09:06 PM   #21
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Fort Worth
Posts: 355
Smooth aluminum looks dated
__________________
KELLY & LINDY ( SEMI RETIRED)
FORT WORTH,TEXAS
2000 FORD F-150 V-6/4.2
2006 JAYCO JAY FEATHER 23B EXP
EQUILIZER HITCH
Kellys is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2014, 09:28 PM   #22
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Valparaiso
Posts: 188
Smooth side fan

I put a lot of thought into my most recent purchase. We now have a smooth-sided White Hawk. Our local dealer had an aluminum Jay Flight with the same floor plan. We chose the White Hawk mainly for looks and easy maintenance. The aluminum is easier to repair but if harder to keep clean. The fiberglas can delaminate. My decision came right down to personal preference. I worked in an RV factory in the 60's and we used the same aluminum wall technology as today. I wanted something more modern. I figured a lot has happened in the last 50 years.
redenbacher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2014, 05:16 AM   #23
Senior Member
 
Adk Camper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clifton Park,NY
Posts: 337
Quote:
Originally Posted by clubhouse View Post
I have alum. It is easy to to keep clean and the paint stays bright.

Waxing isn't the issue many like to think it is. I might even suggest some folks who say it is difficult to wax alum sided trailer have never tried doin it. I wax at least twice a year with quality liquid wax and its easy on easy off -- paste might take more work but paste always takes more work.

The only fiberglass I would consider would be a gel-coat fiberglass. Otherwise most of the fiberglass sided trailers I see are pretty faded and chaulky looking after 5-6 years. I am sure there are expections but that is my personal experience.
Well stated Clubhouse.
I've had a smooth side and now I'm on my second aluminum sided trailer.Before buying our 33rlds I took everything into consideration and while camping we did a lot of looking at smooth sided trailers looking for delamination.I will say we see more non Jayco brands with delam over Jayco units but in the end I'm still not sold on the smooth side for longevity.
__________________
Chris
Chevrolet 2500 HD Crewcab
2013 Jay Flight 33 RLDS

Adk Camper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2014, 06:23 AM   #24
Senior Member
 
Ustabslim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Spicewood, Texas
Posts: 913
The major problem with both sides is lack of proper maintence. Water is the enemy...you have to keep your camper water tight. You have to wax both if you want to maintain new look.
I purchased mine because the gel coat and curved roof will add to easier maintence and longevity.
__________________
2015 338RETS Eagle Premier gloss sides., king.
2012 Ram 3500, crew cab 4x4 duelly Deleted
16k miles, 530HP, 1000 +torque.
Ustabslim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2014, 07:23 AM   #25
Senior Member
 
Camper_bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,207
Got aluminum on mine. Mostly because that's what was available in the floor plan we fell in love with. Subsequent model years became available with slab sides as an option, but it's not worth the extra cost to me even if it were available at the time of our purchase. Also because I'm deathly afraid of delamination. But as I have learned, the primary cause of delam (water intrusion) is just as much a problem with aluminum sided units as slab-sided units. Either one takes diligent maintenance to prevent water intrusion. Aluminum has the added advantage of being cheaper to fix, just have to replace the panels that were affected.
__________________

-2018 Greyhawk 29MV
-2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) (Primary Toad)
-1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Secondary Toad)
-2014 Jay Flight 28BHBE & Ram 2500 6.4L CC 4x4 (sold)
Camper_bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2014, 09:56 AM   #26
Senior Member
 
Adk Camper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clifton Park,NY
Posts: 337
Quote:
Originally Posted by Texashighsheriff View Post
The major problem with both sides is lack of proper maintence.

Bingo we have a winner!!!!!!!!!!
__________________
Chris
Chevrolet 2500 HD Crewcab
2013 Jay Flight 33 RLDS

Adk Camper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2014, 10:00 AM   #27
Senior Member
 
Jeff61's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: northern Il.
Posts: 138
My jay flight 24 rks is aluminum. Like anything, it has its drawbacks too. I go through the ritual in the spring, uncover, wash the roof, inspect for caulk cracks, wash the sides down and give it a coat of wax. Nu-Finish liquid is easy on and off and removes the dark streaks caused by a dirty roof. Wouldn't use it on a car again though, on the TT it works great. Use it on a vehicle where you have black plastic trim next to the paint and you will have a heck of a time getting it off the black plastic
Jeff61 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2014, 10:16 AM   #28
Senior Member
 
Bobx2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Colorado
Posts: 282
I've had both, and have had problems with neither. I don't purchase my RV's based on what materials the exterior walls are constructed of, however, the smooth sided RV's are much better looking. If I were to base my choice strictly on looks, it would be the smooth sided every time.
__________________

Becky, Bob and Taylie & Bode
2009 Silverado 2500HD Duramax/Allison
2014 Heartland Sundance XLT 245RL
His and Hers Polaris 570 Touring ATV's
2018 Polaris General 1000
Bobx2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-30-2014, 09:25 PM   #29
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Urbana, IL
Posts: 53
We have a 2005 Fiberglass StarCraft with delamination issues. I really love the fiberglass look, but we ordered a new 2015 Jayco today in aluminum....didn't want to take the risk.
mspontiac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-01-2014, 08:06 AM   #30
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sebastian FL
Posts: 196
Why is it that Smooth sided fiberglass units usually have aluminum framing and aluminum sided units usually have wood framing?

The foam used in the panel construction is polyurethane which has very low sheer strength. That makes separation of the skins from the foam very easy no matter what adhesive is used.

All this said, we had Fiberglass panel over wood framed Winnebago that was 30 years old when we sold it. There was only minor delamination in a couple of spots. Ours was always well maintained and leaks promptly repaired, but I have seen some of them with lots of rotten framing when people failed to repair the leaks. Our current Jay Feather 25Z is seven years old with no problems at all to date with the exterior.
__________________

John & Nancy
Jay Feather 25Z 2007
Ford F-150 XLT 5.4 Triton 2008
TeamFoxy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-01-2014, 08:32 AM   #31
Senior Member
 
Hitch Pin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Southern Ohio
Posts: 463
We got aluminum sides this time, the last two fiberglass trailers we had started to delaminate. The last one just under a year old, the first one just a little over a year old. No more fiberglass for me.

"And it was not do to lack of proper maintenance!"
__________________
2015 Jay Flight 23 RB
2014 Silverado LT 1500 with a 5.3 V8 Ecotec3
Hitch Pin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-01-2014, 08:48 AM   #32
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 525
I have aluminum because thats what my TT came with. It isn't a big deal to me but I do think the smooth sides look a little better.
__________________
Mike
'13 Ford F 150, FX4 Off Road, Ecoboost
'15 Jayco Jay Feather X213 BH
micron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-01-2014, 02:51 PM   #33
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Calgary
Posts: 147
Hail on aluminum is a pain

I have aluminum and suffered over 10,000 in hail damage this summer. Insurance will fix it, and it is now in the shop, but it has been a hassle.

Next time I may go with a smooth side, the climate does seem to be changing and there seems to be more hail storms (at least in Canada) these days.
__________________
2013 32bhds
2008 F250 Diesel
Reese dual cam (finally dialed in just right)
Yamaha EF3000iseb generator
Renogy 100 Watt Solar Suitcase
ensign is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-01-2014, 03:40 PM   #34
Senior Member
 
Ustabslim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Spicewood, Texas
Posts: 913
Alum side cost less, so easier to attract new buyers. Keep the water out and your fine.
__________________
2015 338RETS Eagle Premier gloss sides., king.
2012 Ram 3500, crew cab 4x4 duelly Deleted
16k miles, 530HP, 1000 +torque.
Ustabslim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2014, 05:18 AM   #35
Senior Member
 
Adk Camper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clifton Park,NY
Posts: 337
Copied this from another thread that had a poll. Aluminum or Smooth Side?

View Poll Results: Which line of Jayco Travel Trailer do you own?
Eagle 146 10.38%
Eagle Super Lite 77 5.48%
Skylark 17 1.21%
Jayflight AND Jayflight G2 499 35.49%
All Jayflight Swift AND SLX models 190 13.51%
Jayfeather travel trailer 154 10.95%
Jayfeather hybrid travel trailer (including Jayfeather SLX) 117 8.32%
Whitehawk 160 11.38%
All Starcraft models! 24 1.71%
Toy Hauler TT 22 1.56%
__________________
Chris
Chevrolet 2500 HD Crewcab
2013 Jay Flight 33 RLDS

Adk Camper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2014, 06:20 AM   #36
Senior Member
 
Ustabslim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Spicewood, Texas
Posts: 913
Quote:
Originally Posted by Adk Camper View Post
Copied this from another thread that had a poll. Aluminum or Smooth Side?

View Poll Results: Which line of Jayco Travel Trailer do you own?
Eagle 146 10.38%
Eagle Super Lite 77 5.48%
Skylark 17 1.21%
Jayflight AND Jayflight G2 499 35.49%
All Jayflight Swift AND SLX models 190 13.51%
Jayfeather travel trailer 154 10.95%
Jayfeather hybrid travel trailer (including Jayfeather SLX) 117 8.32%
Whitehawk 160 11.38%
All Starcraft models! 24 1.71%
Toy Hauler TT 22 1.56%
I don't know which are alum and which are fiberglass.
__________________
2015 338RETS Eagle Premier gloss sides., king.
2012 Ram 3500, crew cab 4x4 duelly Deleted
16k miles, 530HP, 1000 +torque.
Ustabslim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2014, 06:25 AM   #37
Lost in the Woods
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Woodstock
Posts: 1,128
Quote:
Originally Posted by Texashighsheriff View Post
I don't know which are alum and which are fiberglass.
I was confused as well...I think the wrong stats were posted
nbhybrid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2014, 12:41 PM   #38
Senior Member
 
Adk Camper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clifton Park,NY
Posts: 337
Quote:
Originally Posted by Texashighsheriff View Post
I don't know which are alum and which are fiberglass.
I'm sorry I should have broken it down for the folks that don't know which Jayco line is aluminum and which is has the smooth side.

Quote:
Originally Posted by nbhybrid View Post
I was confused as well...I think the wrong stats were posted
No the stats are correct I just assumed that most people on here know the different Jayco lines and didn't feel the need to break it down.
The only thing I did was copy the poll results from the other thread. It's not rocket science to figure out.
__________________
Chris
Chevrolet 2500 HD Crewcab
2013 Jay Flight 33 RLDS

Adk Camper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2014, 12:52 PM   #39
Senior Member
 
Camper_bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 7,207
Note, many Jay Flights can now be optioned with smooth sides.
__________________

-2018 Greyhawk 29MV
-2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) (Primary Toad)
-1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Secondary Toad)
-2014 Jay Flight 28BHBE & Ram 2500 6.4L CC 4x4 (sold)
Camper_bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2014, 01:10 PM   #40
Lost in the Woods
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Woodstock
Posts: 1,128
Quote:
Originally Posted by Adk Camper View Post



No the stats are correct I just assumed that most people on here know the different Jayco lines and didn't feel the need to break it down.
The only thing I did was copy the poll results from the other thread. It's not rocket science to figure out.
lol....I know most of the product lines but whether they are aluminum or fiberglass doesn't matter.

Like I said in my post at the start....I believe people buy based on floor plan,model,weight and price not in how it is made.

My particular trailer that I wanted only comes in fiberglass...I had no choice in the matter therefor it doesn't matter
nbhybrid is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:55 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.