Lite/ ultra lite versus stick and tin pool

[SecretCoveDave]

Well said clubhouse.

[Hitch Pin]

Originally Posted by amabee

And how many "stick and tin" trailers have rotted out walls or floors that no one has noticed yet?? This can go on and on, personally, I'd rather just go camping

If that does happen, it's still away better than a delamination problem, at lest I can fix it my self. And I guarantee you it won't cost near as much to fix as the fiberglass would.

[homer1959]

But hey if someone is tired to look at the delamination , whats stop him to put aluminum siding over the fiberglass ? As long the delamination isn't caused by water one can install the siding, and aluminum framing is superior in my book over stick .....feasable you think ?

[spoon059]

Originally Posted by Hitch Pin

If that does happen, it's still away better than a delamination problem, at lest I can fix it my self. And I guarantee you it won't cost near as much to fix as the fiberglass would.

Exactly. Either way its water intrusion and that water is going somewhere. In a fiberglass wall its just going down the inside of the fiberglass and settling on your plywood (or particleboard) flooring and rotting that out.

Pick your poison.

In my opinion they both suck, but its much easier and cheaper to repair damaged 2x2's in the wall. You can either remove the aluminum from the outside or wall panels from the inside. Fiberglass walls require a specialist who takes apart the ENTIRE structure and rebuilds it and re-skins the entire wall.

In warranty, who cares. Out of warranty, which option would you rather pay?

[homer1959]

But if, at the end nothing bad happen then, the fiberglass trailer is still looking much better :-) especially without all the dents all around the trailer that you can get with the alum.siding........ ;-)

[Adk Camper]

Hitch Pin and Clubhouse I'm with you 100% on this. If folks that are interested in this topic went for walks around the CG looking for delamination I really think they would be shocked at how many TT's of all brands have it.

I've long since come to the conclusion that there are an overwelming amount of folks that just use their unit and do very little maintenance then trade it in within 5 years and several are right here on this forum and the proof is in one of the polls I started.

In the end I feel bad for the poor SOB's that buy these half (moderator edit)maintained trailers used and then wonder why they have problems.

[Paintinfool3]

Well I have owned fiberglass motor homes that had delam issues in places and my first tt was fiberglass over aluminum construction and after 12 years had some delam but I still went with the fiberglass eagle tt when I bought new last year. I work on corvettes for a living restoring old ones and I know quite a bit about glass. When I went to the jayco factory and watched some of how the walls were made I liked what I saw. The big thing like most here have already mentioned is maintenance on the exterior. Making sure things stay sealed properly will insure water doesn't intrude ... Most fiberglass walls are also attached to a thin layer of Luan backing to give them more structure and it is the water between the backing and glass that causes the problem . I say each to the look and finish outside they like, as for me I still will stick with the smooth glass exterior.

[homer1959]

Maybe azdel is the ultimate solution since there is no more luan ?

Originally Posted by Paintinfool3

Well I have owned fiberglass motor homes that had delam issues in places and my first tt was fiberglass over aluminum construction and after 12 years had some delam but I still went with the fiberglass eagle tt when I bought new last year. I work on corvettes for a living restoring old ones and I know quite a bit about glass. When I went to the jayco factory and watched some of how the walls were made I liked what I saw. The big thing like most here have already mentioned is maintenance on the exterior. Making sure things stay sealed properly will insure water doesn't intrude ... Most fiberglass walls are also attached to a thin layer of Luan backing to give them more structure and it is the water between the backing and glass that causes the problem . I say each to the look and finish outside they like, as for me I still will stick with the smooth glass exterior.

[bill777x]

Greetings,
I owned an Adirondack by Thor for 3 years before buying my Jayco. The Thor had aluminum wall framing and fiberglass exterior and was new in 2004. I never had one bit of delam problem while I owned it nor was there any of it when I bought it. I've heard the horror stories but it doesn't happen to everybody.
The lack of problems and the smooth look of the fiberglass was the main reason I stayed with it on our new one.

[Touch N Go]

Went over to a storage area around 100+ TT. I took a walk around and looked at older fiberglass TT and I got to say that 80% of TT were holding on. I agree that maintenance is the key. Go to your nearest storage area and look your self. Cased closed!!

[homer1959]

Thats in line with our scientific poll

Originally Posted by Touch N Go

Went over to a storage area around 100+ TT. I took a walk around and looked at older fiberglass TT and I got to say that 80% of TT were holding on. I agree that maintenance is the key. Go to your nearest storage area and look your self. Cased closed!!

[Witt74]

In July 2014, DW & I purchased a 2008 Eagle Lite 30.5 RLS. Two weeks ago I noticed a bubble on the roadside rear of the trailer by the small window behind the slideout. On the inside, the window frame was pulling away from the wall by as much as 3/4". I could see the insulation in the wall. One of the screws holding the window frame had popped out. Took photos today, gap had closed up to maybe 1/4". Called the dealer we dealt with and e-mailed photos to try to find a solution. Waiting to hear if the dealer can repair. Don't think it was water intrusion as I cannot find any signs of water, eg. soft spots, stains, etc.. Pushing on both sides of the wall, there is no give, the wall feels solid as can be.

[Witt74]

One of the first thing I did after the walkthru and bringing the trailer home was to go over every seam and check all caulked seams and joints. Saw no evidence of peeling/cracking.

[Adk Camper]

Say it isn't so.
http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=24438

[homer1959]

we need more vote guys :-)

[sjones6335]

We had a 2009 rockwood that delaminated after one year. Our current 2011 Jayco has been great.

[wags999]

Laminated panels are relying on a chemical bond only (ie glue). Metal siding has a mechanical bond, ie screws. i've seen too many delamination failures which can be difficult to repair. I have seen 30 year old metal rigs that still looked great.. Hard to glue two dissimilar materials, in all sorts of weather conditions, with added stress from movement and not have issues. Fiberglas and metal don't move at the same rates, 140+ temps in the desert and -20 in the winter, I think your asking for nothing but issues..

[Hitch Pin]

Originally Posted by wags999

Laminated panels are relying on a chemical bond only (ie glue). Metal siding has a mechanical bond, ie screws. i've seen too many delamination failures which can be difficult to repair. I have seen 30 year old metal rigs that still looked great.. Hard to glue two dissimilar materials, in all sorts of weather conditions, with added stress from movement and not have issues. Fiberglas and metal don't move at the same rates, 140+ temps in the desert and -20 in the winter, I think your asking for nothing but issues..

Amen!

[Hitch Pin]

If this was a nation wide poll, I believe you would see a completely opposite poll that what you see here.

How many agree?

[Touch N Go]

Go to your nearest parking storage area near you. Take a walk n see the older trailers with "Good Maintenance ", no delamination of walls. Dont go by what you see at the parks more likely those people have no Maintenance done on there ships.

Dont agree guys....