Would You Buy Fiberglass Siding Again?

[reeses]

We have a 2014 28BHBE with fiberglass siding which we absolutely love. We've considered a 32BHDS, however not too seriously, hard to beat the shower in the BHBE

However, if we were to more strongly consider moving the the BHDS I've been thinking more about aluminum siding. Really for two major reasons. First, weight - the larger camper with FB siding can get heavy quickly. The other is no worries of delamination.

I do think the fiberglass looks better, and I imagine its easier to wash. Just not sure if those two things out weight (no pun intended) weight and potential maintenance issues.

One reason we've not considered getting the BHDS is b/c all the nightmares we all read about quality control issues. We feel like we're lucky with our '14 as it's been a very reliable unit <knocking on wood>.

If you were to but a new camper today, knowing what we know, would you buy Fiberglass or Aluminum?

[Camper_bob]

I would likely buy aluminum again.

The down sides you mentioned of aluminum don't really bother me. The only thing that is significantly harder about washing it would be waxing it, and I haven't done that yet. Washing is pretty simple, and I use wash with wax in it, so my siding still looks pretty good.

No worries about delam, and if something gets damaged, I can just replace the one panel and not have to potentially replace the whole wall. Though fiberglass isn't too terribly difficult to repair from what I understand. Still more difficult than aluminum though.

I'm more interested in this "Azdel" stuff. Been looking at motorhomes, and an aluminum frame with Azdel panels sounds mighty appealing from a water intrusion perspective. Both are basically immune to water, so if you have a leak, you're not looking at replacing walls and framing, which is quite appealing IMO.

[SkyBound]

I've owned 2 aluminum trailers and I'm happy with it. It does take a bit more time and work to clean it, yes. Every time I see delamination damage on the fiberglass trailers I am thankful for my aluminum. I do wonder about things like window gaskets since they aren't up against a nice flush surface to seal... Never had a problem yet, but time will tell.

Most importantly, if you have a nice trailer that you know and trust and isn't giving you grief with issues, KEEP IT! I would be nervous giving up my current trailer that's been amazing for a new one, especially with all the quality control issues that are surfacing as of late. It seems like you open yourself up to a gamble getting a new trailer these days...

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

I've owned 2 aluminum trailers and I'm happy with it. It does take a bit more time and work to clean it, yes. Every time I see delamination damage on the fiberglass trailers I am thankful for my aluminum. I do wonder about things like window gaskets since they aren't up against a nice flush surface to seal... Never had a problem yet, but time will tell.

Most importantly, if you have a nice trailer that you know and trust and isn't giving you grief with issues, KEEP IT! I would be nervous giving up my current trailer that's been amazing for a new one, especially with all the quality control issues that are surfacing as of late. It seems like you open yourself up to a gamble getting a new trailer these days...

I was going to mention that too. We LOVE our BHBE. It has been virtually trouble free for coming up on 4 years now. It seems like there are more complaints about quality control coming out of Jayco than before, but I guess that could just be my perception. They DID have a record-setting year, so there are more of them out there, and logically there would thus be more complaints.

If we weren't dead set on getting a MH in the next few years, I would probably keep my trailer for at least another 10 years. We probably won't be getting a Jayco when we finally do pull the trigger on a MH, but it's not off the table entirely.

[oldmanAZ]

We didn't buy fiberglass the first time.

The primary reasons were the extra cost and the delamination we saw here in AZ on stored trailers. We don't know how old the fiberglass units were, but spending more to get additional risk didn't seem like a good idea. (We also didn't get the OEM television for similar reasons. )

We've also seen many fiberglass trailers that are dull looking. That seemed to us to mean that fiberglass may be 'higher maintenance'. We had an older class B motorhome with a fiberglass top with regular van (metal) sides. Compared to the sides, the top was always more difficult to keep looking nice.

Those were our thoughts and our experience. I imagine the technology now is different, but we weren't sure enough to spend the extra money.

A down side of aluminum you didn't mention would be hail damage. Our TT has extensive small dings from a storm (no glass, skylight, or water damage). The insurance company paid the claim (eventually!), but we used the money to buy a generator and other stuff. Years from now when we get rid of the trailer, the difference in resale/trade in price the dings won't matter.

[Crabman]

Several threads here on the forum covering this issue, here is the official JOF siding poll and discussion.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f1...oll-22576.html

[NewBlackDak]

Originally Posted by Crabman

Several threads here on the forum covering this issue, here is the official JOF siding poll and discussion.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f1...oll-22576.html

We've had 2 issues on ours that could be disastrous with fiberglass sides. The first is a long dent/crease on the road side where a kids coming downhill ran into it with his bike. What amounts to a dent would have probably been a crack. The second was when my wife took the trailer and kids out a couple days before I could get out of work. She had a meeting with a tree on the curb side. I ended up replacing the little door stopper/hook, steps, and entire door. A couple small dents on either side of the door in the aluminum. It cracked the door, and would have done that to the sides if it were fiberglass.


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[DanNJanice]

My main reason for getting fiberglass was that if I ever have to do any window sealing, trim sealing, etc, the aluminum is a nightmare because of the "steps". I have been happy with the fiberglass (filon, I think), think it looks better and is easy to clean. Having said that I did have to get the front panel replaced due to delamination.

[SouthCo]

I've had both and yes I'd buy the fiberglass again. Yep, it costs more and makes the camper heavier, but I think they look much better.

Lots of ways to justify going with either so you have to just get what you like, what fits the budget, what makes you feel comfortable, etc....

[Kahoneys]

It seems that we are getting hail all the time lately and the fiberglass does not dent like the aluminum does. The auto dealers have an unending hail sail but the RV dealers in the area don't due to them carrying fiberglass campers.

[medic149]

I have a 2012 256RKS with smooth fiberglass sides. It looks better and is easier to care for. Just bought a 2019 29RLDS with aluminum sides. Had delamination and will never buy fiberglass again. Too costly to fix.

[wags999]

Having toured several RV factories, including Jayco I was appalled by the lamination process of the filon panels. An area I have some experience with. You are relying on a chemical bond (adhesive) no mechanical bond. Also having worked at campgrounds for the last 5 years I can't tell you the amount of delamination I have seen. I would say 40% and not on old units. It is costly to repair, never matches colors etc.. I have the aluminum, as far as looks, well, new the laminated panels look great, if you get delamination, not so much.

It is a misnomer to call the panels fiberglass. it is a plastic panel with fiberglass threads reinforcing it, the same material you see in fast food kitchens and many bathrooms, albeit not the textured as they use but smooth. This product will move with temperature swings. After 2000 the adhesive mfg were forced to use changed, which is subject to deteriorate if exposed to moisture.

All said, not only do you save dollars upfront, you save if any repair is needed.

JMHO Happy Camping

[Tinyhse]

Just got back from a trip. Gentleman at the campground had a 2 week old camper. Back wall already experiencing delamination.
Camper listed for over $40,000.00.
He wasn't a happy camper and neither would I be.
I've been RVIng..for close to 30 years and on my 7th.RV. I'm not at all happy with the direction the industry is going in. JMHO..
Fortunately my 145RB has been pretty much flawless.

[FeatherFam]

This has me even more paranoid. I have sealed everything that is sealable on our Feather. Oh well, I hope it lasts.

[ALJO]

No delamination on the Tuffshell from 2005, vacuum bonded process

[schrederman]

Third TT and third fiberglass... No issues.

[FeatherFam]

ALJO and schrederman, have either of you done anything to seal your units (roof, cap, wall/roof seams, windows . . .)? Any other effective techniques with laminated walls?

[Atlee]

I couldn't vote in that poll, because it didn't have a third choice. The poll asks, either or. For me, the correct answer would be, I would buy aluminum or fiberglass again, in the future.

I'm more interested in the floor plan that works for me, than the siding.

[norty1]

I voted fiberglass. If you want a rig over 35’, you will be very limited if you don’t want fiberglass. I have had 2 with no problems.

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by norty1

I voted fiberglass. If you want a rig over 35’, you will be very limited if you don’t want fiberglass. I have had 2 with no problems.

Also there are very few 5th wheels in aluminum siding now. It does limit the choices.