Not sure that doing all this internet research has gotten me any closer to a decision. Is all the talk about the fiberglass wall panels delaminating as common as it seems to be mentioned? It seems that a person can be given many horror stories on which way to go on a lightweight trailer to the point of being more confused and afraid to pull the trigger. What criteria does most use to make the final decision? Is there really a good place to get reviews. So far this site seems to be the best I have found.
When I was looking, I looked at new and used TT's. Many of the used fiberglass TT's I saw had delam issues. It's generally caused by water getting between the fiberglass and the wood it's glued to. Some manufacturers have less problems than others, but anytime water gets behind it for a period of time, it will delam.
If one were to have such problems after purchasing it, it would be more difficult to repair than the alum siding. I ultimately bought a new TH with alum siding, but it was more an issue of price than what type of siding it had. Also, the alum siding TT's are typically lighter than their fiberglass equilalent.
Well Steve, there once was a wise man who said on this forum... there are two kinds of trailers - ones that leak and ones that will leak. However, one can do A LOT to prevent leaking and delamination by proper maintenance. First is to have a Sealtest done professionally to determine any places where the sealant is not good. Check the roof a few times a year for missing caulk, loose screws (not the ones in your head) Over 20 years we have had a few minor leaks which were repaired without too much of an issue. If you think you can buy the best RV and it won't leak, think again. If buying used, do all the checks that this forum has talked about; soft spots, signs of leaks, etc before buying and then ask the dealership to have a Sealtest done. Take good care of your RV and it will in many cases take goog care of you.
Parents who still don't know anything
Twin college graduates who know everything
One lazy Westie
2000 F350 DRW 7.3 PSD crew cab
2007 Jayco Eagle 291 RLTS
2003 Coleman Sedona towed by 99 4Runner for the "graduates"
I was constantly looking down the side of my trailer thinking I saw some sort of bubbles or warping.
I covered the roof with Eternabond and got a leak test. Once I was fairly confident that the TT wasnt leaking I eventually forgot about delam.
It is only a problem if it is really bad, or if the trailer is still leaking and thus delam is getting worse.
If you are buying a trailer and there are no bad signs of delam then seal it up after you purchase it with Eternabond and ProfexRV (which you should do anyway) and then just dont worry about it.
2010 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Diesel 2012 Jayco Eagle Super-Light 314BDS
Welcome to the intenet, where anythings possible. Takes some time to sypher thru all the bs on internet forums. Some of it is spot on and like you say some of it is exagerated. People tend to be sensative about what they buy, they don't want to come accross as having done something stupid so they will exagerate/lie/deny things about thier purchases. As far as the delam goes, tough question. I never even considered tin sided TT's when we were looking. I like the look of glass and there are more glass sided TT's in our area than tin. The floor plans and interior finishes were better for us. Will I have delam problems? Hope not and I thoroughly check it over several times a year to keep an eye on caulking. Go to amost RV manf web sites and look at their products, the majority are glass. I really don't care if it's for eye appeal or what but if they were having all the problems that you read about on the internet, I doubt glass would be the dominate seller. Another thing about internet forums is that most people go on them when they have a problem, and are looking for help. I read this site and several F150 sites as well as my TT's foruum site. And Just because a certain problem has 8 pages of responses doesn't mean it a major problem. How many times can you go on this site and see a title that says " My TT isn't having delam problems what should I do?" Never.
* This post was
edited 02/23/12 08:54am by goducks10 *
Why not buy a trailer with no wood in it.Make mfgs produce trailers that will last. As long as people keep talking about delam. rotting wood and go back to dealer and buy another one just a different brand made the same way they will be these problems.I purchased a evergreen and even took a tour of plant. NO WOOD IN MY WALLS.(but even they are making cheaper trailers no igo, select they have wood.wood gets wet rots,molds & falls apart.
dblackburn2367 wrote: Why not buy a trailer with no wood in it.Make mfgs produce trailers that will last. As long as people keep talking about delam. rotting wood and go back to dealer and buy another one just a different brand made the same way they will be these problems.I purchased a evergreen and even took a tour of plant. NO WOOD IN MY WALLS.(but even they are making cheaper trailers no igo, select they have wood.wood gets wet rots,molds & falls apart.
Wood is not the cause of delamination, it is normally water intrusion. I do agree no wood would be nice.
* This post was
edited 02/23/12 02:52pm by DavidP *
Wood is not the cause of delamination, it is normally water intrusion.
No one says wood causes delamination- water is the obvious cause.
BUT
When water does get in:
Wet wood swells, rots, and in the case of plywood can delaminate in its own layers, not to mention "let go" of the fiberglass skin that it's glued to...
Wet non-organic composites do none of the above.
" Not every mind that wanders is lost. " With apologies toJ.R.R. Tolkien
NO delam. is the lauan plys coming apart from water.everlites have no lauan there for no plys to come apart.plastic and water prof loctite will not delam.
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