What are the advantages or disadvantages of Fiberglass or Tin siding on trailers? We currently have a nice Rockwood with Fiberglass siding and no slides and thinking of a unit with slides
I personally like the looks of fiberglass. It's smooth and easy to clean. So long as there are no leaks you're good. However once water starts to cause delamination you're in trouble.
With the aluminum it's typically rigid and things like window's don't exactly set flush on the material (unless you get the smooth aluminum. As far as maintenance, water damage isn't as challenging. Usually you can replace the panels as needed.
Despite the potential troubles with fiberglass, I own one and I'm actually repairing it. I still like it, but I think my next TT will be aluminum.
These are just my opinions based on my experiences. I can't give you too much, but maybe someone else can weigh in.
The exact same trailer with aluminum siding is 400 pounds lighter than a fibreglass sided trailer.
For years Nash and Komfort offered some models with a choice of either.
Their brochures listed weights of each type.
If you are one of the folks wanting to have a soft riding 1 /2 ton SUV instead of a genuine 3 /4 ton HD pickup then aluminum siding will help.
However once water starts to cause delamination you're in trouble.
With the aluminum it's typically rigid and things like window's don't exactly set flush on the material (unless you get the smooth aluminum. As far as maintenance, water damage isn't as challenging. Usually you can replace the panels as needed.
Yes, delamination can be a trouble. Often of a cosmetic variety, not affecting the structural integrity, but it happens ... probably in more than 50% of all TTs within the first 10 years. Almost always it is not a structural damage, because FG siding doesn't add much structural strength. Delamination itself is not a "problem", it's a sign of a problem - indicating that underlying thin plywood begins to rot and separate from the top coat of fiberglass. But it has to be fixed to prevent further water ingress.
Aluminum siding - normally you don't have to "replace" the panels. Those aluminum sheets will outlast the rest of the trailer and its owner. What you have to repair (when water gets in), is the rotten wood frame under those sheets. This is a structural damage, and seems to me more an immediate danger that rotten plywood layer under FG coat. This damage can go unnoticed for years, because exterior aluminum panels still remain nice and shiny.
Either one will need repair if (or should I say - WHEN) water gets in, and either one takes a lot of sweat to repair on your own. With "average" water damage, say few feet of rotten studs in a stick frame, it is easier to repair than average delaminated area.
basscatlildave wrote: What are the advantages or disadvantages of Fiberglass or Tin siding on trailers?
Which is best Ford or Chevy? Both have their problems same as fiberglass vs. aluminum so it's just a matter of personal preference. I personally like fiberglass because it just looks like something that should be on a vehicle that's on the road to me and aluminum siding looks more like what you'd see on a house. I don't think I've ever seen a house with the type of fiberglass siding that they put on RV's. Top of the line motor homes wouldn't look very good with aluminum siding which is the way I feel about trailers. But luckily everybody doesn't like the same things so go with what you like.
Good luck to you.
2010 Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 8315BSS
2003 Chevy Silverado 1/2 Ton Extended Cab
Aluminum vs fiberglass is simplifying things, there is more to TT differences than what is covering the outside.
Going from your Rockwood to a TT with metal siding is more of a change than a different skin material, it is a totally different construction. The Rockwood uses laminated foam-core side walls with aluminum reinforcement for stiffening. Primary strength comes from lamination of the skin to the foam.
The aluminum skin TT you are considering is most likely a fully framed wall, wood or aluminum framing, with insulation inserted and inner and outer covering attached. Primary strength is from the frame, pull the skin off and it loses little strength. Wood frame walls are built in at least two different weights, with lightweights using fewer and smaller frame members, for thinner walls.
Not all fiberglass skin RVs have laminated walls, laminated panels are an economic choice, trading more costly materials for a reduction in labor (constructing those frames is expensive). Several manufacturers build framed walls with a fiberglass skin, these are premium-priced RVs. Other manufacturers using framed walls offer you a choice of aluminum or fiberglass skin; the fiberglass skin is always an extra cost option.
So in a TT, you are looking at three to five options, not just which of two skin materials. In terms of construction cost and market position, they tend to rank, lowest to highest cost:
6. Aluminum or steel frame construction, aluminum or stainless steel stressed skin (1930's-50's aircraft technology, e.g. Airstream, Spartan, and commercial motorcoaches).
The advantage of laminated panels over lightweight frame walls is greater panel strength, so long as the lamination stays intact. Cosmetic damage can be repaired (at least hidden) with body-shop techniques. Significant structural damage to a wall panel (including delamination) may require replacement of the whole wall, usually a total loss for insurance purposes.
The advantages of a framed wall include not being structurally damaged by delamination (the skin might come off, but can be fastened back on), being repairable when damaged to a greater extent, and in heavier wall thicknesses, often better insulated.
The advantage of fiberglass skin over aluminum skin is that it doesn't need paint (but looks better painted), and it can sustain greater impacts (think hail storm) before denting. The disadvantage is that if it does dent, it may puncture, and dents will not vacuum out. Replacement of a damaged fiberglass skin, when possible, usually requires replacement of larger panels, often a whole wall, rather than small sections.
Probably a lot more than you wanted to know, but there is often more that matters than what kind of skin covers something.
To add more to your confusion, there is also
# 7. Aluminum frame with aluminum siding, with same "pink wool" inside as in wood frame units. Basically, same as #1 type only with aluminum frame.
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