dspencer
Missouri
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Joined: 02/07/2006
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The DW and i went to our local RV show this past Sunday and are talking very seriously about upgrading our Hybrid too a regular travel trailer. I need some honest real life opinions on the pro's and cons of both aluminum siding and gelcoat, also advice on keeping an aluminum siding trailer looking nice. I may be wrong but i would think waxing an aluminum siding trailer would be a real chore! FYI it would be stored inside when not in use. I have the gel coat now and truthfully i'm not impressed with it but i'm sure there's good and bad to both.
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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Joined: 04/19/2005
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Aluminum is very durable, cheaper, more forgiving, never delaminates, lighter than FG and utilitarian which is what I like. It is difficult to wash and wax but since it will be stored inside no big deal.
I have never owned a FG sided camper but they appear to be easy to wash and are shiny. Heavier than aluminum, cost more, and not as durable in impacts and would result in costly repairs. Just my observations
09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)
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BlizzardBuzzard
South Windsor, CT, USA
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Joined: 01/11/2005
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My 5th wheel is aluminum. My (tiny) Fun Finder X-160 is Gelcoat. My 34' Motoryacht is Gelcoat. My Trophy fishing boat is Gelcoat. My half dozen small sailboats are Gelcoat.
God, I wish my 5th wheel was Gelcoat.
Dave, N1ACM
2004 Dodge Ram 2500HD, Quad Cab, Long Bed, Cummings
1999 Prowler 285S, 5W & 2008 Fun Finder X-160
Reese 15K, Prodigy
Luhrs 3400MY & Trophy 2302
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Mortimer Brewster
Northern Illinois
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Another vote for Gelcoat. Easier to maintain. I highly recommend getting a buffer.
KZ Spree 289KS
'05 Suburban 2500 w/ 8.1
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jmtandem
western nevada
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Joined: 01/18/2006
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Quote:The DW and i went to our local RV show this past Sunday and are talking very seriously about upgrading our Hybrid too a regular travel trailer. I need some honest real life opinions on the pro's and cons of both aluminum siding and gelcoat, also advice on keeping an aluminum siding trailer looking nice. I may be wrong but i would think waxing an aluminum siding trailer would be a real chore! FYI it would be stored inside when not in use. I have the gel coat now and truthfully i'm not impressed with it but i'm sure there's good and bad to both.
dspenser,
Fiberglass/gel coat siding also needs waxing and washing. That is a moot point in comparing aluminum vs fiberglass/gelcoat. Gelcoat is much more durable for dings and nicks like frisbees hitting the siding. Aluminum dents very easily. Gelcoats weigh more and typically are more expensive. Just my guess but I would think they bring a higher resale value, too. So, perhaps that is also a moot point. It is more about what you want and how heavy you want to tow. The only Aluminum sided trailer I would consider is the Airstream.
'05 Dodge Cummins 4x4 dually 3500 white quadcab auto long bed.
'09 299bhs Tango.
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hammer21661
Eastern Shore MD
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That aluminum sided one will be around when the fiberglass over luwan camper is dead and gone. But the fg one is alot better loking and if you store it inside that stops the clock on it (Weathering). Get what ever one you like better.
07 Ram 3500 Quad cab DRW Cummins 6.7,6 speed auto, Larime 4x4 long bed (affectionatly known as "Super-awesome-mega-truck")11/17/12
05 Kubota RTV 900.
04 Club Car Precident
2013 fuzion 322 all the bells and whistles.8/25/2012
2000 Yellow Lab mix Dog , Earl
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Lowsuv
Oregon
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Joined: 12/06/2011
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the aluminum corrugated siding makes the trailer about 400 pounds lighter
my 2002 Komfort with aluminum siding still looks brand new
frequent washing after Every trip is the key
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bmuller
Airdrie Alberta
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Joined: 06/02/2005
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two years ago we drove through a hail storm... made it through with broken tail light And a dented truck... after replacing the tail light the trailer looked new again... aluminium would have been pitted everywhere
TV - 2012 F150 SCREW 3.5 Ltr V6 (ECOBOOST)
TT - 2010 KZ Spree 324BHS LX
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dave17352
LINCOLN, NE
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Joined: 09/20/2004
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I have a fiver with gel coat and a TC with aluminum. I have done some repair on the aluminum and it was easy. I think the gel coat would be a lot more difficult. That being said I like my Gel Coat too. So I say get what you want.
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gijoday
Unicoi, Tennessee
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To each his own but mine shall be aluminium siding. The weight difference and durability are a plus for me.
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