We have been looking at picking up a newer trailer and I was wondering which was better? Currently I am running an aluminum sided trailer but I like the looks of the fiberglass.

 

No comparison. Fibreglass is smooth, so much easier to seal such as windows, corners, doors, hatches, access panels, lights, etc. Easier to clean. Easier to repair. Does not dent - - might punch thru but takes a good wallop.

Get gel coat finish, not Filon.

Bob

 

X2 -- I would never go back to Aluminum siding. Fiberglass construction appears to be stronger and is usually laminated to aluminum framed sidewalls.

 

Bobby knows his stuff...and what has been said is good advice. Even from Bobby. J/K

 

Ours are Gel Coat and our last one had Filon. We will never have anything other than Gel Coat from now on.

 

What is the difference between Gel Coat and Filon? Are the Filon coated sides the ones that turn a light yellow over time?

 

Filon is not real slick. It has small bumps on it. With age it will yellow some but so can gel coat, but not as bad. Filon can wear and expose small ends of the glass which then seems to mildew. Periodically you have to give it a mild bleach wipe to get it back clean.

Bob

 

I see. Can a Filon coated Fiberglass panel be sanded and re-done in gelcoat (like a boat finish restoration?) How can I tell when looking at a fiberglass RV if it is Gel vs. Filon - the lack of smoothness noted above?

Thanks for the information!

Also - as long as the Aluminum siding is in good shape, what detriment is there to aluminum? I see it usually is lighter weight (good for the low weight capacity of my truck.)

 

If you are going so far as to sand a filon finish, you might as well paint it. That will be cheaper than trying to gel coat it and it will be easier to maintain and look better, like in neat color scheme. YEH.

Aluminum is a good product, but I gave the normal negatives on it. You just normally have many more leaks with aluminum, not to mention it expands and contracts more than fibreglass which sure is not good when trying to keep things sealed. Some panels are mostly flat, but many of them have lots of curves which makes it very hard to lay a window against and seal it. Aluminum punches thru easier than fibreglass and you have to replace the panel for a decent repair and hope the color matches. The aluminum clad trailer is normally lighter than the fibreglass units and as such are normally cheaper. They typically are wood framed units which is wonderful when they start to leak. NOT.

Bob

 

The fiberglass (or laminate sides) are the cleanest looking - but you do have to keep up on the cleaning/waxing. If your looking at an older unit check for delamination (seperation) of the panels - once this starts you have very few if any repair options.....in addition to my Ram we have a 1995 Winnebago - Adventurer Class A MH (moving to a Fifth Wheel)- wax it once a year and use a good quality quick spray wax on a regular basis - this will keep it looking new....

 

Cool, Thanks!

I think I can get some of the units re-skinned in Fiberglass, if the aluminum is bad, but it is probably not worth the expense. Still looking to see what I can get on my truck.

Have a great weekend, all!!