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05-30-2008, 07:08 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 2
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What are some of the pros and cons of metal vs. fiberglass trailer siding? I think I like the glass. I've had metal and it dents and tears quite easily. Thx.
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05-30-2008, 07:08 PM
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#2
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 2
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What are some of the pros and cons of metal vs. fiberglass trailer siding? I think I like the glass. I've had metal and it dents and tears quite easily. Thx.
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05-31-2008, 04:12 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Southern CA
Posts: 334
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That would be my only comment as well. My first trailer was metal, it dented easy and was more difficult to keep looking new. The next 5th wheel was fiberglass and I would never go back to a metal sided RV. The fiberglass looks better, is easier to keep looking new, and resists dents and the like. The pro I've heard to metal is that it doesn't weigh as much.
__________________
2008 Newmar Kountry Star 3943
2008 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited
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05-31-2008, 04:48 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Somewhere in the lower 48
Posts: 2,308
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to me appearence and ease of cleaning are to two major pros. If you can get Gelcoat, even better.
__________________
John, Joyce and Zoie (our 17# Guard Dog)
2018 Ford F-450 KR / 2019 Mobile Suites 40KSSB4
Fulltiming since 2008 and loving it
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05-31-2008, 05:34 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 1,545
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I guess it depends on what kind of metal you're talking about.
We had a Lazy Daze Class C which has an exterior made of smooth (note, not the "wavy" aluminum siding), sectional replaceable aircraft aluminum panels (which can be individually replaced if damaged). The aluminum panels are then painted with aircraft type two-part polyurethane enamel, which is very easy to keep looking nice for years.
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2014 Winnebago Aspect 27K
2011 Kia Soul
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05-31-2008, 06:19 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2001
Location: NV
Posts: 2,065
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the gel weighs a lot more, i forget the exact weight of it from the last time i bought a 5'r (with metal siding) but 800 pounds (??)
with seemingly just about everyone trying to rationalize being overweight with their rig, i chose the lighter,
the gel looks better
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F350 PSD 4x4 SRW, BanksBrake, FOX res shocks, MagHytec, DP tuner, JohnWood tranny;
ChrisCraft Launch VP8.1 ;
3 hound dogs
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06-01-2008, 02:44 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Cypress, Texas USA
Posts: 8,854
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We've had the textured metal siding as well as gelcoat-coated fiberglass. The gelcoat fiberglass wins hands-down in terms of appearance, dent resistance and reduced maintenance to keep it looking good.
Rusty
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08-03-2008, 07:41 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Vancouver, USA (WA, that is) the first one!
Posts: 302
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When I was looking at pre-owned aluminum-sided Safari coaches, I saw mostly nice looking rigs, almost no appearance problems. And, as you know, weight is critical in motorhomes. I ended up with glass, and have to work to stay within my GVW and GCVW. I realize glass may not be the whole problem, but it has to contribute to it.
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Ken & Carolee, 1994 36' Pace Arrow/Ford 7.5L, Mobil 1 full syn & Banks Pack. Towing a 1999 Saturn SL2 with Roadmaster Sterling All-Terrain & Brake Buddy.
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08-03-2008, 06:44 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,592
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On the other side of the coin, aluminum dents look bad but don't leak. Metal panels are replaceable; dents in fiberglass look bad, are difficult to repair, and often leak. Wavy fiberglass panels look worse than dented metal in my opinion. Replacing a fiberglass panel is either quite difficult or near impossible.
That said, we like our present fiberglass sided 5er; last one was aluminum, incl roof.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD , ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA. " My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
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08-04-2008, 01:39 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9
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I have had both. I have had two fiberglass sided, one MH one 5th which delaminated. Aluminum doesn't delaminate.
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