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Old 10-13-2018, 02:25 PM   #1
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TT exterior corrugated or not corrugated?

Hi everyone,

So the industry seems to be getting away from corrugated exteriors and I’d like opinions on both. As a casual observer, the non-corrugated does not appear to be as tough or last very long. Am I just seeing TTs that owners don’t wax and care for or do they all fade and delaminate after a couple of years? On the other hand I see 20 year old corrugated TTs that still look good. What’s the difference between these two?
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Old 10-13-2018, 02:29 PM   #2
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Corrugated siding, commonly called stick and tin, are generally wood framed with aluminum siding. They tend to run heavier.
Smooth sided have aluminum framing and filon siding and are generally lighter than similar stick and tin models.
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Old 10-13-2018, 02:34 PM   #3
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I had the same question after the Pomona show. Following

That said, it appears that corrugated is heavier but stronger and construction uses studs (either aluminum or wood) whereas the flat side stuff is resin (fiberglass) overlaying thin plywood with a gel coat (think boats) on top. There are some laminated walls (I think) that do not use plywood. Construction may or may not use studs.
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Old 10-13-2018, 04:13 PM   #4
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Filon sided have an aluminum frame bonded inside the walls.
Most have some aluminum studs, I believe.
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Old 10-16-2018, 02:03 PM   #5
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If you get a dent or hole in the fiberglass ones you have to replace the whole side whereas the corrugated ones you can replace just that certain panel.
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Old 10-20-2018, 05:54 PM   #6
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To me, the casual observer, the corrugated looks finished whereas the “Filon” as one poster called it looks unfinished. It looks like a house missing brick or siding to me. It goes down the road, and I think, that looks naked and unprotected. De lamination is a huge problem that seems to be swept under the rug. Unfortunately for me, RV manufacturing and purchasers disagree, leaving me fewer viable choices. And there are the folks that think corrugated is for the lower tiers of the RV population.

So there is a challenge for me to find a decent corrugated TT (still haven’t pulled the trigger) and I guess the hunt is on, which is fun itself!
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Old 10-20-2018, 09:01 PM   #7
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I guess I'm just low life trailer trash then with my aluminum siding. Even tho its brand new.
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Old 10-20-2018, 09:35 PM   #8
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We had a 1995 Kit Sportsmaster Patio Hauler that has the "cheap" corrugated siding. After 21 years it would wash up and shine, never did wax it. I agree it shined better than our 2 year old fiberglass siding. Guess I need to start polishing, my wife wants to wash it tomorrow anyway.
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Old 10-22-2018, 06:17 AM   #9
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Fiberglass to stick and tin

We currently have a 2013 Rockwood fiberglass TT but plan to buy a corrugated TT before next spring. Our daughter and her husband is taking the Rockwood. We have not had any problems with delamination but fear it will happen sooner or later. We don't care that that some say Stick and tin is cheap or entry level TT. I know for us its really about what makes you happy. We don't need to keep up with the Jones of the RV world.
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Old 11-05-2018, 07:40 AM   #10
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Hail Damage Comes to Mind

My first TT was aluminum sided. Here in the south, hail is common and my TT was beat up pretty good. From then on it has been fiberglass for me because I don't like looking at dents, but that may be just me.
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Old 11-05-2018, 07:45 AM   #11
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I had two aluminum sided campers totaled from hail storms. I’ll never buy one of them again strictly for that reason. The cost to replace all the siding was more than what I paid for it brand new so insurance totaled them both.
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Old 11-05-2018, 08:40 AM   #12
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Both have their advantages...

I wouldn't choose one over the other worrying about hail damage.

Aluminum dents...fiberglass will get holes from hail!

In the end, insurance will cover either!

If we worried this much about every single thing that might, can or will happen to our RV's...

We might as well just stay in tents or hotels.

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Old 11-05-2018, 08:47 AM   #13
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I want one made out of the same material the black boxes in airplanes are made of.

And I want to be able to wash it easily. Mine is FILTHY, especially underneath.

But both have plus and minus issues. Weight is one. The smaller trailers where weight is not a massive concern seem to be stick and tin. I have had both, don't know that I noticed either 5 minutes after driving off the lot.
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Old 11-06-2018, 09:51 PM   #14
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Like most things, There are PRO's and CON's to both.

Aluminum Siding
Less expensive
Lighter weight
Easier to repair dents, holes or water damage
Harder to clean with all the grooves than a smooth side trailer
Usually built on wood framing (Not Always)

Smooth sided trailers/Fiberglass/Filon/Gelcoat
More expensive
Heavier
Easier to clean
Some like appearance better
Usually built on Aluminum Framing

Here is what I think is a fair assessment.

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Old 11-26-2018, 01:06 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CUBS_WIN View Post
If you get a dent or hole in the fiberglass ones you have to replace the whole side whereas the corrugated ones you can replace just that certain panel.
No disrespect mean but fiberglass siding can be repaired, However if there is a lot of damage an whole area may need to be replaced. I prefer fiberglass I guess because of the looks
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Old 11-26-2018, 02:56 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CincyGus View Post
Like most things, There are PRO's and CON's to both.

Aluminum Siding
Less expensive
Lighter weight
Easier to repair dents, holes or water damage
Harder to clean with all the grooves than a smooth side trailer
Usually built on wood framing (Not Always)

Smooth sided trailers/Fiberglass/Filon/Gelcoat
More expensive
Heavier
Easier to clean
Some like appearance better
Usually built on Aluminum Framing

Here is what I think is a fair assessment.

Actually, stick and tin trailers are generally heavier than comparable filon-sided/aluminum framed trailers. The wood framing makes them heavier.
Most ultralights are filon-sided/aluminum framed.
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Old 11-26-2018, 01:06 PM   #17
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My previous trailers were "tin sided" and I hated them. The sides are not single sheets but several interlocking sheets with horizontal joints. The joints trap dirt and moisture, often growing algae that is hard to remove without using a pressure washer.

The irregular side is difficult to wax as well. Every ripple has to be done by hand.

For my last trailer I rejected all possible models with tin sides and sought out the one I bought because it has the smooth fiberglass sides. It's also a lot better insulated than the tin side's IMHO.

Just treat the smooth sides like one would treat a boat. Wash and wax annually at least. Cover when stored to minimize UV degradation (which also happens to the paint on tin sides).
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Old 11-26-2018, 01:16 PM   #18
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When we bought our TT I was strongly leaning towards smooth sides. While at RV wholesalers on a very warm day we looked at 2 nearly identical forest fiver TTs, one fiberglass and one aluminum, the fiberglass was hot inside but tolerable, the aluminum was unbearable inside and I had to leave in a few seconds. Decision made, aluminum was remove from the list of options.
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