Are Stick Built Small RVs going to kill fiberglass RVs?

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Uplander

...Most if not all use the industry standard of total length...meaning from the tip of the hitch to (and including) the rear bumper...NOT The length of the trailer body or living quarters. Widths range from 7 feet or less to 8 feet on average. I have been doing this for over 30 years and it has always been that way...

A Lance 1475 has a 14'10" cabin length (overall length is 19'8").
A Camplight 14DB has a cabin length of 14'11" (overall length 18'8").
A Snow River 234RBS has an overall length of 26'10", so presumably the cabin length is 23'4".

Designating models by cabin length seems to be common in the conventional trailer industry.

[Mike Magee]

Originally Posted by BarbieB

Check out Helio and Alto trailers....just saw these at the Montreal RV show....they were cute and interesting!

Hmm, the Helio web page says it's molded FG. I wonder if they're making molds of the sides and the top, then joining them with FG similar to how an egg's two halves are joined? If so, we should include these in our list of manufacturers.

[V'sGlassSleeper]

I came across this post and just have to add my two cents. Several years ago, when I was first looking to buy a travel trailer, I looked at a number of brand new models that were in about the same price range ($12-15K) as the used 1988 Bigfoot B19 which I ended up buying. The reason I went with the Bigfoot was the quality of the interior - in particular the bathroom, the ability to camp in 3-4 seasons, the weight, and the safety ratings. All the brand-new trailers had shower walls and sinks that were so thin and cheap that I could not see how they would hold up. Some makes and models of newer trailers may be of better quality, but that was just my impression from years ago. I think what is a good value depends on how you are going to use the trailer though - if you can get a newer one for much cheaper than the above prices and are only using it on weekends or occasionally or can retrofit it with a better-quality shower enclosure, etc., it may be fine!

In terms of off-gassing, those new trailer fumes are really very toxic - they contain formaldehyde and other chemicals. If you're a tough bird and aren't easily bowled over by environmental toxins, it may not be an issue, but if you're like me and very sensitive to cigarettes, paint fumes, solvents, etc., it's really better to go with a trailer that has already had time to off-gas or is made of higher-quality, low and non-toxic materials. Luckily, there is something out there for everyone! Happy Trails!

[TheWanderers]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

The Chevys never killed the Cadillacs. There are buyers for each type.

I like the way you think. This is very true in any competitive market...

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

Hmm, the Helio web page says it's molded FG. I wonder if they're making molds of the sides and the top, then joining them with FG similar to how an egg's two halves are joined? If so, we should include these in our list of manufacturers.

Looking at the pictures on their website, it still looks like regular seams to me. But then sometimes pictures can be deceiving

[Chester Taje]

My trailer is molded in 4 pieces. Front cap and roof 1 piece molded. Sides molded,rear cap molded. Not all molded trailers are just 2 pieces. Some thing to think about.

[Mary F]

HI, Ches!! (waving like crazy)

How 'bout the underneath?

Check out this pic of Doug Payne's Kustom Koach.

[Dextersp1]

I think I should not have used the words 'stick built' because many new RVs do not use wood but aluminum, gel coats and board insulation.

I also think you can not compare trailers from several years ago with today's. The construction and materials have changed.

Now if you look at the big mfg (Jayco) and their products - they are not very good in my opinion.

Check out:
Winnebago minis:
Minnie | Floorplans | Winnebago RVs

Also check out Outdoor RVs
ORV | Floorplans



The weight of the Outdoor products are more then the popular fiberglass RVs here but the insulation is better then fiberglass RVs

As others have said the new construction techniques will improve the quality of non fiberglass mfgs.

If layouts like this were available when I was looking, I would have bought one.





http://www.rvsrfun.com/New-Inventory...rizona-1215612

[Chester Taje]

Originally Posted by Mary F

HI, Ches!! (waving like crazy)

How 'bout the underneath?

Check out this pic of Doug Payne's Kustom Koach.

Hi Mary
Yup same as mine. They are well built. Not many around. They were built in MedicineHat Alberta.

[Darral T.]

It appears that all the top is molded in one piece with a "lip" molded onto it as well. Then it looks like the lips seals (fiberglasses to the sides?) around the sides in a much tighter fashion that others.

This one is basically a copy of the T@B. I test-pulled a T@B and it was as easy to pull as my Scamp. Didnt do enough "long-term" to check mileage etc. I despised the TAB because of all the ABS plastic it had on it. It also had the manual "surge" brake...not sure if I'd liked that or not.

Here's a link to the actual website of the RV Donna B posted a pic of. They're pricey! Not sure what the conversion would be in US $$.

O Series Ultralight Trailer | Hélio

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Looking at the pictures on their website, it still looks like regular seams to me. But then sometimes pictures can be deceiving

[Mike Magee]

I received a PM yesterday from one of the owners of Helio RV. He explained that the top piece and side pieces are molded FG, and the joints are "overlapped with epoxy glue". I wrote back and asked how he thought the glue's strength would compare, over time and rough roads and UV exposure, to the way most egg halves are joined.

As I understand it, most eggs have some resin-impregnated fiberglass mat or cloth across the seam as well as having resin/hardener applied to the lips... am I right?

I wouldn't get too excited about the difference between epoxy glue and FG resin/hardener, since epoxy is basically a variation of the latter. Mainly a question of polyesters versus polyamides or polyamines, and not a big issue. But I think the Scamps, Casitas, etc have a little more holding the two halves together than just a coat of liquid that has hardened; correct me if I'm wrong.

Other than that question of durability in my mind, I think the Helio does meet the descriptor, "molded fiberglass."

[Raz]

A fiberglass T@B. Fourteen feet with a queen bed. With the current exchange rate (about $ .75 US to the $ 1 Cn) the price is competitive. There is mention of a fiberglass floor. I wonder how they stiffen it. Wood? Looks like a nice trailer but there's not enough windows for me. Raz

[Darral T.]

Mike- good question. I toured the factory and just happened to video the interior of a shell that had been recently joined. I captured a photo out of the vid and display it here. The shells are fiberglassed together then the joint covered with another piece of fiberglass cloth and coated with the polyester resin again. VERY strong joint. I've never heard of a Scamp's joint failure unless it was a wreck or just a totally deteriorated shell. See the photo below.

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

I wouldn't get too excited about the difference between epoxy glue and FG resin/hardener, since epoxy is basically a variation of the latter. Mainly a question of polyesters versus polyamides or polyamines, and not a big issue. But I think the Scamps, Casitas, etc have a little more holding the two halves together than just a coat of liquid that has hardened; correct me if I'm wrong.

Other than that question of durability in my mind, I think the Helio does meet the descriptor, "molded fiberglass."

[MarkyVasquez]

"You can have the best product in the world, but if nobody knows about it, what good is it?"
The Austin RV Expo, one of the biggest in Texas, is happening this weekend. I was looking at the pictures on Facebook and in one of them is the 17 foot Bigfoot and the Bigfoot Camper from Canada.
It's a shame Casita wasn't there. Their factory is only about 150 miles away.



Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

[Jon in AZ]

If enough people know about it to fill all available production capacity, is that good enough?

Participation in RV shows isn't cheap. That cost gets added to the price of the product. It's not like Casita, Scamp, and the others are unaware of how the rest of the industry works. I'm guessing they have considered it and rejected it as not worth the time and manpower.

[Donna D.]

Folks are waiting for the production schedule for 2017 Escape trailers to open in the Spring. They're at manufacture production capacity now. Jon is right, why attend an RV show if you don't need too. The same with the other all-molded-towable manufacturers. ALL the stickie manufacturers are competing with one another for buyers. A totally different market.

[Darral T.]

And if they got more business.....how could they handle it??? I think Escape has over a year waiting list right now. While it would be nice to see the FG's at RV shows, they simply dont need- nor evidently want- more advertisement. I think WoM is getting them all the business that makes them happy.

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

If enough people know about it to fill all available production capacity, is that good enough?

Participation in RV shows isn't cheap. That cost gets added to the price of the product. It's not like Casita, Scamp, and the others are unaware of how the rest of the industry works. I'm guessing they have considered it and rejected it as not worth the time and manpower.

[MarkyVasquez]

I was never aware of fiberglass trailers. I bought a Jaco and then a KZ. The KZ had a 2 year overall and 12 year warranty on the roof. I found out accidentally about fiberglass because I happens to camp during a Casita rally.


Happy Camping!
Marky

[MarkyVasquez]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

If enough people know about it to fill all available production capacity, is that good enough?



Participation in RV shows isn't cheap. That cost gets added to the price of the product. It's not like Casita, Scamp, and the others are unaware of how the rest of the industry works. I'm guessing they have considered it and rejected it as not worth the time and manpower.

The thing is getting future customers. One of the main reasons Escape has a one year waiting is because of the Canadian dollar depreciation. They didn't have these waiting times before the devaluation. The fiberglass companies aren't behind because of the amount of orders but because they build only until one is ordered. The wait is because of the time it takes to build. The manufacturing process they use is also outdated. It's very different from the other RV manufactures where they produce what people want now. People don't want it wait a year for their RV, car, etc.
China depreciates their yen to sell more goods to the US. Escape is doing the opposite by increasing the price by four thousand. Let's see what happens now. With waiting over a year to order and paying four thousand more they're going to lose lots of customers. I can already see it on their forums. Not very many people want it wait two years to travel and camp.
I'm not bashing FGRVs, I'm talking about business. I own a Casita.


Happy Camping!
Marky

[Donna D.]

Marky, we'll have to agree to disagree. There will always be people who don't know about all-molded-towables and that doesn't have anything to do with RV shows. Some folks never research anything before they buy much of anything and that will always be the case. I think it's up to the consumer to be informed and not up to the manufacturer to educate me. YMMV