Fiberglass and cold weather

[Missouri Mark]

In the past couple of days, because of cold weather, I broke a handle on a bucket, the hinges on my cooler lid, and this morning I broke the spoiler on the back of my car. So I wondered this before, in extremely cold weather, would I be in danger of the fiberglass flooring of my future RV cracking when I am walking on it in very cold weather. Especially since I am a big guy around 280lbs.

[steve dunham]

I have walked / worked on/in both my Scamp & Casita at temps well below zero F and have not encountered any problems . We had -15 below F this morning with -35 below wind chills and I was out in my Casita working without any issues except my hands and the top of my head got cold. We are getting a heat wave this coming Saturday when temps are expected to jump into the double digits (10 to 12 deg F)

[Darwin Maring]

Depends on the thickness and sturdyness of the floor. Anything is possible at your present weight. Thick fiberglass over a thick strong plywood floor that is well braced to the frame would be what I would strive for.

[Mike Magee]

With the glass strands lending strength, fiberglass is stronger than plastic in such conditions. You should be fine.

Also, keep in mind that not all FG trailers have a FG belly. Of those that do, there's an interior floor overtop that FG belly. I'm not sure if anyone besides Eggcamper coats the top of their wood floor with FG resin. So, I don't think you'll have any problem.

[Pineapple Man]

Just wondering, does anyone know if Scamp coats their wood floors ?

[Jon in AZ]

Scamp does, but on the bottom, not the top.

[Randy P.]

They made snowmobile hoods from fiberglass for years. These survived extreme cold and rough treatment very well. Also, car bodies such as Corvettes were made from fiberglass and they didn't seem to suffer any ill effects due to cold that I'm aware of. I've even known people who live in fiberglass houseboats year around, (bubbler around the hull to keep from freezing in) and they handle it fine.

In Minnesota we know cold. I think you're good.

[Dudley]

My old ventura survived outside since new and we hit -40C or -40F(about the same) on a regular basis. There were a lot of spider cracks but that was probably caused by flexing due to snow load on the flat roof.

Randy, I lived in Duluth and I can agree with your statement about knowing cold! Some of the worst snow storms I have ever been in were in Duluth and yes I know you guys all blame us in Canada for those storms! We do have to send them somewhere you know.

[Randy P.]

We even have a name for storms you send us David. They're called Alberta Clippers.

Thanks pal. Do you need any mosquitoes?

[Dudley]

Ya those are actually sent to us first from... Alaska! No on the mosquitoes unless its an airplane (dehavilland mosquito that is). We get enough of the other kind up here as it is , thanks

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Pineapple Man

Just wondering, does anyone know if Scamp coats their wood floors ?

I believe its a fiberglass resin only they use to coat the underside. It works. Mines 23 years old and no signs of any underside damage to the trailer using that method and its been towed a lot in all sorts of bad weather. Being on the wet coast its been wet from highway spray on the underside many many times!!

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Carol H

I believe its a fiberglass resin only they use to coat the underside. It works. Mines 23 years old and no signs of any underside damage to the trailer using that method and its been towed a lot in all sorts of bad weather. Being on the wet coast its been wet from highway spray on the underside many many times!!

It's the water that gets in from above you have to worry about in a Scamp. But at least you have control of that!

[akwintergirl]

Well we have to send our mosquitos somewhere LOL.

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Fiberglass RV mobile app

[deryk]

Now back in college I had a Kawasaki Ninja. Winter time I wrapped it in a tarp and had it alongside the house I was sharing. Well my roommate was trying to back up hit a patch of ice gunned it and jumped the curb and just bumped into the bike and knocked it over. $2500 worth of fiberglass was replaced...one throttle rubber guard and a footpeg from the fall lol... it just cracked all over from the extreme cold. I am guessing the flooring should be stronger. But yeah I am leery of taking the ParkLiner off roading below freezing temps.

[Randy P.]

Deryk are you sure the Ninja body panels were made of fiberglass? Many were ABS plastic.

[deryk]

hmmm don't honestly remember lol was 20 years ago.

[John Hussey]

Originally Posted by Dudley

My old ventura survived outside since new and we hit -40C or -40F(about the same) on a regular basis. There were a lot of spider cracks but that was probably caused by flexing due to snow load on the flat roof.

Randy, I lived in Duluth and I can agree with your statement about knowing cold! Some of the worst snow storms I have ever been in were in Duluth and yes I know you guys all blame us in Canada for those storms! We do have to send them somewhere you know.

Yeah, Thanks a lot!

Some of them even make it down here to Florida a few times a winter. Not often but some...But by then they have blown their strength out over the more northern folk and it just means i have to pull on a small fleece over my Tee shirt, but still wearing my shorts and sandals. AAAHHHHHhhhh, our Florida winters.....

[Spanke]

Originally Posted by Mike Magee

With the glass strands lending strength, fiberglass is stronger than plastic in such conditions. You should be fine.

Also, keep in mind that not all FG trailers have a FG belly. Of those that do, there's an interior floor overtop that FG belly. I'm not sure if anyone besides Eggcamper coats the top of their wood floor with FG resin. So, I don't think you'll have any problem.

Trillium floors have plywood sandwiched between a layer of fiberglass top and bottom in the main sections. Makes for a very strong floor.

Spanke

[John Hussey]

My 2000 Casita 16' does too-fiberglass top and bottom.

[David Tilston]

Originally Posted by deryk

hmmm don't honestly remember lol was 20 years ago.

My Yamaha RZ350 had no fibreglass, only polycarbonate panels. Not much fun to ride in the winter, but that didn't stop me.