Advantages of fiberglass?

[dbailey]

I'm a newbie here. I'm starting the research on upgrading my tent trailer to something a little more comfortable and complete. In stumbling around the internet I tripped over a link and found myself here.

The notion of a molded fiberglass trailer intrigues me. I think I can see a number of advantages, but I'm the first to admit I'm still quite ignorant about trailers.

So help me out: what are the big advantages and disadvantages of molded fiberglass travel trailers?

(My apologies if this is a commonly hashed-over subject -- I did try searching the past posts but didn't find much).

Thanks for the education...

[CindyL]

It lasts. Many of the well-maintained campers here are many years old. Mine is 24 years old. Even beat-up fiberglass campers that were made into garden sheds can be redone and brought back on the road.


Plus, you make lots of fellow campers intrigued and envious of your "cute, little trailer."

CindyL

[Byron Kinnaman]

There's no seams around the roof to leak.
They're light weight.
Tow easy.
Hold their value.

[Vickie B.]

and CindyL should know---"Howie" is a cute little critter!!!!!

[dbailey]

Thanks, all. I've gotten a good bit of information from the "similar threads" that showed up at the bottom of my post. One thing I've taken away from LurkerDan's post is that when I'm shopping, probably the most important thing to look at is the frame.

I should watch out for fiberglass problems and leaks, but I can probably repair those myself.

Are there any other big potential issues to be aware of when I'm looking for a used model?

[Ken C]

You are talking used not new so each company has their own issues, once you find one you are interested you can ask about it here so everyone can tell you what to inspect before you buy. The members here have a wealth of experience. There is a buyers checklist in the document section on the left hand side of the page here. It might help you out too. Good luck and keep us posted on your hunt.

[CindyL]

Originally Posted by Vickie B.

and CindyL should know---"Howie" is a cute little critter!!!!!

Aw, gee, shucks. Your "Bean" is adorable too.

Bailey,

I say this to all the people shopping for used fiberglass campers. They are popular and sell fast. If you take too long making a decision, you can lose a sale. We saw our Uhaul on ebay (after someone here on the forum was asking questions about it) and 10 minutes later, bought it. Happily, it had a "Buy it Now" (It was a deal!), and we had an income tax refund with a plan for picking it up.

Good luck. Most of the time, once a fiberglasser, always a fiberglasser. Your biggest problem will be lusting after some other fiberglass camper even when you have your own. Now if only they shipped the dub-box to this country....

Cind

[Darnelle]

Originally Posted by CindyL

Aw, gee, shucks. Your "Bean" is adorable too.

Most of the time, once a fiberglasser, always a fiberglasser. Your biggest problem will be lusting after some other fiberglass camper even when you have your own.

I second that!!

[dbailey]

Originally Posted by CindyL

Now if only they shipped the dub-box to this country....

Heh... The first vehicle my wife and I owned was a VW microbus. That dub-box would go over very well...

[CindyL]

Yeah, I know. Everybody has a VW story. Almost our first car was a '69 Autostickshift Beetle (that we still have and it still runs) followed by a bus. We now have that Beetle, a '68 VW pickup, a Eurovan (that pulls our Uhaul camper) and a new-to-us 2007 salsa red VW Beetle convertible. Happily for us, because that dub-box is expensive, it is only in Britain as far as I know, and aside for a part where a poptop can be added, you can't stand up in it. They made the mold by literally welding together two VW vans to act as the mold for the mold, so to speak, to make it realistic. It is still cool though!

CindyL

[Donna D.]

After the frame the second most important thing to look at is the FLOOR for rot! YMMV

[Roger C H]

Speaking of rot, check around the windows and other openings where the window or grill may be installed. Nothing is impossible to repair, but some things are more work than others. Only you can judge your level of skill and commitment and compare it to your pocketbook.

Welcome to the fold.

[james kent]

Look for the Document Center on the left hand column and print out the Checklist to take with you when you go to look at a trailer.

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by dbailey

Are there any other big potential issues to be aware of when I'm looking for a used model?

#1: Clean Title
#2: Clean Title
#3: Clean Title

Francesca

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by dbailey

The notion of a molded fiberglass trailer intrigues me. I think I can see a number of advantages, but I'm the first to admit I'm still quite ignorant about trailers.

"We have not succeeded in answering all your problems. The answers we have found only serve to raise a whole set of new questions. In some ways we feel as confused as ever, but we believe we are confused on a higher level and about more important things."
This is from a plaque I have on my wall. I have been owned by Fiberglass for 10 years now. I am working on my "Doctorate of Trailering" at the School of Hard Knocks. Somehow, I doubt I will ever graduate. You are new; standing on the cliff, wondering if your bungee will hold as you start this thrill ride over the edge.

Look over a course catalog, and see if you can earn your credits:
Trailers 101

• "Weight, Weight- Don't Tell Me!": Towing Capacity (fact or fiction)
• "Parts is Parts": Frame- Body or "Shell"- Suspension- Lights- Interiors-
• "Give me a Brake!": Why you want them
• "I don't Need no Steenking Papers!": The importance of Legal Title

Fiberglass 102

• "If I knew It was going to live This Long": It's all about maintenance
• "To buy Used, or Not to Buy Used": That is the question. (see above)
• "Raindrops Keep falling on my Head": Rivets- Butyl Tape- Window Gaskets-
• "But It's so CUTE!": 2-Foot-itis when the bloom is off the rose.

Money Pit 103

• "You can pay me now, or you can pay me later": Advanced New vs. Used
• "Where have all the Dealers gone?": How and why to buy Factory Direct
• "YOU"RE ASKING WHAT?!?": Why "NADA" guides are worth nada.
• "That's Optional": Expectations about features may not match reality

That's most of the Lower Division classes. I have to go now, But maybe others can suggest Upper Division classes

[dbailey]

An excellent quote...

[rabbit]

Generalities contain anomalies. Some polyester eggs have vertical seams. Generally speaking, molded glass hulls have fewer places for the introduction of water, but seams, grills, windows, thru-hull fittings either don't leak, leak, or are going to.

It's not about age but it's easier to get dead-on replacement stuff from Elkhart for trailers 10yrs. old or younger.

Fiberglass theoretically provides a light body so some egg frames are made too light. If the frame is sistered with fishplates, it has buckled or cracked.

There are at least two major methods of building/attaching interior fitments/furniture. Thruhull rivets fail; a molded inner hull is not the route to the lightest wgt.

Given that the golden mean of glass trailer length is about 16-17', it may be that the real economy is in limiiting yourself to a size you can comfortably operate and maintain regardless of build method.

jack

[Donna D.]

There's three methods of building/attaching interior fitments/furniture:

1. Thru rivets/bolts/screws (Scamp/Casita, etc.)
2. molded inner hull (U-Haul, Burro, Oliver, etc.)
3. tabs that are fiberglassed to hull and fitments/furniture are attached at that point (Escape, early Bolers, mods to add, etc.)

In the end, it's all about maintenance. Differed maintenance costs a lot in the long run.

[rabbit]

Forgot about tabbing, Donna. Should remember; tabbed enuf bulkheads and lockers in glass cruisers.

jack

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Frederick L. Simson

[I] I have to go now, But maybe others can suggest Upper Division classes

Post Graduate Studies are strictly for those willing to undertake the rigors of qualifying for the award of a PhD.
In order to be declared a Doctor of Philosophy in this Field, the applicant will spend a minimum of
The Rest of His/Her Life in contemplation and discussion of the most important philosophical question in this field, to wit:

Which came first: overheated pricing for old molded trailers, or internet fan clubs like ours here at FGRV?

........
Francesca