Back in the 90s, I had some property in Wisconsin and before we knew what we wanted to build on it, we purchased a 32’ camper to use as a house. I can’t remember the brand, but it was what we would say a traditional RV; today they are known as “stick and tin”.

Like I mentioned in “The Hunt for the Perfect Camper” post, I recently discovered the fiberglass RV; ok maybe a couple of years ago when I stumbled upon the Happier camper, but at that time I wasn’t serious about purchasing one. I hadn’t really thought about the differences in the build material until I started to venture down this path.

When I decided to write this post, I went back and did more in-depth research to see what others said about the benefits of fiberglass vs. stick and tin.

Aluminum RV aka Stick and Tin

Aluminum RVs have been around for a long time. When I dug into how they are constructed it made sense as they are built like you would build a house, just on wheels.

They are wood-framed structures where the aluminum is stapled to the outside as the shell. The aluminum is very recognizable, it’s usually wavy; I did come across information on the different “waves” of the siding. There’s insulation between the studs, then the inner walls. As you can see, lots of layers of wood and many seams.

The top right photo below is pretty typical of what you think about when you think of an RV; I always think that my grandmother would own one of these; the first RV I owned somewhat looked like this.

Over the years wood-framed RVs have changed in design. Some have smoother sides and as the one on the left, this is wood-framed with fiberglass siding so still has lots of seams. As more amenities are put inside, they have to find a way to lighten the load.

PROs

The main benefit is that aluminum RVs are cheaper than its fiberglass counterpart. This means you can get more living space for your dollars.

They can be easily serviced. If you need to get between the walls, then it’s easy to take just that piece of siding off.

Because they aren’t as customized, you can easily walk onto an RV lot and walk out with one that very same day.

They come in a lot more sizes, which means for a larger family you can probably find one that will fit your needs; of course, you’ll need a tow vehicle to be able to pull it.

What I found though were more downsides.

CONs

Because they are wood-framed, the RV will over time become less “tight”. Pulling an RV puts stress on it as it goes down the road; from the wind to uneven surfaces, all this will shift the frame of the RV.

When this shifting happens it can cause the seams to separate; even just a little will let water enter the walls and we all know what happens when water gets into spaces that can’t dry out yup mold. This may be extreme, but the problem is you can’t tell if there are leaks between the seams. You should check regularly and try to catch the damage early. This can be a costly repair.

Because the sides aren’t smooth, it makes it harder to keep clean; there’s more surface for dirt to cover.

Often the insulation used is the same used in a house and over time it can compact down leaving gaps in the walls where there is no insulation.

And one of the more well-known issues is hail damage.

Now, no RV can escape damage from softball size hail, but aluminum RVs are pretty vulnerable to even small-sized hail and as you can tell, its causes unsightly bumps on the shell.

And lastly, they are heavier for a comparable size fiberglass RV, and over time, they show their age.

I don’t know where the term “stick and tin” came from, probably from the fiberglass industry as a way to degrade the aluminum RVs.

Molded Fiberglass

Fiberglass RVs hit the market in 1968 from a company in Canada called Boler and this really changed the camping game. Boler really didn’t take off in America until @1970 when it rebranded for the American market and called itself Scamp. Scamp is still selling RVs today.

Molded fiberglass RVs are made from two fiberglass shells that are bonded together to create the outer shell.

There is a top and bottom mold (left pic). Fiberglass is sprayed in the mold and then the two halves are bonded then set for a period of time to harden.

The shell is attached to the frame. Using a stencil the openings are drawn on the side of the shell. This allows for window and outside access customization.

The insides are built out and then polished to finish.

PROs

The RV is lighter. This means you can get more upgrades than the aluminum RV for the same size. Some of the 13’ RVs can be towed with your everyday vehicle.

Because the outside is smooth, it’s easier to clean and the fiberglass holds up making it seem new even after years of use; of course, you should wash and polish it twice a year.

They are direct to consumer; no middlemen to deal with and because of this, the RVs can be really customized to your needs.

Very few outside access points for water to get inside; and not just water, but rodents too. This doesn’t mean water can’t get in, but the main culprits are the window and the roof openings. But because of this, water is usually discovered pretty quickly and can be repaired.

Better aerodynamics so you should get better gas mileage.

Lots of floor plans for the same size model.

Very active owners groups; owners look at these fiberglass RVs as a lifestyle.

As of today, they hold their value extremely well. Some have sold their used RVs for more than they paid for them. This may not hold true forever, but the COVID lockdown pushed a lot of people to purchase RVs as a way to get out of their houses.

CONs

The cost is greater. The RV I am looking at with the upgrades is @ $65k.

Harder to get wires through the walls if you want to modify them later.

Can’t go to a lot to buy one; they can take up to a year to get after you order it. There are used ones out there, but they sell fast.

They have limited sizes, rarely going above 21’; there are a couple of companies that are starting to build larger fiberglass RVs to attract families, but most RV sizes range from 13’ to 21’, not really sure this is a con. They were designed to go off the beaten path, not just stay in campgrounds.

Conclusion

I personally think the fiberglass RV wins over the aluminum. For me, it fits the lifestyle I want to create for myself. The retro look is what first attracted me to them, then it was the overall benefit of a solid shell and longevity of holding up…oh and don’t forget resale.

You have to decide what is right for you based on your needs whether it’s cost, lifestyle, or size.