Aluminium cladding or Fiberglass
Submitted: Sunday, Mar 13, 2011 at 22:32
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Micky b
Hi this is my first post so please be gentle
I am going to do some tyre kicking on some vans with
views of purchasing. My preference so far is a jayco Sterling with shower and
toilet. My question is regarding the external wall coverings. The seems to be very solid adding to the strength of the van.
Would any one have a list of pros and cons of both fibreglass external linings and aluminium cladding.
Thanks Mick
Reply By: Dennis Ellery - Sunday, Mar 13, 2011 at 23:05
Sunday, Mar 13, 2011 at 23:05
I have a fibreglass 24’ Jayco Sterling 2008 Model.
In the past 3 years we have towed it twice around Australia - about 40,000 ks
Obviously it’s not an off roader but I have taken it
places I shouldn’t have, across a couple of 1000ks of unsealed corrugated roads. Had the leaf springs shift a bit, had the electrical connection to the brakes shake loose, and had the gravel fling off the wheels and break a PVC drain pipe to the shower. Knocked the back legs off going over a culvert (now have it raised a 100mm)
I even got in the van and had the missus belt along a gravel road to see what the vibrations were like. It shook like hell (no shockies of course) and it made the microwave plate jump around.
There is no structural damage (that I can see) to the chassis, the fibre glass sides or the cupboards. My next van will be Jayco fibreglass.
The fibre glass construction is heavier than Aluminium and due to its rigid nature I doubt whether manufacturers would use this material in an offroad van.
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Follow Up By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 06:56
Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 06:56
Hi Dennis. My brother has a Baroma off road van and it has a composite material, around 22mm thick, with a fibre glass coating to the outside. Like you, he has been round oz over the last three years, travelling full time without any signs of fatigue to the body/shell structure.
I have an Outback Sterling,2010 model. Although I have not been in any extremely rough territory, so far it has stood up to what we have taken it over.As you have found out, that extra 100mm clearance is a godsend. I like the flat side appearance with the advantage of being easy to wash down when required, including up on the roof. I will make sure the microwave plate has a non slip mat under it in future though. Thanks for
the tip. Bob
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Follow Up By: Fred G NSW - Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 10:21
Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 10:21
"I even got in the van and had the missus belt along a gravel road to see what the vibrations were like. It shook like hell" :~)
Good onya Dennis, that's what I call thorough research. I guess that would be a good way to pinpoint dust invasion also, amongst other things.
As Bob says, thanks for the Micowave oven plate tip.
Fred
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Follow Up By: Lucko - Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 12:56
Monday, Mar 14, 2011 at 12:56
Regarding looking after your microwave on the road. We carry the glass plate in a drawer, not in the micro. Our biggest problem was the, obviously tiny, vibration of the microwave door which eventually wore some of the paint off where the door seats against the microwave proper. The result was severe arcing between the door and body, put insulating tape over it but quickly wore off. Looked, smelled and sounded very sus, so we had to replace it. Now we have a sheet of very thin bubble wrap wedged between door and frame for travelling. Hope this helps someone.
Mark
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