If you are looking for quality in a travel trailer, you might be asking yourself a question. What is better: fiberglass or aluminum travel trailers?
Short answer: Fiberglass travel trailers are the better option because of their lighter weight, better gas mileage and ease of maintenance.
When purchasing a travel trailer, the last thing you want is the thing to fall apart on you. Especially when you have owned it (or used it) for a short period of time. Indeed, travel trailers include materials that are excellent in quality.
They are even made with some materials that can take a beating from the outside elements. We’re talking not just insects, but also hard objects such as hail and flying rocks. Objects that can cause dents if they hit your travel trailer hard enough.
Whether you’re moving along or if the trailer is at a standstill, it can somehow get damaged. The real question is: can your travel trailer take a beating? Better yet, which travel trailer does a better job doing that?
Let’s keep reading and answer the question of whether fiberglass or aluminum travel trailers are the better option.
Fiberglass Travel Trailers (best option)
We’ll elaborate on the reasons we’ll mention here in a bit. If you want something that will be easy to clean and maintain, look aesthetically pleasing, and yes take quite a beating, fiberglass wins out.
While aluminum may seem like a good option on paper, it has its weak points. It can also be enough to where you may decide that an aluminum travel trailer won’t be a good option. That’s not to say that aluminum travel trailers are bad in general.
Aluminum travel trailers are perhaps one of the better options in terms of affordability. At the same time, if it does get damaged in an accident (or at least part of it), it can be easily replaced.
At the same time, you’ll also want to take a look at which material will fare better in cold weather. Not all travel trailers are designed to be used all four seasons. However, if you are storing one in the winter time, you want one that can handle the harsh conditions. Now, let’s take a look at the following advantages that travel trailers with aluminum siding have.

Scamp Trailers are a popular fiberglass choice.
Advantages of Aluminum Travel Trailers
- Less expensive: If you are on a budget, you might find that aluminum travel trailers may be the best option.
- Siding is easy to replace: If the siding gets damaged in an accident, you can be able to replace it by yourself.
- Easy for wiring purposes: Aluminum travel trailers will have space that will allow you to run cables and wires through. If you are planning on hooking up a satellite dish to your TV to your travel trailer, aluminum makes it easier.
Disadvantages of Aluminum Travel Trailers
- Can easily be damaged by hail: Hail can be nasty during a severe thunderstorm. Depending on the size, it can also leave quite a bit of damage in its wake. An aluminum travel trailer will get damaged badly if it takes on plenty of hail.
- More susceptible to water damage: Water damage is no fun. Neither is mold growth as a result of water damage itself. The roof corners and the side of your aluminum travel trailer can be access points for water leakage. Make sure they are inspected regularly and sealed off to prevent water leakage.
- Not great for cold weather conditions: This is an issue especially in older model travel trailers. The insulation could fall apart and create enough of a gap to allow cold air from the outside to enter. When this happens, the interior part of your travel trailer will lose heat fast. Newer models can still do their best to keep the insulation intact, but the potential for gaps still exists.
Advantages of Fiberglass Travel Trailers
- Aesthetically pleasing: From the inside out, if you see a travel trailer that looks great, then there’s a good chance that the siding may be made from fiberglass.
- Greater noise reduction: If you are looking to keep sound from getting in or out, fiberglass walls are perfect for that. While it won’t make things completely soundproof, it’s beneficial if you want some good ol’ fashioned peace and quiet after a long day on the road.
- Easier to clean: If you want to clean and maintain your travel trailer, fiberglass will make it quite easier.
- Can take a beating: Unlike aluminum, fiberglass travel trailers will be able take on larger sized hail during a storm. It might not get dented badly, but it’s tough enough to handle it.
- Can last longer: Because it’s durable and easy to maintain, it sets the stage for a lengthy lifespan.
Disadvantages of Fiberglass Travel Trailers
- Wiring will be difficult: If you are planning on setting up a satellite dish, fiberglass travel trailers will make that challenging due to the lack of space for wires and cables.
- A bit on the expensive side: This is to be expected. Better quality, better durability, and yes…that means a higher price point. Certainly worth every penny at the end of the day.
- Older models can have issues: If you have an older model fiberglass travel trailer, you could run into various problems. This can include potential damage that may be a challenge to fix by yourself.
Closing Thoughts
If you are planning on buying a travel trailer (be it new or used), fiberglass travel trailers will be the go-to option. Sure, it has its own disadvantages.
But they do have some pretty good advantages and benefits as well. It will last you a long time and can hold its own even in the winter time. While a bit on the expensive side, you may find it worth the investment in the end.
Aluminum travel trailers do have their own advantages. However, they may not be worth using in winter weather conditions. Plus, they could easily get damaged if nature decides to unleash its worst.
Either way, it’s your call. But if you want something that will last you long and don’t mind spending extra, fiberglass is the best.
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