Is fiberglass "better"????

GreenWillow · 07-12-2007, 03:11 PM

Hi everyone!
We are going to look at a Sunline tomorrow and hopefully will be a new owner!!! I do have a question (well, lots of them actually, but here's the first one for now

):
The dealer says this one is fiberglass, which is "better". I was under the impression that maybe both are fine, just different strengths/weaknesses?? And what are the strengths/weaknesses of each? He is telling me it adds about $2500 worth to the price, is that true?
Thank you all for the help this forum has been to us so far

tinybluetj · 07-12-2007, 04:01 PM

Hey GW!

Yes, fiberglass adds to the price. I am told that it is eaiser to clean and lasts longer, stands up to wear/ tear better. I like it because you can just hose it off for the most part. I also thin it looks nicer. I, personally, would pay for the fiberglass, but I don't know if I would pay $2500.

Poppy & Nana · 07-12-2007, 05:58 PM

GW - from everything Ive read I do believe the fiberglass adds to the weight of the TT also.....

I think it is also a matter of preference, DH does not like the fiberglass, he like the aluminium.

By the way - what are you looking at? Good luck Friday!

DF5.4 · 07-12-2007, 06:31 PM

Mine is fiberglass. It's very easy to keep clean. It does add weight. According to the old Sunline weight calculator the T-2970 with the Solaris SE adds 240 lbs. That's the fiberglass and some other goodies. It also adds insulation (weather and noise).

GreenWillow · 07-12-2007, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppy & Nana

By the way - what are you looking at? Good luck Friday!

Thanks everyone for your information! I am going to look tomorrow at a 2753 at the same dealer pamwinn bought hers. She was supposed to pick up hers today - lucky!!

I am excited but VERY nervous because we haven't even seen pics of this unit, and we had to put down a deposit to keep it off the auction block. The morning I called it was actually already hooked up & ready to go to Nashville, so I negotiated with the dealer by phone and they didn't take it to the auction being held this Saturday.

I hope the fiberglass doesn't add *too* much weight! We are pulling with a Dodge Ram 1500 and I am hoping to get by with it for a while ....
I heard that aluminum doesn't have to be waxed like fiberglass and we're pretty lazy when it comes to that kind of thing

But, this is apparently just about one of the last 2753s in the South so I didn't get to choose - it is what it is.

If this doesn't work out we'll have to drive to PA or NJ - yikes!!! That's a long first trip for people who have only had experience pulling a pop-up

How often does fiberglass have to be washed/waxed. and do you have to have special cleaners or waxes??

**Sunline Fan** · 07-12-2007, 09:06 PM

Greenwillow,

IMO, fiberglass is well worth the extra money and weight. I was once told the reason that option was so expensive from the factory was because the one piece 30' sheets of fiberglass had to be trucked from California, whereas the aluminum sections were only a couple feet wide and could be obtained from a closer source.

Fiberglass is quite easy to maintain, once maintained properly. I would recommend waxing the entire trailer at least once a year, plus washing it regularly. I would also recommend using a spray wax called Wax As U Dry by Eagle One on black streaks and just on the trailer in general between waxings. It can be used either on wet or dry surfaces. I have used this product on many different surfaces and it works great on everything. I would highly recommend it.

There's no particular wax that I would recommend for the yearly waxings. I personally like Meguiars Cleaner Wax, but that's just personal preference. Pretty much any good paste wax will do the job.

Jon

pamwinn · 07-13-2007, 01:20 AM

I know that you are going to love it. It's gorgeous.

MACK C-85 · 07-13-2007, 08:43 AM

We pulled our T-276-SR (6800 dry; 8200 gross) with a 1500 short bed off-road (5.2L, auto, tranny cooler, hd alt and radiator) and it did the job OK. It handled the weight OK, it just lacked pulling power uphill. FYI: We have an equilizer hitch. You should be OK, but don't expect it to win any speed contests!!!

We now have a 2500 w/Cummins and it pulls without thinking about it.