comparing Phoenix and FWC grandby

[NothingClever]

So what does everyone think about the aluminum siding that FWC offers? Does this appeal to anyone?

It didn't appeal to me until I had some tree slap put a dent in the driver side wall while tackling some trails last summer in Colorado. If I want to put the camper back to showroom shape, it's a whole lot easier to do that with the aluminum siding than fibreglass (which would've probably cracked).

That much said, if my wife and I opt for a Keystone on a full-size pickup here in another two years, we'll probably opt for the firbreglass "cuz it's pretty" and our wheeling adventures will get tamer in the interest of going further.

 

[Overland Hadley]

I wish FWC would compensate me for my opinions.

:xxrotflma

 

[Overland Hadley]

So what does everyone think about the aluminum siding that FWC offers? Does this appeal to anyone?

Below are the reasons I am going to order my camper with the aluminum siding.

There are a few reasons I have decided to stay with the aluminum siding, even though I once swore I would never own a camper that looked like it had house siding on it.


Looks: I like the way the glass (Filon) looks when new, but there is a (small) part of me that likes the old school look of the aluminum. My girl pointed out that the smooth sides look cheap, and I can see where she is coming from, especially with plain white glass. If you color matched the camper to the truck then it is a no brainer. But I also think in the long term the aluminum will stay looking nicer, as painted glass scratches easily.


Longevity: I am sure FWC has done it's homework, but I have become skeptical about how long the glass will look good, and looks are the only reason to go with glass. Spider web cracks from flexing. Scratches from tree branches. Minor dings and damage. These things will be very obvious on the glass, but not a problem with aluminum. The aluminum siding can have sections easily replaced, but as best I can tell the glass is a one piece shell, so fixing major damage would be a problem. In the end I know that a ten to twenty year old camper with aluminum siding still looks nice, and I am not convinced that the glass will stay looking as good as it does when new. (Stan please chime in if you have any thoughts on this.)


Cost: (Edit: now listed as a $650 option.)
$400 is not a huge amount, but it is over 5% the cost of a shell and I am pinching every pinney to afford this camper. (Not sure how much having a shop color match would be, but I would guess an extra $500+.) So for myself spending the extra grand just for looks is a big consideration, a thousand dollars buys a lot of gas.


Weight: (Edit: Added weight is 37 pounds on a Hawk.)
Just as with cost, I am watching every pound on this project. Stan says there is not much of a weight difference, but on a Tacoma every extra pound makes a difference. So I would go with the aluminum solely based on a small weight savings.


So those are my thoughts. I reserve the right to change my mind at any point.

 

[rotti]

Amen Hadley, that is what I meant to say. I just abbreviated it.

 

[Brushbuster]

Well we decided and placed the order for the Phoenix today so a trip to Colorado is on the agenda!! We had a 15 year old fifth wheel with the fiberglass sides and we did not take the best care of it. When we sold it we had it detailed and looked like new! no cracks or anything.

 

[krj]

Just curious, why wasn't ATC in you equation?

 

[Brushbuster]

I wanted a water heater and outside shower I did not see it on his website and he told me they dont do that. They look like nice campers and they are way closer to me. I also like the fiberglass outside.

 

[Larry]

I also like the fiberglass outside.

I hear that!

The fiberglass exterior is what initially attracted me to Phoenix as well. Everything I asked Rob and Cari if they could do special and out of the ordinary for my wants and needs they said no problem, we CAN DO THAT.

I absolutely despise the ancient corrugated aluminum siding that FWC and ATC use and their take it or leave it sales attitude. Funny story, a few years back I met Tom, the owner of FWC, as well as the FWC Ambassador at the Denver Expo and asked about an exterior siding alternative to corrugated aluminum while he carried on how great aluminum was over any other material. It seemed everything I wanted special the answer was NO, we don’t/can’t do that then after a while he just walked away from me while we were in mid-conversation. I guess I wore him out and he got tired of talking to me or something. I hope he had his lost sale booklet in his pocket that day, because he lost sale with me right there on the spot! Some customers just don’t want cookie cutter campers or are worried about resale. I had my camper custom made for me because I will keep it until the day I die. I could care less if my camper only fits my truck. It is what I wanted!

Cari and Rob at Phoenix are easy to work with before, during and after the sale. You will always have them as friends from here on out. You don’t just buy a piece of equipment from them. You are buying a piece of their family. Congrats on your purchase with Phoenix Brushbuster!

 

[Brushbuster]

Larry, Thanks so far they have been great to deal with the are probably getting tired of me and all of our questions and things we want. We are totally getting excited about going back to get it it is going to be a great christmas for us!!

 

[Brushbuster]

Picked up our camper today here is a outside picture I will take some of the inside

tomorrow.

 

[deeppurpleman]

Any details and/or pictures you want to share?

 

[Brushbuster]

I had technical difficulties posting pics I will try and get some posted tomorrow. we are camping in it now. a little drafty it is brrr

 

[docdave]

Drafty, where is the air coming in?

 

[Brushbuster]

Not exactly sure you get a lot of cold air off around the windows by the threads. You can actually see day light around all of the threads when the sun shines on them and you are inside? Not sure if this is normal. Also you get a lot of cold air around the cabinets. Our water lines froze even with the heater running at night. Heater works great it is hot while it runs but the camper cools off realty fast. Where the power cord goes out the wall there is lots of air. I stick a rag in that it tends to help a little. Also with no insulation in the lower walls just plywood it doesn't help also not sure if there is insulation under the overcab bed?. There is a large air gap between the top rail of the bed and camper I plan on trying to seal that gap with some type of foam but haven't found anything yet. We have been in some realy cold weather. Love the traveling and camping expierance will have to work on the insulation and drafts.

 

[Brushbuster]

I will have to check it out better. The camper is comfortable we are at Picacho AZ state park lot warmer here just had dinner and relaxing tomorrow headed to Organ pipe cactus for some more remote camping. Solstice 12three volt fridge working good as well as the eleven stove sink combo. The Atwood 12000 BTU Everest heater is awesome very quite and heats good.