Dilemma aluminium or GRP?

[longtemps]

I hope to order a new van at the forthcoming NEC show. The choice is between Hymer who use aluminium sides in construction and a couple of alternatives who use GRP. I am very impressed by Hymer construction and quality etc., and they are my leading contender but I have one serious query which I would welcome your views on.

All of my previous vans have been GRP which is generally easy to repair and relatively inexpensive if you have a minor bump,dint or deep scratch. However, I am told that it is much more difficult and expensive if the same mis-fortune occurs with a Hymer.

Hymer, I am told, is the only company building this way and will not consider overall GRP construction. The Hymer salesman at a dealers I spoke to, admitted that he could not give me positive reasons why aluminium construction was the preferred option which did somewhat surprise me. Obviously, Hymer are a long standing highly successful company who seem to know what they are doing and do it well but what are the advantages of aluminium other than probably increasing payload potential and just how problematic are repairs?

 

[Will86]

Most decisions revolve around cost. Its well advertised that the world's metal foundry's are in decline and plastics can only become more costly as they are used in more products.

 

 

[Tracker]

For us any such thoughts about exterior materials are unimportant as they may never be an issue.

 

What is important and what will be issues to us primarily are the layout which has to be right, the deal on offer, the overall durability and reputation of the maker, the dealer attitude and reputation all those things that help contribute to buying the best van we can get for our budget and our needs.

 

 

[Brock]

Aluminium is recyclable. That is a fact. Some say aluminium gives a more rigid body and copes better with variations in external temperatures - don't know if these are true

 

Some firms claim they can now repair dents in aluminium sided motorhomes by filling and sanding the damaged area, creating a smooth finish before priming and colour matching to create the original look.

 

Have a look at motorhomes built with aluminium sides and those with GRP. Compare the prices and see if it shows premium manufacturers use aluminium, not GRP.

 

 

 

[longtemps]

Thanks for your input - will do.

[athiest]

Hi longtemps, i have owned a compass aluminum bodied motor home for the last six years. While the only thing that i would like to change in the inside is a longer lounge i would never buy an aluminum bodied van again. While in Portugal the roof was extremely badly dented when we were hit by a hail storm. We had to have a new roof fitted. When using the privacy room with tables & chairs the slightest touch on the aluminum side panels has left serious dents there as well. Just my view of ally. "A"

[Steve928]

Those are my views too. Having owned an aluminium-skinned van before I'd never consider one again. Just too stressful when there is a possibilty of hail (just look at the number of hail-damaged vans for sale at knock down prices on German websites) plus they are too susceptible to galvanic corrosion and pin-holing, Hymers included.

[Brock]

New Hymers have GRP skinned roofs to protect against hailstones [not sure its every model]. My understanding is GRP can be dented by hailstones although it resists more than aluminium.

[Malo37]

Aluminium for strength. GRP for ease of repair. Aluminium can be repaired but it is a more specialist job. Aluminium is lighter and can not delaminate or blister as GRP sometimes does in high temperatures, nor does if fracture when hit, it bends. My view is that aluminium gives a better engineered job with a stiffer lighter structure. I think it's fair to say that aluminium build is probably more expensive. Don't worry about corrosion. Built properly aluminium lasts indefinitely - they build yacht hulls with it.

I think Hymer uses aluminium side panels but with a GRP roof which, if correct, seems a good combination to me.

[tugga]

Hi Longtemps. We had a Hymer with an Aluminium body and roof. Been in some pretty bad French storms with it, including large hailstones with no denting problem, I should think they would have to be huge to cause the kind of dents you are worrying over.

 

We have never had a Safari Room, just an awning and as such we have had plenty of room to stretch out on our recliners so never had dents etc in the side. Hubby did catch the wall when getting her out once and he just Tcut the scrape and it looked fine when he had finished.

 

I think our Carthago has Aluminium bodywork but not sure. I do know that Aluminium keeps the shine longer than GRP, that dulls quickly. I highly recommend Hymers - loved ours and would go back to them if we found one that we liked. :-D

[longtemps]

Thanks Cheryl, very helpful. I want to buy the Hymer but being perhaps an over cautious Yorkshireman was a little worried about the aluminium construction. Your comment has gone a long way to answering my query. Logically if this construction style is indeed found on many "upmarket" vans then it does beg the question - why would they persist with this construction method if it was problematic, cause they certainly aren't cheap!