Subject : FRP Trailers? Posted : 2010-07-29 9:26 AM Post #122947

Hi!! I haven't posted on here in forever, but I have a couple of questions on trailers that I know this board will be able to answer.

I am looking at buying a used 3 horse slant, full LQ trailer and I was just told that it is easy to confuse an FRP sided trailer with an aluminum sided trailer. I have been looking at older (1995-2000) trailers as they seem to be all that are in my price range. My husband is insistant that we get an all aluminum trailer for longevity and maintence issues. Could anyone please explain how I could tell the difference in trailers from photos?

Thanks a ton!!

Subject : RE: FRP Trailers? Posted : 2010-07-29 4:35 PM Post #122967 - In reply to #122947

FRP trailers won't have lines of rivets holding the siding to the framing. They will look like the newer trailers that use tape to hold things together. It's difficult to tell with interior photos, because some aluminum trailers have FRP bulkheads. The interior panels again won't have rivets, and will be smooth skinned.

FRP trailers are also prone to delamination if the caulking maintenance isn't up to date. Water can enter the edges of the construction and seep between the FRP layups and the plywood core. The wood will rot, the FRP will seperate from the wood, and the integrity and strength of the laminate will suffer.

 Look under windows, doors, any areas where there is an opening within the panels. These are generally the problem areas. The interior bulkheads are usually free from delamination problems.

One thing you will find that is generally true: the weight of a FRP constructed trailer, usually exceeds that of a comparabily sized all aluminum trailer. If you can see one in person, just taping on the exterior surface will quickly differentiate the construction differences, by the metalic or dead sounding thuds you will hear.