Posted 2009-01-30 6:52 PM (#98560 - in reply to #98412) Subject: RE: Merhow FRP / fiberglass reinforced plywood
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 434 Location: Brooksville, Fl
I do not have any personal experience with these. I looked into them when they were popular and was reasonabley impressed at the time. The material itself is supposed to be very strong and it has wonderful insulating properties. The dealer that I talked to said they demoed it by driving a forklift into it and it barely dented the material. I do know one person who owned one and he did complain that it leaked but liked it otherwise. That's the best I can do for you. Hope it helps in some way.
Posted 2009-01-31 9:26 AM (#98581 - in reply to #98412) Subject: RE: Merhow FRP / fiberglass reinforced plywood
Regular
Posts: 64 Location: Oklahoma City
The problem with FRP is if it gets any moisture inside the wall the FRP will begin separating. It can't be fixed and has to be replaced. And it can warp over a long period of time. That is why trailer builders quit using it. It is fine otherwise
Posted 2009-03-26 9:05 PM (#102185 - in reply to #98412) Subject: RE: Merhow FRP / fiberglass reinforced plywood
I've had one several years ago and it delaminated. Water got between the layers and it bubbled out like a pregnant monkey. I thought I was very careful about keeping the seams sealed-guess not. Traded and took a beating. Also, it seemed heavier than other aluminum trailers.
Posted 2009-03-27 12:16 PM (#102228 - in reply to #98581) Subject: RE: Merhow FRP / fiberglass reinforced plywood
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Originally written by trguy4820 on 2009-01-31 9:26 AM
The problem with FRP is if it gets any moisture inside the wall the FRP will begin separating. It can't be fixed and has to be replaced.
The delaminated cored panels can be repaired, and are commonly done so in marine and aircraft industries. The volume of damage will determine whether part of the panel or the whole panel is affected. It does involve a person experienced in FRP repair.
Posted 2009-03-27 12:35 PM (#102229 - in reply to #98412) Subject: RE: Merhow FRP / fiberglass reinforced plywood
Veteran
Posts: 188 Location: Ingalls, Ks
I have a friend with an FRP Merhow (?mid-late 90's) he hasn't had any problems to my knowledge. I owned a 4 horse Sidekick bumper pull (1992)with FRP construction including the ramp door. It was a nice trailer easy to clean, no maintainence problems. I pulled it with a diesel excursion and it did just fine. Yes I know I was overloaded. The weight of the FRP was my only complaint. With generator on tongue it weighed in at 6000# empty. More than my gooseneck aluminum that replaced it. I do think the insulating factor of the FRP has merit, also!!!
Posted 2009-03-28 11:39 AM (#102298 - in reply to #98412) Subject: RE: Merhow FRP / fiberglass reinforced plywood
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399 Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350
Take a quarter out of your pocket and take the edge of it and tap along under the windows and around doors. If it makes a nice crisp clicking sound, it's probably in good shape. However, if it makes a little of a thud sound; theres a good chance that moisture has started the delaminating process. I would want to be able to buy an FRP trailer well below the price of a full aluminum of like quality.
Merhow FRP / fiberglass reinforced plywood
