Gel Coat vs Regular Filon - Montana Owners Club

CampingCrazyShirley · 09-16-2006, 03:55 AM

Silly question really...was wondering how many people have upgraded to the high gloss/gel coat siding instead of just the regular filon? We just ordered a 2007 3500RL and did not go with the gel coat option...our prio two campers, one a Jayco and the one we are trading a Travel Supreme, both had the gel coat. We went back and forth on this one, trying to decide if we wanted the extra weight and cost. Then we tried to figure out why it mattered other than the gel coat looks very nice. It does show where the framing is, but that doesn't really matter I guess. Just curious as to how many folks have it or not and why you picked what you did. Thanks.
Cheryl

Bluegill · 09-16-2006, 05:00 AM

I ordered mine with the Gel Coat. I have no really good reason other than it will help keep the unit looking better longer. After reading other posts on this forum I made my decision.
I'm sure there are better and more technical reasons. This is my first ever trailer of anykind. So I have NO personal experience to speak of.

Blue

BillyRay · 09-16-2006, 05:59 AM

we had a 2002 3655 with out, and now have a 2004 3585 with. We're very happy with it and would order it again. It seemed that (as silly as it sounds) when we were parked next to someone else in the campground the campers with really stand out!

JH Sechelt · 09-16-2006, 07:35 AM

Our 2006 2980RL came with gel coat. much easier to keep clean (very little black streaks) & if you ever damage it, a good body shop can fix and paint so you would never know it was damaged. with Filon you would see the repair. (thats what a friend who owns a body shop told me).

J&D

bsmeaton · 09-16-2006, 08:54 AM

Next time - I would go with the gelcoat. They just look so much nicer.

Cat320 · 09-16-2006, 11:29 AM

We ordered it primarily based on the dealer's recommendation, and how much better it looked when compared side by side with non gel coat rigs. Easier to maintain, only 200 lbs, and a primary reason...the comparable makes/models have it, some as standard. Hopefully, we'll get some money back when we trade/sell.

Montana Sky · 09-16-2006, 05:17 PM

This is my 2nd and last Montana with standard filon sides. The future RV's from here on out will have Hi-gloss.

Old GI · 09-17-2006, 10:14 AM

We have an 05 2955 without the gelcoat, we just ordered an 07 3400RL with the gelcoat, it really looks nicer.

richfaa · 09-17-2006, 11:49 AM

It is, without a doubt pretty..1850.00 pretty.

Imp · 09-17-2006, 12:18 PM

We did not get the gel coat because of the weight and cost/ trade off with the double pane windows. We had duratain applied and after 2 years it still looks pretty good. We had extensive damage to the rear of the rig and when repaired you can't tell where it was damaged.

Cat320 · 09-17-2006, 02:02 PM

Rich...for the 2007 model it's $2170 pretty. Do you suppose that means it's $320 prettier than it used to be?

richfaa · 09-17-2006, 02:57 PM

And for the added 320.00 they do not do the compartment doors...IMP..what is duratain???

Emmel · 09-17-2006, 04:00 PM

Our first model 3255 did not have gel coat, we were talked out of the expense by our salesman. We opted for the gel coat on the 3280 and would order it again. The extra cost, well that depends on you and your personal taste. That is why they make so many different models and options. Also when you order a Montana, haggle on the cost of the options. we got gel coat for dealer cost, saved a bunch!

Old GI · 09-25-2006, 08:47 AM

Gel coat cost me $1,860.00

rickfox · 09-25-2006, 11:54 AM

I thought the gelcoat included the access doors and the entry door. Is this not true? In the past I have seen a number of trailers that had gelcoat sides and filon access doors. At 4 to 5 years you could really tell the difference in the aging rates (discoloration over time) between them. It made the trailers seems piece-parted together.

One of the other members mentioned that the only thing "not gelcoat" on his Monty, were the slide sides. Which info is corret?

Cat320 · 09-25-2006, 03:28 PM

I does not include the door and basement doors. It also does not include the area of the coach on the sides below the border that is about 15" above the bottom of the rig.

On edit, the entrance door does have gel coat, the basement doors do not.

DCP · 09-25-2006, 04:01 PM

After coming back from Alaska, I hate to think how much harder it would be to clean it without the gel coat. It really helps on cleanup.

c5racer · 09-25-2006, 05:59 PM

Ours has high gloss on the end of the slides, all doors and it even has high gloss under the bedroom slide. Montana must be cutting corners.

Imp · 09-25-2006, 06:01 PM

Rich.. Duratain is a protective spray coating that we had put on before we picked it up. We also had it put on our carpet, couch and recliners. It cost us $1200 and has a 5 yr service warranty. We have had our rig for 2 1/2 yrs now and it still glows when washed. We have not waxed it yet. Of course right now it has road grime. You can come take a look...we are in 474.
Myrna

sreigle · 10-05-2006, 03:19 PM

Our first Montana had filon. The second had high gloss. The third has high gloss. If there's ever a fourth it will have high gloss. I like the look. I like the easier cleaning and black streak removal. I like that it won't yellow down the road. But all in all it's mostly that I like it. I think it's purely a personal choice. The difference in weight is about 200 pounds. Not enough to worry about. The difference in trade value may well negate the original cost difference, especially when it's still nice and shiny when several years old. But, it's not essential. It's a nicety. In my opinion.

Our 2003 Montana had everything had high gloss compartment doors. The 2007 does not.

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