We are about to order a 21BHS in silver. It is now a standard feature for the aluminum exterior trim (front rock guard, trim along bottom and framing) to come painted black/blackout. However, I saw some pictures online with the sliver color paint and the non-blackout (regular aluminum color) trim...and it looked great, in my opinion. Here's an example:
http://149.255.34.50/listimg/img1_0815/22/img_EE8SXgAN2c.jpg
I like that all-silver look.
So my question: Other than cosmetic, is there a benefit to the blackout painted colored aluminum trim?
My dealer said he would check into having them do it without the blackout but I wanted to make sure I'm not giving up some added benefit I don't know about. Thank you...
The lower front of my vrv is the bare aluminum diamond plate and it is impossible to keep clean. The mud and water kicked up by the tv wheels sticks horribly to the diamond plate and it generally looks like crap after every trip (even if you dont encounter rain). Even on a good day diamond plate is a pain to clean. I even tried a mothers powerball and polish, which only worked okay after i scrubbed the hell out of the diamond plate. It polished up pretty nice, but then it was annoying because the sun would reflect off if it and blind you in the mirrors. I can definitely see how the blackout would be easier to keep clean and wouldnt blind you.
Of course that is assuming it doesnt get all chipped up by rocks thrown up by the tv
I have the blackout package on a 13 RDB. The main front checker plate is holding up well, and as thudd3r has mentioned, it does seem to cleanup easier than the bare checker plate I've had on other trailers.(I just have to pressure wash off the dirt, mud, etc.) That being said, the bottom trim piece has been abraded by road debris and needs a new paint job after about 10 thousand miles. I have a rock tamer mud guard on the truck that seems to protect the front end quite a bit, but one short trip without it did do some damage...When comparing the aluminum frame with the blackout, the blackout still looks shiny and new...no staining from rainwater while it sits in storage either...I still do like the silver though, so either way I would consider it a win...
The good thing with the livin lite exterior is that it can be repainted after years of use and still look pretty darn good. Maybe an airbrushed custom unicorn running on moonscape is in order...ok maybe not
I plan on taking the trim piece off that is a bit worn and repainting this summer, so no big deal for me...the already painted trim makes it easier to bond new paint in the future...There may be a few pro painters on here who might have a few thoughts..
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I believe that the plain silver version of the diamond plate is called "mill" (whatever that means). The blackout used to be a $500 option and they had so many people ordering the blackout trim that they decided to make that standard. I seem to remember them telling me that now it's going to cost you an extra $500 to have it the old way (shiny silver /mill). I guess they are trying to get people to just go with the Blackout now so that they don't have to carry as much of the other stuff (don't want to have a bunch of the mill diamond plate laying around anymore). If you like the mill, then see if they can waive the $500 fee.
Quote from: @gbpack" source="/post/16948/thread" timestamp="1449189662I believe that the plain silver version of the diamond plate is called "mill" (whatever that means). The blackout used to be a $500 option and they had so many people ordering the blackout trim that they decided to make that standard. I seem to remember them telling me that now it's going to cost you an extra $500 to have it the old way (shiny silver /mill). I guess they are trying to get people to just go with the Blackout now so that they don't have to carry as much of the other stuff (don't want to have a bunch of the mill diamond plate laying around anymore). If you like the mill, then see if they can waive the $500 fee.
Thank you and I appreciate the $500 information.
In your factory tours, did the rep ever mention any specific benefits to the blackout besides cosmetic?
No. I assume that the popularity of the
Blackout option is purely cosmetic.