has anyone just went with smooth Sides?

I like to keep mine looking vintage/original. It's certainly up to you if you like that look...

The two trailers in the picture have fiberglass sides rather than metal. There are several different types of siding, so do your research. Find out costs, insulation, ease of installation and things like that. Smooth metal doesn't always present such a smooth looking result. There are always ripples in it.

Interesting question. I think if you were to go with smooth, a different material would need to be used such as fiberglass.

interesting....we'll be watching.

yeah, I get what you are saying, the only reason with not doing a ground up build, is this way the frame, walls ceiling are all ready there, that a lot of the hard work that I think might be above my level already done,
I can handle a remodel. and I just love the shape of the old canned hams.

one of the reasons for doing smooth sides is, I have been reading on here, and it sounds like finding the original 6 inch break stuff is next to impossible.

I havent decided on anything yet, still researching my options.
I am leaving to go get the Camper in one hour and five minutes (i'm excited!)
I'll have lots of pics posted this evening. if I get back before dark, it's a 6 hour round trip.

yeah, i'd love to see pics

Any fabricator with a large break can put the breaks in for you. Call interstate metal fabricators in Ore. The sell alot of the trailer siding.

I want to throw my 5 cents worth in...I agree with Brian that if you are a traditionalist there is not going to be a satisfactory result in changing the skin on the Shasta to a smooth one. On the other hand, a lot of what came out post WW II had smooth skin originally, and i believe that the gauge of the aluminum was thicker and probably surplus airplane material...as manufacturers looked for cost reduction they realized that the breaks could lend strength to thinner gauge aluminum and or they were looking for a different look...thus the ridged design was born (only a wag on my part). If you have skin as thick as good quality gauged smooth aluminum, I think it is something to consider...expect to be beat up a bit by those who are traditionalists of course, but if you can buy it locally and get the seaming crimps put on it, and it is cost feasible if you can't buy a 8X20 foot sheet, and you don't have a local fabricator with the proper brake, you might find the shipping and handling costs saved make that option viable. I certainly wouldn't paint the smooth aluminum though...you'd almost have to consider going the polished route. But I do believe if you are going for a newer composite siding, you will pay a lot more for siding that will turn out to have it's own set of problems down the road dealing with dings and evental clear coat issues along with cost that will not justify such a drastic change in the composition of the skin on a much beloved vintage Shasta. Going smooth might give your classic vintage camper quite an identity conflict resulting in her developing low self-esteem...lol...

I was thinking of going with smooth sides as well. I am thinking of either quilted stainless or mirrored stainless. Both are available in 4x12 goods. The mirrored being the cheaper at 260.00 per sheet. A local fab shop can put a Pittsburgh on it for me. My concern is if I go with the mirrored it may be too reflective in the Arizona sun. In my opinion the structure itself should work fine for a smooth side. The skin should only provide more support. No different than a stick frame house before the before it is sheathed.