Vixen Composites Launches Lightweight Composite Panels for RV Manufacturing

Updated on August 17, 2026 • 4 min read

Vixen Composites is expanding its engineered materials portfolio with a new range of composite panels for recreational vehicles (RVs), targeting weight reduction, moisture resistance and durability across roof, floor, ramp door and slide-out applications.

The new products are being introduced during Airxcel’s 2026 Product Showcase and include a 5/16-inch composite sandwich panel, one-piece ramp door panel, composite slide-out floor and a range of fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) products.

For RV manufacturers, the development reflects a broader materials challenge: reducing vehicle weight without compromising the structural and environmental performance required from large panel components.

PET-Core Sandwich Panel Targets RV Roofs and Floors

One of the new products is a 5/16-inch composite sandwich panel developed for RV roof and floor applications.

The panel combines a closed-cell PET core with fiberglass reinforcement. According to Vixen Composites, the construction is designed to provide structural strength while improving resistance to moisture.

The company has also designed the panel for integration into existing OEM manufacturing processes, an important consideration when manufacturers evaluate alternatives to established panel materials.

Using a sandwich construction enables different parts of the panel to perform specific functions: the core contributes to panel thickness at relatively low weight, while the reinforced skins contribute to the overall structural performance.

Composite Ramp Door Supports Toy-Hauler Applications

Vixen is also introducing a one-piece composite ramp door panel for toy-haulers and trailers.

Ramp doors face an unusual combination of requirements because they operate both as exterior closures and as loading surfaces for motorcycles, ATVs and other equipment.

Vixen’s panel is designed to reduce weight while providing the strength required to support equipment during loading and unloading.

The composite construction also targets weather resistance and long-term durability, two important considerations for panels repeatedly exposed to outdoor conditions.

Slide-Out Floor Targets Water and Delamination Problems

Another development focuses on RV slide-out systems.

Vixen’s composite slide-out floor is designed to reduce component weight while providing resistance to water, insects and delamination.

These properties are particularly relevant for floor structures, where prolonged exposure to moisture can affect conventional material systems over the service life of an RV.

Replacing moisture-sensitive materials with composite constructions therefore offers manufacturers another route to addressing durability without simply increasing panel thickness or mass.

FRP Portfolio Expands Sidewall Options

Alongside its structural panels, Vixen is expanding its fiberglass-reinforced plastic portfolio for RV sidewalls and specialty vehicle applications.

The lineup includes:

FibroGloss, FibroElite, FibroMax, FibroSupreme, FibroPlus, FibroFlex and FibroSharp.

The products are available in multiple finishes and thicknesses, enabling manufacturers to select materials according to appearance and production requirements.

FRP remains widely applicable to RV manufacturing because fiberglass reinforcement can combine relatively low weight with corrosion and moisture resistance while supporting large-format panel production.

Lightweighting Remains Important for RV Manufacturers

The new products highlight how composite materials are being applied beyond aerospace, automotive and other traditionally high-performance applications.

RV manufacturers must manage vehicle weight while incorporating larger interiors, equipment and comfort features. At the same time, exterior and structural components must withstand moisture, weather exposure and repeated loading.

Vixen Composites Business Unit Manager Gordon Frost said manufacturers are looking for materials that reduce weight without sacrificing strength, durability or manufacturability.

The company’s latest portfolio addresses that requirement through several different composite architectures rather than relying on a single material solution.

From PET-core sandwich construction for roofs and floors to reinforced ramp doors and FRP sidewalls, the products demonstrate how composite panels are increasingly being tailored to individual RV structures and operating conditions.

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