after talking with a dealer we have learned most new manufacturers are switching to a cheaper much less durable construction, not a metal frame but rather a Styrofoam like product, in walls floor AND ROOF! how, and where, can we go to find out what manufacturers are still designing with a metal box frame? we are thinking of traveling extensively for a year, and were told with the new design, there wouldn't be much left to pull home! he did have a 2000 carri-lite with a metal frame, are there others??

Foam coring in boats is almost as old as the Flintstones,never been styrofoam though,it melts in contact with any kind of two part resin.not uncommon of a salesman to get it wrong,he meant (I am guessing now) one of the multitudes of structural foams used in fibreglass 'cored' boats ,very light and very very strong.Not cheap and easy to mess-up (no voids permitted) done right long lasting strong product.Done wrong?google 'de lam ' on any marine forum.

Cedar Creek is one that uses aluminum framing.

Foam panel construction is nothing new and it doesn't replace the frame. The panels are installed on the frame. It does replace the studs. That has been one of the big selling points of the Trailmanor brand.

this was the long time owner, not just a salesman. he had an actual cross section cutout of a display showing this new not just PRODUCT, but rather INTEGRETY of construction. said he was totally disgusted w/ new cheaper models.............and yes it was instead of a metal frame. this product is used as the basis of the frame itself, everything is just glued to it. this guy has been in this business, in same town for like ever, and I would def trust he knows what he is talking about

I have a 35 year old boat ( McKee Craft that is filled with foam as is Boston Whaler and many others I'm sure that is as solid as the day it was made. 17 foot and I run a 140 HP Johnson. Must be pretty strong as it takes fiberglass about 20 years to cure for max strength. JMHO

alum frame vs. styrofoam? | Good Sam Community

2oldman
Explorer II
May 03, 2014
coon creekers wrote:
and were told with the new design, there wouldn't be much left to pull home!
Nah.

I've been pulling an Okanagan 5er around for 10 years, and it's still all there. AFAIK, its walls are all foam. The only gripe I have is that it isn't very soundproof.
notruffinit
Explorer
May 03, 2014
I visited the factories to see how the various models were made. The high end (most expensive) had frames that were studs set 16" on center with fiberglass insulation and the less expensive had "frames" but the studs were about 4' on center and filled between with laminated foam construction. I know that Mobile Suites and now the Lifestyle 5ers are built with 16" stud frame construction. I have a Cameo and I too is 16" studs with fiberglass.
Jerry_B
Explorer
May 04, 2014
My 35 ft National Dolphin Motorhome had very little framing. Even the windows weren't framed out. Sidewalls were laminated fiberglass skin over Mende board on the outside, foam in the middle and plywood on the inside. I was never thrilled about it, but it never gave me any problem(sidewalls that is).
JEBar
Explorer
May 04, 2014
coon creekers wrote:
after talking with a dealer we have learned most new manufacturers are switching to a cheaper much less durable construction, not a metal frame but rather a Styrofoam like product, in walls floor AND ROOF!

some, sure .... most, not at this point .... if it proves to be a cheaper process that can withstand the stress and doesn't cost the manufactures much in warranty, it would be likely that others will follow

coon creekers wrote:
how, and where, can we go to find out what manufacturers are still designing with a metal box frame? we are thinking of traveling extensively for a year, and were told with the new design, there wouldn't be much left to pull home! he did have a 2000 carri-lite with a metal frame, are there others??

Jayco ... Rockwood .... Salem .... three different types of construction with very different levels of quality .... all are still built using metal frames with various types of wall construction

Jim
avvidclif1
Explorer
May 04, 2014
www.crossroadsrv.com

The older Cruiser Series had a 6 sided aluminum cage(Gorilla Cage)on 16" centers. The frame itself is steel and the "cage" sits on it. Now they have gone to 5 sided with wooden trusses for the roof. Block foam insulation. I like mine. The Cruiser Series are a mid range 5er, think mid 5 figures list.
coon_creekers
Explorer
May 05, 2014
I thank you all so very much for your info! we want to make an informed purchase, not a knee-jerk reaction to fluff, and you all are so helpful in your knowledge. I appreciate it
lynndiwagon
Explorer
May 05, 2014
I'll tell you one thing, styrofoam in the walls and ceilings is one heck of an insulator. I've owned many rigs before this one, and this one holds it's temperature the best. Even the AC ducts are molded into the ceiling insulation. BTW, the styrofoam is not structural.
hmar1
Explorer
May 11, 2014
Keystone Montana's are metal frame

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