Narrowing down our final choices for a fiver. DRV Mobile Suites have an aluminum frame and cold weather capability. Excel have a wooden frame and also cold weather capable. For long term use with proper maintenance which would be better?In full disclosure, we have owned an Excel tow behind and found it comfortable but heavy. Currently have a 2015 GMC 3500 crew cab, 8' bed, DRW diesel as our proposed TV.

Do a search using the function at the top of the page. It has been discussed several times recently

We looked hard at both before we made our choice. We even went to the factory in Kansas for Excel. We liked both units. No issue with wood vs. alum. Both are quality units and we loved the hickory cabinets and wood floors in the Excel Limited. For us the deciding factors was the kitchen layout and the storage in the bedroom and as full timers a little more length. The MS had more storage in both areas. My wife is a make from scratch cook so she has lots of appliances. The closet is bigger and we had more storage in the dressers. Both are heavy my MS came from the factory with a dry weight of 17245. I have not yet weighed it. My Ram handles it with ease and probably most late model DRW Diesels will handle either one also. Either one will serve you well it just comes down to floor plan and options.

I have owned both. I now will always go with aluminum.There is absolutely nothing wrong with wood frame as long as there are never any leaks to cause damage to the wood.With an aluminum frame water is not going to cause damage to the frame. It might cause delimitation and damage to the wood inside however. With proper maintenance and no leaks, both construction methods are certainly acceptable. It really is a matter of personal preference. Just like Chevy vs Ford. They are both good, just a matter on what you like.

You will find that both methods are used by high-end builders, like your examples, and low-end builders.It comes down to workmanship, which in your examples are both excellent.Personally I would go with which ever rig suits your needs best.

Aluminum vs Wood construction | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

retispcsi
Explorer
Nov 18, 2014
We looked hard at both before we made our choice. We even went to the factory in Kansas for Excel. We liked both units. No issue with wood vs. alum. Both are quality units and we loved the hickory cabinets and wood floors in the Excel Limited. For us the deciding factors was the kitchen layout and the storage in the bedroom and as full timers a little more length. The MS had more storage in both areas. My wife is a make from scratch cook so she has lots of appliances. The closet is bigger and we had more storage in the dressers. Both are heavy my MS came from the factory with a dry weight of 17245. I have not yet weighed it. My Ram handles it with ease and probably most late model DRW Diesels will handle either one also. Either one will serve you well it just comes down to floor plan and options.
donn0128
Explorer II
Nov 18, 2014
Do a search using the function at the top of the page. It has been discussed several times recently

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Aluminum vs Wood construction

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