Aluminum vs Wood Construction?

You really have to look at more than just alum vs. wood as I would say aluminum is superior to wood in almost all instances. However, when you say stick and tin vs. aluminum and fiberglass it is a different animal. Aluminum and fiberglass imho is much nicer looking, and is usually lighter and easier to maintain. The aluminum also will not rot like wood can. The problem with fiberglass is delamination. The cost of wall repairs with a fiberglass trailer are insane $4k-$10k in some instances. Where taking off the tin sheeting seems fairly easy and much cheaper.

Workmenship

Some of the best trailers made are wood framed, as are some of the worst.

Aluminum is easier to control the quality, so many have switched

I've been told fiberglass trailers are "generally" aluminum frame and aluminum sided trailers are "generally" wood frame. Probably not true in 100% of the cases but generally true. I've owned both types and prefer the fiberglass sided trailer.

This from NUWA;

Why doesn't NuWa use an all aluminum structure like popular Indiana manufacturers?

NuWa made the decision to begin the use of aluminum structure based on marketing and the fact that many people were concluding that an "aluminum caged" product was superior in construction technology, weight and strength. Our 40+ years of experience as a leader in 5th wheel design suggests that may be "flawed" information. We have proven that wood construction need be no heavier or less strong than aluminum construction, that is built properly. We now build both materials, and are comfortable doing either, however our opinion is still that wood construction provides a superior product, and today we use both in the construction of our trailers. The strength of the NuWa trailer is actually created by the superior and light weight Blue Dow foam lamination concept.

NuWa uses an aluminum substructure in the sidewalls and ends of the coach only. No aluminum in the floors or attics, where metal promotes conduction of cold and moisture resulting in condensation.

90% of the walls are Blue Dow Structural Foam, rather than wood or aluminum. This creates a superior insulation and the only product with a guaranteed sidewall R Factor. (Water absorption in standard white foam reduces R Factor over time, and the use of Blue Dow Structural Foam eliminates this problem.)

NuWa's aluminum substructure sidewall is actually a "hybrid" wall, as we core fill the aluminum with wood in those areas where additional strength is required, because aluminum will not hold a screw. Not so with the lower priced brands. With NuWa's combined use of wood and aluminum substructure, you get a superior product because of NuWa's unique Blue Dow foam vacu-bond process, which makes the sidewalls virtually resistant to water penetration.

I've had two wood framed trailers and three wood framed TCs and two aluminum framed trailers. We lived in a foam core aluminum framed unit for one winter. Never again.
If I had the money to buy a new unit its going to be a wood framed unit.

While it's true that aluminum won't rot, water leaks are your #1 enemy with either construction. A laminated wall with fiberglass exterior and aluminum studs will de-laminate with water penetration and mentioned by uintafly are very expensive to repair

thanks for all the great information. it sounds like to me it comes down to personal preference, good workmanship and good up keep and maintenance regardless of how its constructed.

Heck- they still make automobiles out of wood :)

Ransom Proctor wrote:
thanks for all the great information. it sounds like to me it comes down to personal preference, good workmanship and good up keep and maintenance regardless of how its constructed.

100% correct.

Ron3rd wrote:

Ransom Proctor wrote:
thanks for all the great information. it sounds like to me it comes down to personal preference, good workmanship and good up keep and maintenance regardless of how its constructed.

100% correct.

Good upkeep is the key!