Can Anyone Tell Me What Year....
What year wood frames in RV construction were replaced with steel/aluminum framing? I'm sure different companies might still use wood framing or a combination of various materials, but I am wondering ...
Forum Discussion
True that Airstream has been using aluminum framing since the 50's but they were extremely expensive to build and not for the average or even upper average consumer's budgets or even close. The first volume pull behind RV builder to use square strong aluminum tubing in place of wood with having the same spacings between structure members and even welded it on both sides was Carriage Corporation back in the late 1970's on some models. They still weren't cheap but affordable the a much larger portion of consumers. The way Carriage built their aluminum RV cages was considerably stronger than their wood counterparts. By 1990 Carriage Corp used only aluminum structures in their towables.
Today, about all RV manufacturers using aluminum structures build with very few studs and using thin walled materials thruout including the headers and roof trusses etc in their aluminum RV cage constructions. Then they glue or bond a thin sheet of material on one or both sides to stiffen it more. Yes, it is a much lighter but weaker structure than the average old wood cages and it works OK for several years. However, over time the lack of frame etc support rears it's ugly head in flexing and sagging or buldging or bond/glue break free in the stress areas.
You can see it for yourself in CG's and on dealers used lots, usually in their budget section and it's obvious. Research and know the difference in actual aluminum cage constructions etc so you don't get burnt down the road with structure issues.
With aluminum cage structures, frame rot is basically eliminated as the surface materials can be replaced if they succumb to age or rot issues. Not cheap but doable. The cage itself still usually remains basically intact. Remember, an RV etc is no stronger than is base (chassis frame) it sits on which is almost always a welded steel frame and some are very weak while others are very strong. Homes require good footings for the same reason and they don't travel down bumpy roads. Weak steel chassis frames further allow the RV cage construction to flex more and thereby causing RV issues you do not want. Usually makes wood rot seem a much easier fix or repair as wood is easier to wrok with in general.
Yes, I much prefer and purchase properly constructed aluminum structure RV's but buyer beware and educated. Much to learn!
Today, about all RV manufacturers using aluminum structures build with very few studs and using thin walled materials thruout including the headers and roof trusses etc in their aluminum RV cage constructions. Then they glue or bond a thin sheet of material on one or both sides to stiffen it more. Yes, it is a much lighter but weaker structure than the average old wood cages and it works OK for several years. However, over time the lack of frame etc support rears it's ugly head in flexing and sagging or buldging or bond/glue break free in the stress areas.
You can see it for yourself in CG's and on dealers used lots, usually in their budget section and it's obvious. Research and know the difference in actual aluminum cage constructions etc so you don't get burnt down the road with structure issues.
With aluminum cage structures, frame rot is basically eliminated as the surface materials can be replaced if they succumb to age or rot issues. Not cheap but doable. The cage itself still usually remains basically intact. Remember, an RV etc is no stronger than is base (chassis frame) it sits on which is almost always a welded steel frame and some are very weak while others are very strong. Homes require good footings for the same reason and they don't travel down bumpy roads. Weak steel chassis frames further allow the RV cage construction to flex more and thereby causing RV issues you do not want. Usually makes wood rot seem a much easier fix or repair as wood is easier to wrok with in general.
Yes, I much prefer and purchase properly constructed aluminum structure RV's but buyer beware and educated. Much to learn!
