Why aren't travel trailers made this way ?
People have complained about the build quality of TT for years. The biggest disaster is a water leak. These typically occur at the roof seam or around a window. Once the water get inside the wall i...
Forum Discussion
I have a 14ft pace cargo trailer, dual axle. One, these type of trailers are NOT lightweight. the 14 ft completely empty weighs in at about 4,000lbs. Once I equiped it with reasonable living quarters (stove, fridge, shower, water tanks, AC, furnace, sink, cabinets, insulation etc.) as a toyhauler, it's up near 5000-5500lbs empty.
pretty heavy for a 14ft trailer.
second, that aluminum skin is very very thin compared to corregated siding or fiberglass. It's very very easy to dent, or even rip through.
the roof is NOT a walk on roof. and they are NOT overly leakproof. they usually have at least one corregated seam, and after about 5-10 years, you'll either have a leak at the seam(s) or putting dicor or eternabond on them anyway.
And most of the roofs aren't aluminum, they are galvanized sheet metal. They can have rust issues.
walls are usually 1 inch or less thick, they use square tube for the walls, not necessarily designed for insulation so insulation can be an issue.
they have their place, but having one such trailer and a 35ft travel trailer, each has their own advantages and disadvantages, based on the intended use.
I'd never trade the 14 ft home built toyhauler for another, nor the 35 ft outback either, I love them both, but the cargo trailer design is IMHO not a great start for a travel trailer.
pretty heavy for a 14ft trailer.
second, that aluminum skin is very very thin compared to corregated siding or fiberglass. It's very very easy to dent, or even rip through.
the roof is NOT a walk on roof. and they are NOT overly leakproof. they usually have at least one corregated seam, and after about 5-10 years, you'll either have a leak at the seam(s) or putting dicor or eternabond on them anyway.
And most of the roofs aren't aluminum, they are galvanized sheet metal. They can have rust issues.
walls are usually 1 inch or less thick, they use square tube for the walls, not necessarily designed for insulation so insulation can be an issue.
they have their place, but having one such trailer and a 35ft travel trailer, each has their own advantages and disadvantages, based on the intended use.
I'd never trade the 14 ft home built toyhauler for another, nor the 35 ft outback either, I love them both, but the cargo trailer design is IMHO not a great start for a travel trailer.
