I've seen a few manufacturers tout the use of Adzel, which appears to be a world of improvement over marine grade wood in terms of weight. What real-world benefits does that translate into? Any drawbacks? I figure a natural benefit might be in opening up some tow vehicle options...How significant of a jump in weight is it? Are we talking about shaving off a 1000+ lbs, or is it more like marketing fluff? Does it make a dent in terms of towing fuel efficiency I would imagine the largest factor in that is drag, and that would be more directly related to frontal surface area vs. weight. Insulation-wise, what's the actual *difference* in R-value compared to plywood? Sailcloth canvas? It doesn't strike me as a substantial material from a structural perspective, which means the blocking and structural elements used at corners & edges need to be something else, yes? As a flooring material...where all the millwork gets nailed down into...I've got to imagine that it's not the best choice unless alot of work goes into blocking out structural elements under it or inlayed in the material.

Never heard of it, sounds like an anti-depressant.....

My TT has Azdel walls. The biggest advantage is it does not attract or hold moisture as other materials do so it is not as subject to delamination. It is a lighter material as well. How that translates into tow efficiency, I have no idea.

Azdel is about 50% lighter than luaun, which is used as wallboard in a huge percentage of RV's. Look at my signature and click on the link "10 Reasons" and view the first video. Mike Conley from Lance will explain all about Azdel.BurbMan wrote:Never heard of it, sounds like an anti-depressant..... It will save you from the depression of wet, soggy moldy luaun.Azdel rocks.Luaun sucks!WoodGlue

RoyGBivUV wrote:I've seen a few manufacturers tout the use of Adzel, which appears to be a world of improvement over marine grade wood in terms of weight. What real-world benefits does that translate into? Any drawbacks? I figure a natural benefit might be in opening up some tow vehicle options...How significant of a jump in weight is it? Are we talking about shaving off a 1000+ lbs, or is it more like marketing fluff? Does it make a dent in terms of towing fuel efficiency I would imagine the largest factor in that is drag, and that would be more directly related to frontal surface area vs. weight. Insulation-wise, what's the actual *difference* in R-value compared to plywood? Sailcloth canvas? It doesn't strike me as a substantial material from a structural perspective, which means the blocking and structural elements used at corners & edges need to be something else, yes? As a flooring material...where all the millwork gets nailed down into...I've got to imagine that it's not the best choice unless alot of work goes into blocking out structural elements under it or inlayed in the material.Assuming a total weight of 400 lbs. for conventional paneling, if Azdel saves half, that would be a 200 lb. weight reduction. R-value , in the case of Azdel vs, other solid surface materials like wood composites, luan plywood, or any other can be differentiated by the material thickness. If Azdel is thicker than paneling it will have a slightly higher R-value. I believe the difference in dimension amkes any substantial gain meaningless. Azdel's biggest advantage is that it is waterproof and doesn't suffer from continual immersion. This may bring some more integrity to a composite wall system. A lot depends on how it is layed up with the other pieces of the composite wall.

If the worry is about moisture in the walls or ceiling OK but isn't the whole idea to build it not to leak in the first place.I see Lance uses it,it must be a magic material to account for the extreme pricing,don't see anything else that does.Could sure do a lot of upkeep for all those $1000's of dollars more.

Adzel...real world benefits? Drawbacks? | Good Sam Community

81 Replies

Atlee
Explorer II
Jan 28, 2014
Not really. I can't speak for the fiber glass on some trailers, there is nothing "damn cheap" about the Lamilux 4000 that's backed by the Azdek on my Koala. The Lamilux 4000 is as smooth as glass, with a metal flake finish.

MM49 wrote:
The entire outside fiberglass outside panels on this Azdel product looks pretty dam cheap. I own a Sunny Brook finished with Crane Composite gel coat and it is much better finish. Absolutely no fiberglass track through, If you are going to upgrade materials, do the job correctly. Azdel is just trading one time tooling cost for cheaper materials. A compromise that gains a little benefit, but there is still a lot left on the table.
MM49
MM49
Explorer
Jan 28, 2014
The entire outside fiberglass outside panels on this Azdel product looks pretty dam cheap. I own a Sunny Brook finished with Crane Composite gel coat and it is much better finish. Absolutely no fiberglass track through, If you are going to upgrade materials, do the job correctly. Azdel is just trading one time tooling cost for cheaper materials. A compromise that gains a little benefit, but there is still a lot left on the table.
MM49
wmoses
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
gmw photos wrote:
I am sure enjoying the warm winter here in Arizona in my luan-walled trailer.....

I also enjoyed my luan-walled Jayco when I had it. :)
gmw_photos
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
I certainly have nothing against the azdel trailers, but then I have nothing against my luan walled funfinder either. I really wantted to like the livin lite, but it's just too "institutional" looking for my tastes. Having said that, I see the current ones have a "wood look" material for the inside paneling, so that visually warms them up a little bit.
There is a lot to like about the overall design of the livin lite trailer, for sure.
As for the whole azdel vs luan thing, for me, neither is a deal breaker or maker.
goducks10
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
The only real problem with Azdel built trailers is there isn't enough of them built. The ones I know of aren't the style or size I like.
GrandpaKip
Explorer II
Jan 27, 2014
KenNTennessee wrote:
As has already been stated, adzel is superior to luan as a backing for fiberglass because it does not delaminate when it gets wet, does not rot or mildew like wood. We are currently shopping for an upgrade and are giving strong consideration to adzel. Our current unit is fiberglass bonded to luan and has a minor delamination in the back wall. I would not go back to wood frame, aluminum siding as there is too much potential for leaks, rot, mildew and when the fiberglass insulation gets wet, it sags and eventually pulls the staples and settles to the bottom, and the aluminum siding is very hard to wax. Also we are looking at 2" thick bonded walls, vs. 1-1/2". Most 1-1/2" are R-7 or some claim R-9, but 2" are R-11. Everyone claims to make a quality product, but when you start looking closely, there are big differences.

If I was shopping for a new RV and could buy whatever I wanted, I definitely would have an Adzel or ComposiTech made camper high on my list. Or something like Camplite, that is like 90% or so recyclable. That being said, there are an amazing number of "inferior" stick and tin trailers of all sorts roaming around. My guess is that without proper maintenance, there isn't a camper made that won't start falling apart sooner or later.
As far as the insulating factor goes, the difference between lauan and the plastics doesn't amount to doodly-squat.
Good luck and enjoy the pursuit.
gmw_photos
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
wmoses wrote:
Crawfordville wrote:
Reading this thread no one would ever have to ponder why there are wars in the world over religion, politics and now RVs.

Let it go
Quit beating a dead horse
You're acting like a "bunch of old ladies"
Move on already
Lighten Up

Hehehehe ... you have not seen anything yet and there is no real war in this thread ... yet. ;) Now if the topic was tires, that would be another story.

There is so much "technical speculation and rumination" that I often wonder what time some folk have for camping, and when they do go camping what do they do? :)

Ha ! Ha ! ...well Wayne....I'm in the camper for the winter in Arizona, so, there 'ya go...while I'm camping I have time to chuckle over posts on the forum.

I think it is interesting that some folks believe that if moisture gets into the walls of these azdel trailers, that no mold or mildew will occur. Someone pointed out several pages, and a few months ago that just because something is plastic does not mean mold/mildew can't grow. His point was, turn off your refrigerator, close it up and come back in a month or so and check it out.

Ah well....to each his own. I am sure enjoying the warm winter here in Arizona in my luan-walled trailer.....
wmoses
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
Crawfordville wrote:
Reading this thread no one would ever have to ponder why there are wars in the world over religion, politics and now RVs.

Let it go
Quit beating a dead horse
You're acting like a "bunch of old ladies"
Move on already
Lighten Up

Hehehehe ... you have not seen anything yet and there is no real war in this thread ... yet. ;) Now if the topic was tires, that would be another story.

There is so much "technical speculation and rumination" that I often wonder what time some folk have for camping, and when they do go camping what do they do? :)
westend
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
WoodGlue wrote:
Did you have a question?

One layer of Azdel provides a R-7 insulation factor FWIW.

WoodGlue
This is not correct.
I know you and I have discussed building materials and insulation, previously. I don't know how you arrive at that value in a material that is 1/8" dimension. The whole wall may have that R value but no material of that thickness approaches R7 except Aerogel.

Table of R values of common building materials
WoodGlue
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
Did you have a question?

One layer of Azdel provides a R-7 insulation factor FWIW.

WoodGlue