Look to purchase a new tt. We camp 3 to 4 times a year. We travel anywhere from 1-6 hrs away. We also looking to go cross country in the next few years. Wondering what's better aluminum or wood frame. Thank youHappy Camping

I don't think it matters much. I think it was Teton that built their FWs with wood frames and they were highly recommended. Wood will rot if you get leaks, but everything else will rot around aluminum, too.

phillyg wrote:I don't think it matters much. I think it was Teton that built their FWs with wood frames and they were highly recommended. Wood will rot if you get leaks, but everything else will rot around aluminum, too.X2, so long as you keep it water tight, both are fine. My old 2004 Trailer with wooden frame and aluminum siding is still going strong in the hands of our friends that bought it.Water is the biggest killer of trailers.Also, the aluminum frame trainers tend to be more expensive.

You'll pay more for an aluminum frame and it's really no better so long as you maintain the seals on a wood framed one. I've looked at scores of used units and the common denominator with used units whatever the frame is made from is water leaks from lack of seal maintenance.There is more to RV'ing than pulling it down the road, lots more.

It's really personal choice. I've owned both and the wood is warmer and does not transfer cold thru the studs. It expands and contracts with the weather, where alum would crack. What kind of exterior skin do you like ? Vacuum bonded Filon or alum corrugated skin ? As far as I know , vacuum bonded filon goes with alum frames. You would need more aluminum framework than wood framework to support the filon walls. Therefore, the added weight of extra aluminum and the heavier filon and glue makes the alum framed trailer, heavy. Wood frame can be 16" on center and aluminum corrugated skin which is much lighter than filon can be used.

Pretty spot on advice. Wood framed trailers also typically use fiberglass bat insulation, whereas the aluminum frame use foam board. In some cases the bat insulation may settle, leaving gaps. My wood framed trailer easily keeps us warm or cool as desired in any weather we've used it.It really is all about caring for and maintaining your RV. Many people make the mistake of thinking it's new, I can put off maintenance for a while. But many of these units come from the factory with leaks ready and waiting.

Aluminum or wood frame? | Good Sam Community

ScottG
Nomad
Aug 13, 2017
SidecarFlip wrote:
Bumpyroad wrote:
aluminum can't rot. and RV walls are horrible cold sinks regardless of construction. my first Class A had twin beds and when you rolled over at night and touched the wall, BRRRRRR
bumpy

That is not correct either. Aluminum can rot, it's called white rust and in the presence of moisture (from poor seal maintenance) it will rot and eventually fail.

True! I had a couple of spots like that on our old TT. Never could figure out why but they were just like "white rust". Had to slather them in white caulk to keep bugs and water from getting in.
NWnative
Explorer
Aug 14, 2017
I'm in the Aluminum camp.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Aug 14, 2017
NWnative wrote:
I'm im the Aluminum camp.

I see that...lol

I've always been fascinated by the silver pickles on wheels...;)
scbwr
Explorer II
Aug 14, 2017
I had a 2002 Sunline trailer (wood frame) that was just an excellent trailer and held up to many miles of towing. I think it was better insulated than our 2014 Winnebago Minnie (aluminum). But I appreciate the ease of cleaning the smooth sides of the Minnie vs. the aluminum siding that was on the Sunline. It really boils down to the quality of materials and construction and you have to decide how much insulation you want, so compare the R factors of the sidewalls and roof.
It seems to me that many of the better 4 season trailers still use wood frames...but I'm not really up to speed on what's available.

You can get a lot of years out of most trailers if you maintain the seals and prevent any water leaks.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Aug 14, 2017
ScottG wrote:
SidecarFlip wrote:
Bumpyroad wrote:
aluminum can't rot. and RV walls are horrible cold sinks regardless of construction. my first Class A had twin beds and when you rolled over at night and touched the wall, BRRRRRR
bumpy

That is not correct either. Aluminum can rot, it's called white rust and in the presence of moisture (from poor seal maintenance) it will rot and eventually fail.

True! I had a couple of spots like that on our old TT. Never could figure out why but they were just like "white rust". Had to slather them in white caulk to keep bugs and water from getting in.

If you note, all of those horror stories with pictures of rVs falling apart have one thing in common, wooden construction.

dang, I guess all of those boat owners with aluminum boats better get their life jackets on cause they are about to sink, NOT
bumpy
BadgerMcAdams
Explorer
Aug 14, 2017
SidecarFlip wrote:
NWnative wrote:
I'm im the Aluminum camp.

I see that...lol

I've always been fascinated by the silver pickles on wheels...;)

I was too...until I looked at the price of one :E
Not so much after that.
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Aug 15, 2017
My brother has a 5th wheel. It is advertised as a aluminum framed camper. (Says it right in the side of the camper) He had a delaminzation problem on his back wall. When they removed the paneling on the inside to take a look at it they discovered that his so called aluminum camper had wooden framing studs on the back wall. Only the side walls were aluminum framing studs.
Vintage465
Nomad
Aug 15, 2017
I think the wood framed units with vacuum bonded,laminated walls like Nash Trailers would be my choice if I was going with wood. Otherwise if you're just going with a corrugated aluminum over wood, long term strength isn't as good as a vacuum bonded aluminum.
TurnThePage
Explorer
Aug 15, 2017
Bumpyroad wrote:
ScottG wrote:
SidecarFlip wrote:
Bumpyroad wrote:
aluminum can't rot. and RV walls are horrible cold sinks regardless of construction. my first Class A had twin beds and when you rolled over at night and touched the wall, BRRRRRR
bumpy

That is not correct either. Aluminum can rot, it's called white rust and in the presence of moisture (from poor seal maintenance) it will rot and eventually fail.

True! I had a couple of spots like that on our old TT. Never could figure out why but they were just like "white rust". Had to slather them in white caulk to keep bugs and water from getting in.

If you note, all of those horror stories with pictures of rVs falling apart have one thing in common, wooden construction.

dang, I guess all of those boat owners with aluminum boats better get their life jackets on cause they are about to sink, NOT
bumpy
I can't let this go. If what you say is correct, then I think they have TWO things in common. The second is shoddy construction and/or preventive maintenance. And I tried really hard to make that politically correct.

Delamination is not a problem for the typical wood framed trailer, but it's sure brought up about around here an awful lot. Just sayin'.

LOL, aside from Caveman Charlie's brother. :B
Atlee
Explorer II
Aug 15, 2017
I went in the opposite direction recently. Went from an aluminum framed, azdel/fiberglass sided trailer w/ slide [Skyline Koala 21CS] to a wood framed, aluminum sided trailer w/o slide [Jayco 23RB].

I did it with eyes wide open. But every thing I've read/seen indicates if I'm pro-active with preventive maintenance, this new trailer should last a long time. At the end of the 2 year factory warranty, I should have an indication if I made a mistake or not.