Aluminum or wood frame?

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.

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.

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.

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.