Azdel vs Vacuem bonded fiberglass

Bumpyroad wrote:

SoundGuy wrote:

GrandpaKip wrote:
Personally, I would not let the presence of Azdel or not be a major factor of a camper purchase.

SoundGuy wrote:
Having owned a trailer with Azdel backed sidewalls I'd disagree.

GrandpaKip wrote:
Oh, I would definitely prefer Azdel over luaun. But if I liked one floor plan with luaun over another with Azdel, the luaun one would win.

The best choice would be both - a trailer with Azdel walls in a floorplan you like. There's no reason other than cost that Azdel couldn't also be used for the rear wall along with both side walls but my understanding is it's not used for a curved front wall because it's not as flexible as luan.

I certainly agree that construction is the most important factor for me in choosing a RV. Obviously the layout must suit your needs, but NO RV is perfect, unless you are in the Prevost category. a beautiful floor plan in a shoddy construction, rubber roof, etc. unit is worthless.
bumpy
bumpy

But, according to lots of people here, all trailers are crappola. LOL
I am not of that group, however.
Of course, after finding the “perfect” floor plan, construction must meet my criteria. Our Dart hit both for me. Certainly wouldn’t for everybody, but it’s not for anyone else. It’s for us. That’s what matters.

SoundGuy wrote:

GrandpaKip wrote:
Personally, I would not let the presence of Azdel or not be a major factor of a camper purchase.

SoundGuy wrote:
Having owned a trailer with Azdel backed sidewalls I'd disagree.

GrandpaKip wrote:
Oh, I would definitely prefer Azdel over luaun. But if I liked one floor plan with luaun over another with Azdel, the luaun one would win.

The best choice would be both - a trailer with Azdel walls in a floorplan you like. There's no reason other than cost that Azdel couldn't also be used for the rear wall along with both side walls but my understanding is it's not used for a curved front wall because it's not as flexible as luan.

I certainly agree that construction is the most important factor for me in choosing a RV. Obviously the layout must suit your needs, but NO RV is perfect, unless you are in the Prevost category. a beautiful floor plan in a shoddy construction, rubber roof, etc. unit is worthless.
bumpy
bumpy

GrandpaKip wrote:
Personally, I would not let the presence of Azdel or not be a major factor of a camper purchase.

SoundGuy wrote:
Having owned a trailer with Azdel backed sidewalls I'd disagree.

GrandpaKip wrote:
Oh, I would definitely prefer Azdel over luaun. But if I liked one floor plan with luaun over another with Azdel, the luaun one would win.

The best choice would be both - a trailer with Azdel walls in a floorplan you like. There's no reason other than cost that Azdel couldn't also be used for the rear wall along with both side walls but my understanding is it's not used for a curved front wall because it's not as flexible as luan.

SoundGuy wrote:

GrandpaKip wrote:
Personally, I would not let the presence of Azdel or not be a major factor of a camper purchase.

Having owned a trailer with Azdel backed sidewalls I'd disagree. Second trip out we had a rather significant leak that showed up in a cabinet beside the galley where an inch of water collected during a heavy rainstorm. I went over that trailer myself with a fine tooth comb and couldn't determine where the leak was, back at my dealer's shop neither could the techs. Eventually they recaulked the entire trailer and that solved the problem. The fact that sidewall was backed with Azdel not luan was a big relief and I had no further issues with it.

Oh, I would definitely prefer Azdel over luaun. But if I liked one floor plan with luaun over another with Azdel, the luaun one would win.

GrandpaKip wrote:
Personally, I would not let the presence of Azdel or not be a major factor of a camper purchase.

Having owned a trailer with Azdel backed sidewalls I'd disagree. Second trip out we had a rather significant leak that showed up in a cabinet beside the galley where an inch of water collected during a heavy rainstorm. I went over that trailer myself with a fine tooth comb and couldn't determine where the leak was, back at my dealer's shop neither could the techs. Eventually they recaulked the entire trailer and that solved the problem. The fact that sidewall was backed with Azdel not luan was a big relief and I had no further issues with it.

scarecrow56 wrote:
Soundguy I'm not sure how to determine how the front and back are constructed. Anyone know how to figure that out?

Well the sales staff should know. :p Here's a couple of pics I took in my local dealer's shop a few years ago of brand new Coachmen trailers, one an Apex, the other a Freedom Express, both which had leaked in the rear wall. With Azdel only in the sidewalls the rear walls which were backed with luan had to be replaced on both trailers.





With sidewalls it's easy to see the Azdel - just look into the sidewall cavity that the entry door lock shaft sits in, you'll be able to see the outer fiberglass layer and behind it the Azdel layer.

scarecrow56 wrote:
Soundguy I'm not sure how to determine how the front and back are constructed. Anyone know how to figure that out?

Front and back of the trailer of the wall?

Personally, I would not let the presence of Azdel or not be a major factor of a camper purchase.
Floor plan and weight specs are primary for us.
Vacuum bonded walls are better than pinch rolled. Either could have Azdel rather than luaun. Just because a wall has Azdel does not mean it won’t come apart if enough water gets in for a long enough time.

Soundguy I'm not sure how to determine how the front and back are constructed. Anyone know how to figure that out?

It's vacuum btw. Not Vacuem....lol