goducks10 wrote:
...Only difference IMO is that generally a heavier trailer of the same length is probably built with stronger materials. There's a reason why a 12,500lb UVW 35' trailer is better than a 10,500lb UVW 35' trailer...
Once again, you are perpetuating a myth. if you are comparing apples to apples, sure; but you can't compare apples to oranges.
Structural insulated panels (we call them SIPs) have been around for 50 years. So this is not something new. I don’t know how long they have been in use for RV’s but hey were building homes and offices out of them in the 70’s. So are they stronger than stick and tin? That depends. Like I said earlier, when you start to compare apples to oranges there are a whole lot of factors that come into play. Let’s just say that it’s not too hard for a SIP to be as strong as a 2”x 2” stick wall with a thin layer of tin on it. So it all comes down to how each is constructed. The fact is, for a comparable wall (strength vs. strength) SIPs are more expensive per sft., but a whole lot lighter. On the other hand, a stick and tin will be easier to take apart and rebuild. So which is better for an RV? There is no one size fits all answer. If weight is an issue, you probably want a SIPs. If you’re afraid you might get a leak and have to fix it, you probably want sticks and tin. In the end, I would be more concerned about the overall quality of the construction rather than the method of construction.
As a side bar, I am heavily involved in our school’s band program. This last winter the program needed a 24 ft x 24 ft x 18 inches high, triangular stage. The kicker was, it had to be easily transportable from venue to venue for our competitions, and be able to be fully set up and taken down and clear the area in 1-1/2 minutes. The stage was built of 9 sections luan plywood glued to the top of 2 inch structural foam placed on its end (18” high); 2” foam, 2” space, 2” foam, 2” space the whole length of the luan plywood top. The stage supported approximately 15 high school kids at one time as they played their drums, cymbals, etc. and did their drill on and off the stage. Each section of stage was light enough to be handled by two women if need be, and could be set up in the allotted time by a crew of six well-orchestrated pit crew members. Starter gives the signal, the stage is rolled in on two carts, pit crew sets up the stage, 1-1/2 minutes later the drum corps does their show, 10 minutes later the drum corps is done, the pit crew brings back the carts and dismantles and load the stage, clears the area within 1-1/2 minutes. Total time 13 minutes start to clear.
