Forum Discussion

JustinJ's avatar
JustinJ
Explorer
Oct 30, 2014

Gauging interest in a custom built all aluminum TT

Hi All,

I'm trying to get an idea if there would be any demand or interest in a custom built line of aluminum campers. I'm a custom aluminum boat builder and fabricator from South Louisiana. I've had a few campers in the past, and have always been disapointed with the overall construction. I have been toying around with idea of building my own, and possibly shifting my boat building business efforts more into the travel trailers should the demand be there.

What I'm taking about is nothing like what is on the market today. This would be a completly welded out unit. The eniter trailer, frame, and skin would be all welded aluminum construction. The skin would be all 5052 either 1/8 or .100 sheet aluminum, with any and all seems tig welded. Also a sealed welded foor from the bottom, sealing and protecting what ever premium rot proof sub floor I would use. I'm pretty confident I could be price competative with any of the mid to upper level stuff on the market, if not maybe even a little cheaper.

I've got a boat build to get started on, and when thats done, I think I'm going to start construction of a proto type for myself, something in the 20-24' range. Probably won't be till after hunting season, but when I do get started I will start a build thread on hear to see how it goes.

THanks,
Justin

38 Replies

Show More
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2014
    The RV market is going to be a hard nut to crack, especially if building a niche, quality trailer. If it isn't all about profit or about getting large production numbers, have at it. A few things to consider: most folks want all of the amenities-full showers, bunks, queen beds, plenty of AC and some bling like they have at home. A lot of folks want to pull their house with a smaller SUV so weight is getting real important as vehicles shrink in size. Everyone is a cheapskate. We want it all but are rarely willing to pay more for better quality.

    One thing you've got going for you is that I assume your boats don't leak. If you can build an RV that doesn't leak and doesn't require big maintenance, you'll hit one out of the park.
  • coolbreeze01's avatar
    coolbreeze01
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2014
    Sounds interesting. What hull name do you use? Some really nice aluminum boats out there. Good luck.
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Oct 30, 2014
    What do you think a 20-24' high end trailer will price out at?

    My suspision is while everyone whines about build quality, not many are willing to pay the high price that goes with it, especially for a small trailer.

    How much do you calcualte the trailer will weigh? 1/8" skin sounds like it will be pretty heavy. A 10,000lb 22' trailer might be a hard sell also.

    I'm not suggesting you don't pursue this further but a good buinsess analysis is probably in order to see if you have a market and can build a viable unit at a viable price.
  • djsamuel's avatar
    djsamuel
    Nomad
    Oct 30, 2014
    Take a look at the aluminum campers from LivinLite (livinlite.com) . Not exactly what you're looking at in terms of construction, but they've built a decent business so the potential is there. We bought our Camplite from LivinLite because of the extensive use of aluminum (including the frame) and no wood. You may get some ideas or see things you'd like to do differently. Good luck! :)

    You can watch a video describing the construction BY CLICKING HERE
  • JustinJ's avatar
    JustinJ
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2014
    Lynnmor wrote:
    There is a real need for a quality trailer. A few issues for you to ponder as the design goes forward.

    Where aluminum meets steel, road salt will destroy it quickly if not protected.

    Aluminum will conduct heat in or out, so you should have seperation to prevent the heat from traveling thru.

    Don't use the cheap leaf spring suspension and junk tires.

    The all welded idea might be very difficult to repair resulting in high insurance costs.

    Good Luck


    Good points, most of which I have considered. There should very little steel to aluminum contact. The trailer frame will be an all aluminum contruction, with the expetion of a set of torsion axels bolted to it. I've built aluminum boats and done a lot of marine and offshore oil field fabrication work, so I'm pretty use to dealing with disimular metals and corrosion.

    THe heat transfer will be an issue that I have been thinking about. Mainly the sweathing that will take place, or what will need to be done to stop it. I have some ideas for that as well.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer II
    Oct 30, 2014
    There is a real need for a quality trailer. A few issues for you to ponder as the design goes forward.

    Where aluminum meets steel, road salt will destroy it quickly if not protected.

    Aluminum will conduct heat in or out, so you should have seperation to prevent the heat from traveling thru.

    Don't use the cheap leaf spring suspension and junk tires.

    The all welded idea might be very difficult to repair resulting in high insurance costs.

    Good Luck

About Travel Trailer Group

44,060 PostsLatest Activity: Jul 17, 2025