joshuajim wrote:
From a structural standpoint fewer windows means greater shear value from the walls. This COULD result in reducing the main frame.
As a homebuilder, designer and having a bit of engineering knowledge, I would say you are 100% correct, except.........You would pass out if you saw some of the design and construction hidden in trailer walls.
The brochure says, "welded aluminum square tube stud construction" and then you tour the plant, and watch a guy carry a structural side wall from the pile of them to the laminating table. No headers over smaller openings, a "stud" every 36", no backer for the substrate sheet, and a 26' long wall that he is carrying with one hand. The only reason it's not built lighter, and with less material, is that they are simply out of corners to cut. They need something to define the perimeter, and to screw the doors, floor and roof to. The average RV owner is under the misconception that the structure of the rig they own is FAR more substantial that it actually is. They think they own a lunch pail, but they really have a nicely decorated paper bag.
