Possible solution to wood rot
The constant enemy of campers is water and the resulting wood rot. I've read here of people having water damage to their campers even when it is only a few years old. Even though many manufacturers us...
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What composite? Most of them are not as strong as wood.
I just rebuild my front lower wall and my impression was that the frame was design to fail.
The main beam holding sides of the camper was 3/4 x 3.5" and cheap wood had knots in it. That thing sag well before corners got some moisture and I had dryrot damage.
You can buy "engineered beams" like gluelam but they don't come in 3/4" sizes and usually are less water-resistant than good wood.
I was using ape wood on some decking in the past. That wood has strength close to aluminium, but sizing is limited and it is heavy.
Than other observation from the repair, the camper frame is exposed to high shearing forces, yet the shear walls are 1/16" paneling, or laminated hardboard/cardboard siding.
I just rebuild my front lower wall and my impression was that the frame was design to fail.
The main beam holding sides of the camper was 3/4 x 3.5" and cheap wood had knots in it. That thing sag well before corners got some moisture and I had dryrot damage.
You can buy "engineered beams" like gluelam but they don't come in 3/4" sizes and usually are less water-resistant than good wood.
I was using ape wood on some decking in the past. That wood has strength close to aluminium, but sizing is limited and it is heavy.
Than other observation from the repair, the camper frame is exposed to high shearing forces, yet the shear walls are 1/16" paneling, or laminated hardboard/cardboard siding.
