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...
Forum Discussion
Lance truck campers and travel trailers use no wood in their coach construction. Aluminum, Azdel composite, closed cell foam board cut to fit tightly, etc, on a steel frame. None of which will soak up water or retain water and/or will not dry rot or support mold growth. Buyers have choices and then will live with their choices.
Several camper/RV manufacturers still use a lot of plain untreated cheap wood in their RV construction and it's certainly not #1 grade clear of knots or splits treated wood but thin to the minimum strength needed at the time of the camper/RV date of build.
However, the structure only gets weaker with age, using, flexing, sweating with temperature changes, and/or water leaks not to even speak of the mold growth which usually occurs. Buy one off these type of constructed campers and get what happens over time as it will. An RV with having non-breathing construction built in will later promote mold growth usually in the lower walls or floor areas as that is where the heavier than air moisture and water flows down to and gathers for the mold growth and rot to enjoy big constant dinner feasts 24/7/365.
Retro rebuilding an RV using composites having the same strength as the thin wood that was used is very difficult or not even possible in most cases. It is what it is!
Several camper/RV manufacturers still use a lot of plain untreated cheap wood in their RV construction and it's certainly not #1 grade clear of knots or splits treated wood but thin to the minimum strength needed at the time of the camper/RV date of build.
However, the structure only gets weaker with age, using, flexing, sweating with temperature changes, and/or water leaks not to even speak of the mold growth which usually occurs. Buy one off these type of constructed campers and get what happens over time as it will. An RV with having non-breathing construction built in will later promote mold growth usually in the lower walls or floor areas as that is where the heavier than air moisture and water flows down to and gathers for the mold growth and rot to enjoy big constant dinner feasts 24/7/365.
Retro rebuilding an RV using composites having the same strength as the thin wood that was used is very difficult or not even possible in most cases. It is what it is!
