Wood vs Aluminum/Paper vs. Plastic
There are certain things in life that guarantee a lively discussion and the "no wood, no rot" construction mantra is no exception - at least it is in the boating industry. Seems like there is a simila...
Forum Discussion
I have considered responding to posts like this in the past but have been hesitant to rain on anybodies parade. Background: purchased first TIG welder in 1970s for gunsmithing and general fabrication. I have owned 3 profession grade units including currently a Miller Dynasty 200 inverter-type. Most buy TIG units for aluminum but I have welded mostly steel but also dabbled in AL. Point is I know what a good Al weld should look like.
Last summer my wife and I visited a NorthernLite dealer in Bozeman, MT and we noticed one of the ALL Aluminum campers that had been mentioned on this forum. We decided to take a look and the salesman opened the closet in the right rear and proudly pointed out the exposed construction--all Al, frame and skin. First thing I noticed was besides no inside paneling in the closet there was also no insulation--mind you this was in MT where I lived for 10 years and it can be very chilly even during the summer camping season. I next saw the welds on the 1" sq tube and couldn't quite believe my eyes. I have heard poor welds with no apparent fusion described as "wormy" but these would be more accurately described as "worm crap" or worse.
It was obviously done with a MIG spool gun (which is an inferior way to weld Al compared to TIG) because of black smoke left all over and the welder had no slightest idea how to set the machine parameters or weld for that matter. I decided right then if I ever saw this brand on the highway I would give it a wide berth since it couldn't be much stronger than if it was stuck together with superglue. Truthfully I think the skin contributed almost all of the strength.
Personally if I was interested in an AL frame camper I would prefer one that is riveted or bonded in some other way than welded--especially at the corners. Even good quality Al welds can work harden. I realize this was but one camper but still I shake my head thinking of the the way that structure was built. I have never understood why almost no companies use thin-wall steel tubing like Jfet is using on his project on this forum. It isn't much heavier than AL.
Last summer my wife and I visited a NorthernLite dealer in Bozeman, MT and we noticed one of the ALL Aluminum campers that had been mentioned on this forum. We decided to take a look and the salesman opened the closet in the right rear and proudly pointed out the exposed construction--all Al, frame and skin. First thing I noticed was besides no inside paneling in the closet there was also no insulation--mind you this was in MT where I lived for 10 years and it can be very chilly even during the summer camping season. I next saw the welds on the 1" sq tube and couldn't quite believe my eyes. I have heard poor welds with no apparent fusion described as "wormy" but these would be more accurately described as "worm crap" or worse.
It was obviously done with a MIG spool gun (which is an inferior way to weld Al compared to TIG) because of black smoke left all over and the welder had no slightest idea how to set the machine parameters or weld for that matter. I decided right then if I ever saw this brand on the highway I would give it a wide berth since it couldn't be much stronger than if it was stuck together with superglue. Truthfully I think the skin contributed almost all of the strength.
Personally if I was interested in an AL frame camper I would prefer one that is riveted or bonded in some other way than welded--especially at the corners. Even good quality Al welds can work harden. I realize this was but one camper but still I shake my head thinking of the the way that structure was built. I have never understood why almost no companies use thin-wall steel tubing like Jfet is using on his project on this forum. It isn't much heavier than AL.
