Travel trailer built using aluminum frame

I believe older Camp-Lites were all aluminum, no wood at all.

gerpeters wrote:
...The reason I'm looking for an aluminum frame and better quality trailer is that the one I have not had a major water leak. I fixed it including replacing part of the floor that was rotten

Aluminum framed trailers still have wood floors and roof decking. Most also have wood bonded to the fiberglass skin between the fiberglass and framing.

One indicator of better construction might be looking for plywood flooring rather than osb and a walkable roof.

gerpeters wrote:
I'm very handy for repairs and all things related to hands-on mechanical. I used to work as an industrial welder and maintenance in a factory so I can do everything.

The reason I'm looking for an aluminum frame and better quality trailer is that the one I have not had a major water leak. I fixed it including replacing part of the floor that was rotten

You are looking at aluminum frame for the WRONG reasons.

Aluminum framing can and will "rot" from water infiltration, contact with incompatible metals (including pretty much all but one type of stainless).

Aluminum framing does not insure or eliminate damage water leakage.

Aluminum can easily degrade in high moisture areas by corroding and turning into a white powder.

Aluminum framing is no stronger than wood stick builts, in fact may be a bit disadvantaged in strength depending on the fastening system involved (screws, pop rivets or welding all can weaken the metal around the connection).

The ONLY reason to consider aluminum framing is for WEIGHT SAVINGS.

Yeah, that's it, for that you pay a premium price for aluminum.

RobWNY- When I bought my ne 5er the dealer told me there were two types of trailers, those that leak and those that will leak.

Maintenance is the key to longevity regradless of price range.

Surveyor uses a welded aluminum frame.

gerpeters wrote:
I'm very handy for repairs and all things related to hands-on mechanical. I used to work as an industrial welder and maintenance in a factory so I can do everything.

The reason I'm looking for an aluminum frame and better quality trailer is that the one I have not had a major water leak. I fixed it including replacing part of the floor that was rotten

I'm not certain a better quality trailer exempts it from leaking. Nor does an aluminum frame. Whether it's of minimal spec or the best one out there. I think the important thing would be to do a very thorough inspection of any trailer you're interested in. Trust your judgement. Like my dealer told me when we were looking to buy our first trailer..."whether you buy from me or you buy from another dealer, you should know that every single one of these is a POS". He was right to a certain extent. I've never seen an RV regardless of manufacturer that didn't need better quality control. They build these things so fast, there's going to be issues.

I'm very handy for repairs and all things related to hands-on mechanical. I used to work as an industrial welder and maintenance in a factory so I can do everything.

The reason I'm looking for an aluminum frame and better quality trailer is that the one I have not had a major water leak. I fixed it including replacing part of the floor that was rotten

Arctic Fox and Outdoors RV are aluminum framed.

Here's the best video tour ever of the Northwood (Arctic Fox) factory.

How ARCTIC FOX 5TH WHEELS and TRAVEL TRAILERS Are Made ?! | FULL FACTORY TOUR

RobWNY wrote:
I have a Forest River Hemisphere 5th wheel. It has an aluminum frame and it's the sister unit to the Rockwood line. I would classify it as a lower end to mid range unit off the lot. I would say that if you like the travel trailer, buy the travel trailer. You can put a better stereo in it, you can swap out the tires, you can put in a upgraded converter, put in a better Television, better mattress, better faucets etc. You can do all of these things a heck of a lot cheaper than you can buy a travel trailer with those things already installed. The manufacturer/dealer markup for those things is crazy. And you can do those things as time and money allows. But, if you're not handy at all buy a better unit to begin with.

Rving/camping, whatever you might call it, is not something that a "mechanical klutz" will be very successful at. You cannot afford to take the RV to the dealer to get every little thing repaired, and as slow as most are, you will never get to use it if you do.

If you are not handy, you better start learning. Same goes for most other hobbies, such as boating.

Charles

If you plan on keeping the TT for a long time, then aluminum makes some sense to me but not for short term....5 years or less. Nothing wrong with wood and TT roof maintenance requirements stay the same regardless.