wood or metal trusses

Having seen some of these units in for repair at local shop you'd be amazed at what some manufacturers call metal frames. It's a very thin piece of box aluminium with wood drive into for extra support and since the metal is too thin to hold a screw in!!! This is common of a couple of manufacturers who claim a metal frame.

When you take a metal frame (aluminum cage for example) coupled with 2" block foam insulation and 2 layers of Azdel or Compositek, you're talking about a VERY STRONG durable wall, side, front, roof, etc. Sent through a pinch roller, it's strengthens the sideboard that much more.

And yes, some mfgs use wood inside of the aluminum cage (tubing) to help anchor the wallboard, etc. This is perfectly acceptable, in my opinion.

It beats the heck out of 2x4's with house insulation as building materials, which is what Jayco uses.

WoodGlue

While aluminum won't rot, it will corrode. Many trailers are around from back in the sixties and seventies when all they used was wood. Keeping it dry is ouf way more concern. So I would look more at the exterior and how well it its going to keep water out. Although I like the looks of the smooth exterior it is prone to have delamination problems and that would worry me. JMO

My criteria would be the floor plan first, and then I would accept what ever the frame is made out of.

Jack L

Maintain your TT/5'er properly and it shouldn't matter. Check caulking regularly even on the roof. I'm guessing that owner neglect has a bit to do with rot. Just because it's new doesn't mean it was built right. A good inspection can reveal deficiencies.

I agree with G0Ducks .
In my experience and opinion a TT that has been stored under a carport or better has double the life of one that has not .
A trailer stored outside expands under the sun during the day and contracts at night .
Eventually a leak(s) will occur from that or deterioration of sealant .
Floors are more of an issue than roofs for rot.
Komfort Trailers made in Oregon are aluminum framed , have heavier frames , are shipped with higher load rating tires and axles , and are much heavier to tow than the lightweight trailers for the f150 crowd .
If you would consider an f250 tow rig or similar the Komfort is a good choice for a well built trailer .
I have a 2002 bought new and have had no issues whatsoever but mine is stored under cover .

I have an Airstream. It is all metal except for the floor. Is it better? I really don't think so because like all trailers, if not regularly inspected and properly maintained it is going to leak. The problem with Airstreams is floor rot.

If I were looking at trailers today I probably would not get too worked up over wood vs metal framing. I would play very close attention to the quality of the trailer, the history of the brand and the record of repairs. Keep the roof clean and maintain all the caulking and it won't matter if the frame is wood or not. The addition of new composite materials for floors is a welcome improvement. The Evergreen line came out a couple of years ago with a trailer that was made of materials that couldn't be damaged by water. They went out of business quickly which was a shame. Expensive units and poor management was talk.

This is almost as popular of a subject as what kind of tires.....

LOTS of threads... each side has their points, is either correct?

Up next.....Coors or Budweiser

Repo

aftermath wrote:
The Evergreen line came out a couple of years ago with a trailer that was made of materials that couldn't be damaged by water. They went out of business quickly which was a shame. Expensive units and poor management was talk.

I guess my 2014 Evergreen Ascend is an orphan now? :)
bumpy

The Camplites are all aluminum frame, as well as floor, roof etc. No wood used in the construction. We don't have the spray on insulation for the floor, but that is the point where the cold comes through. I know of several who winter camp in their camplites up in the north, and do fine.

In any case, like them or not, you can see a good video showing their alternative construction methods by CLICKING HERE.