Looking at a couple models of Coachmen and Rockwood. The Rockwood has an aluminum framed roof vs a wood framed roof on the Coachmen. Other than going up on the roof to install solar panels, I don't plan on spending any other time up there. Is there a huge difference in that we should pick one over the other because of this type of roof?Thanks in advance.Great Forum

Aluminum doesn't rot and it isn't put together with staples.

But it could crank with the flexing that occurs while traveling down the road.

Much easier for the wood underlayment of the roof to be secured to wood. I would not let it effect my choices either way. We just bought a new Arctic Fox and were looking at Grand design as well. Both have wood rafters and I don't think anyone considers them poorly built.

I'd give aluminum +1, all things considered.

DinTulsa wrote:But it could crank with the flexing that occurs while traveling down the road.Last year I visited the Outdoors RV factory in Oregon (sister company to Arctic Fox.) They said they use a wood roof for exactly this reason. It will flex without cracking, especially important on rougher back woods roads.

Wood vs Aluminum framed roofs. | Good Sam Community

19 Replies

Passin_Thru
Explorer
Jul 23, 2017
Boles Aero, Airstream Scotties, Mission, Featherlite, Advantage, Bet you've seen them and din't know what you were looking at.
babock
Explorer
Jul 22, 2017
spoon059 wrote:
RCMAN46 wrote:
The wood truss roofs have a plywood outer cover before the rubber roof is installed.

Does anyone know what they use on the aluminum truss roofs?

Same plywood. The trusses won't rot, but the roof decking will rot just as fast as it would if their were wooden trusses.

That is interesting! Makes it sound like the only advantage is indeed a weight saving.
spoon059
Explorer II
Jul 22, 2017
RCMAN46 wrote:
The wood truss roofs have a plywood outer cover before the rubber roof is installed.

Does anyone know what they use on the aluminum truss roofs?

Same plywood. The trusses won't rot, but the roof decking will rot just as fast as it would if their were wooden trusses.
RCMAN46
Explorer
Jul 22, 2017
Harold Fairbanks II wrote:

The wood truss roofs have a plywood outer cover before the rubber roof is installed.

Does anyone know what they use on the aluminum truss roofs?
Lantley
Nomad
Jul 22, 2017
Wood will always be stronger and will be a better insulator.
Aluminum with always resist rot and decay more but will not be as strong.
Both are adequate for as RV roof joist
RandomAbstract
Explorer
Jul 22, 2017
Here is a video showing 36 people climbing onto the roof of an Arctic Fox truck camper. That is about 5,000 pounds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHXC4suIYhw
Harold_Fairbank
Explorer
Jul 22, 2017
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Jul 22, 2017
theoldwizard1 wrote:
proxim2020 wrote:
There's not a huge difference between to two. Both hold up well over time and both make for good walkable roofs. Aluminum is mostly used for weight savings. Rot resistance isn't much of an advantage considering that the aluminum frame is still sandwiched between a wood deck and a wood ceiling.

I am still surprised that the only TT I have seen WITHOUT a wood floor is from CampLite ! A rotten roof is easy to replace. Rot in the walls, more difficult, but still repairable to near new. Rot in the floor and can be patched at best, but your TT is now on its last legs.

proxim2020 wrote:
The roof system of either one wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

CONCUR ! Although I do like arched roofs. No chance for water to puddle.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Jul 22, 2017
proxim2020 wrote:
There's not a huge difference between to two. Both hold up well over time and both make for good walkable roofs. Aluminum is mostly used for weight savings. Rot resistance isn't much of an advantage considering that the aluminum frame is still sandwiched between a wood deck and a wood ceiling.

I am still surprised that the only TT I have seen WITHOUT a wood floor is from CampLite ! A rotten roof is easy to replace. Rot in the walls, more difficult, but do able. Rot in the floor and can be patched at best, but your TT is now on its last legs.

proxim2020 wrote:
The roof system of either one wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

CONCUR ! Although I do like arched roofs. No chance for water to puddle.
drsteve
Explorer
Jul 21, 2017
As long as both are walkable, I don't think there's a lot of difference. If water penetrates the roof, it's going to be a problem regardless.