wood vs alluminum

[batavia02]

Are 5th wheels with all wood construction better or worse then those made of all alluminum or is it up to what the buyer prefers.

[TXiceman]

goducks10 wrote:
Problem with all wood construction in 5'ers is it's really limited to either low-mid range or high end units. Your selections will be limited. Just a guess but it seems like 90% of nicer 5'er are aluminum framed. There may be some with wood framed roofs and or floors. But the walls are aluminum. It's getting harder to find non aluminum framed trailers period.

Excel (Petersen Ind) builds a fairly high end trailer with laminated walls and wood frames. It works for them and has for many years. They are now building the HitchHiker line and brand naming them for NuWa.

Yes, some of the lower priced unit build a wood frame and use the corrugated aluminum for the siding.

Ken

[batavia02]

Exatly what me and my wife have seen they are either at the very low end and somewhat flimsy or at the high end around 100k ish.

[goducks10]

Problem with all wood construction in 5'ers is it's really limited to either low-mid range or high end units. Your selections will be limited. Just a guess but it seems like 90% of nicer 5'er are aluminum framed. There may be some with wood framed roofs and or floors. But the walls are aluminum. It's getting harder to find non aluminum framed trailers period.

[Mootpoint]

I have had both and have had leak issues with both. The wood frame was a quick fix. The aluminum was a nasty delamination problem.
You can get problems with either.

[batavia02]

To those that have answered a thousand thanks, as someone that is just getting into this great way to enjoy our country, and our neighbors to the north we are doing our homework, and asking a lot of questions.and taking our time so we dont rush and make a expensive mistake.thanks so far for the help.

[Me_Again]

TXiceman wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
I consider wood old school. Most better fivers will be aluminum.

Petersen Ind. or Excel would not like your assessment of listing them as not being one of the better 5ers.

Wood is a better insulator than aluminum and will work fine if properly built. Aluminum conducts heat well and is not an insulator.

If you have a leak, wood will rot whereas aluminum will not.

If you are looking at a quality trailer like an Excel, I would not have an issue with wood framing.

Ken

Talk to a few of the Excel owners with leaks and dry rot! I have seen that in our snowbird park. Excel is good about fixing things if you come to the factory, however not everyone has them in their route! Chris

[TXiceman]

JIMNLIN, and now, the HitchHiker trailers are being built by Excel and branded with the HH name. Excel is using their standard wood frame construction for the trailers.


Ken

[JIMNLIN]

I've owned both and much prefer the wood framed unit for its better insulated and quieter and less "drumming" inside the unit.

veral years ago NUWA moved to aluminum framed units but had this to say; snipped

"NuWa made the decision to begin the use of aluminum structure based on marketing and the fact that many people were concluding that an "aluminum caged" product was superior in construction technology, weight and strength. Our 40+ years of experience as a leader in 5th wheel design suggests that may be "flawed" information. We have proven that wood construction need be no heavier or less strong than aluminum construction, that is built properly. We now build both materials, and are comfortable doing either, however our opinion is still that wood construction provides a superior product, and today we use both in the construction of our trailers. The strength of the NuWa trailer is actually created by the superior and light weight Blue Dow foam lamination concept.

NuWa uses an aluminum substructure in the sidewalls and ends of the coach only. No aluminum in the floors or attics, where metal promotes conduction of cold and moisture resulting in condensation."

[2112]

I have owned both. The only difference I found was the flat fiberglass siding of an aluminum model is easier to wash.

[fla-gypsy]

Just two different techniques, when done properly either will perform well.

[TXiceman]

donn0128 wrote:
I consider wood old school. Most better fivers will be aluminum.

Petersen Ind. or Excel would not like your assessment of listing them as not being one of the better 5ers.

Wood is a better insulator than aluminum and will work fine if properly built. Aluminum conducts heat well and is not an insulator.

If you have a leak, wood will rot whereas aluminum will not.

If you are looking at a quality trailer like an Excel, I would not have an issue with wood framing.

Ken

[ScottG]

People like both for different reasons. After having owned wood in the past I would never do it again.
Realistically, both will serve you perfectly well if they never leaked..

[donn0128]

I consider wood old school. Most better fivers will be aluminum.