Comparing Brands

[Time2Paws]

We are down to the final three selection. Comparing brands, Freedom Express, Starcraft and Rockwood. The quality on the Freedom Express and Rockwood seem better than Starcraft. Does anyone have experience with these brands?

Must haves in construction are vacuum laminated aluminum framed walls, DH likes the Azdel product. Also want the enclosed underbelly. I like the tub/shower better in the Starcraft and the Rockwood bathroom is great. Freedom Express gets the poorest mark on their shower of the three.

Thanks.

[FrankShore]

Lance RV's only use a German product Lamilux 4000, so there is really no chance that a Lance is going to delaminate , unless the trailer is NOT maintained as it should be.

Lamilux 4000

Add that to Azdel, which is a grippy substrate. Which is placed in 2 locations (inside the Lamilux and also to the interior wallpaper.

Lance pinch rolls this 4 times, when added to the Alodine coated aluminum framing makes for a near perfect wall board and also the newish PVC Roof (not epdm or TPO any more)

Alodine Coating

I noticed that the weight of your trailer is something like 7,350 Dry Axle, 8,332 Gross Dry Axle and about 10,400 GVWR - not going to compare the Largest Lance 28' overall size the Lance offers the gross dry weight is 4,900 and hitch weight is 550lbs, carrying capacities are 2,100lbs and the GVWR is 7,000.

Lance's Largest Towable

Your Northwood Camper

I just like that the frames on Lance's a huck bolted and not welded and there's is a 25,000 BTU ducted heating, and there is a 4 weather package available. And Lite Ply wood (from Spain) which really speaks to the lightweight aspects of a Lance (also Azdel is 50% lighter than luan)

I guess well just have to agree to a different brand and way of manufacturing. Thank goodness we have choices and that's where I'd like to end, on a good note!

[Time2Paws]

Thank you!. Our last trailer was a Lance and it was, without exception, the best trailer that we ever owned. Unfortunately we are not able to purchase in that price point at this juncture of our lives. Looking for Plan B, and I'm confident that we can find another outstanding product that fits our current needs.

[Ron3rd]

Our Rockwood (same as Flagstaff ) has been outstanding

[theoldwizard1]

FrankShore wrote:

You should also find the Lance Factory Tour on those pages, they're manufactured and assembled in a superior way
Lance Travel Trailers

I watched a couple of Lance factory tour videos and I admit, I was impressed, especially the wall construction.

About the only negative comments I would make is that don't have "barrel"/curved room potential for water puddling), nothing unique on how the roof is attached to the side walls and the floor construction seems to be just standard plywood.

If their aluminum frame, block foam and Azdel is so superior for wall construction, why is it not used for the roof and floor ? (The floor would require a lot more aluminum cross pieces.)

[ScottG]

FrankShore wrote:
Vacuum bonding is where you find the delamination (from a pin prick, or thin surface even) They also don't have the stink of formaldehyde that's all too common in travel trailers.

I have seen you write this before and I would like some proof on this theory. You are the ONLY ONE who I have ever seen write such stuff.
Either type of bonding will delam if water gets in. In tiether case the glue will let go and the outer surface will come loose. Pinch bonding is no different in that regard. You do realize that the vacuum isn't maintained for the life of the product dont you? It's only used to hold the walls together while the glue dries - just like pinch bonding. Manufacturers like Grand Design say this longer and more labor intensive process yields better results. (Pinch bonding is faster, no doubt)

Also, I used to handle items shipped in formaldehyde and I have never smelled it in any trailer. Not even in RV shows where we walk through dozens of them.

Oh and BTW, a quick Google search reveals Lance RV's with filon that have indeed suffered from delam - on this very forum.

[bobndot]

Time2Paws wrote:
We are down to the final three selection. Comparing brands, Freedom Express, Starcraft and Rockwood. The quality on the Freedom Express and Rockwood seem better than Starcraft. Does anyone have experience with these brands?

Must haves in construction are vacuum laminated aluminum framed walls, DH likes the Azdel product. Also want the enclosed underbelly. I like the tub/shower better in the Starcraft and the Rockwood bathroom is great. Freedom Express gets the poorest mark on their shower of the three.

Thanks.

Go to the owners forums of each model and see specifically what they say.
Already seems like you know more than most people. Just pick the floor plan you like and find a reputable dealer to back you after the sale.

Just keep this in mind:
If you have issues with it and the mfg gives the dealer a hard time. Contact the mfg yourself , sometimes they tend to push off the dealers when they call in your behalf.
I have had the pleasure to be in the office many times over the years when the dealers call mfg's and it's a different conversation than you might think (speakerphone). Call the mfg yourself, you'll have a better chance to resolve matters. I have had willing to help dealers tell me to make the call myself for better response.

[ulvik]

Have no complaints with our Rockwood besides cheap china pop tires. Once they were changed just after we bought it we have traveled well over 10,000 miles in the last three years with no issues.

[FrankShore]

Oh yes, Lance offers a 2 year warranty! This matters.

[llr]

I am very happy with our Flagstaff 831CLBSS, which is a twin to the Rockwood, a few minor issues that should be taken care of under warranty after the camping season

[FrankShore]

If you already like Azdel (and who shouldn't) you should look at Lance. Lance doesn't vacuum bond their walls, they pinch roll the at least 3 times and delamination on any Lance is pretty much unheard of. Vacuum bonding is where you find the delamination (from a pin prick, or thin surface even) They also don't have the stink of formaldehyde that's all too common in travel trailers.

Lance Travel Trailers
You should also find the Lance Factory Tour on those pages, they're manufactured and assembled in a superior way

[jarata1]

There is so many threads on brands do a search

[Artum_Snowbird]

Why don't you use the Advanced Post Form, and put in three links to the three units you are actually talking about. You might get some very interesting posts about the differences and what people like and don't care for.