Gauging interest in a custom built all aluminum TT

[JustinJ]

Hi All,

I'm trying to get an idea if there would be any demand or interest in a custom built line of aluminum campers. I'm a custom aluminum boat builder and fabricator from South Louisiana. I've had a few campers in the past, and have always been disapointed with the overall construction. I have been toying around with idea of building my own, and possibly shifting my boat building business efforts more into the travel trailers should the demand be there.

What I'm taking about is nothing like what is on the market today. This would be a completly welded out unit. The eniter trailer, frame, and skin would be all welded aluminum construction. The skin would be all 5052 either 1/8 or .100 sheet aluminum, with any and all seems tig welded. Also a sealed welded foor from the bottom, sealing and protecting what ever premium rot proof sub floor I would use. I'm pretty confident I could be price competative with any of the mid to upper level stuff on the market, if not maybe even a little cheaper.

I've got a boat build to get started on, and when thats done, I think I'm going to start construction of a proto type for myself, something in the 20-24' range. Probably won't be till after hunting season, but when I do get started I will start a build thread on hear to see how it goes.

THanks,
Justin

[JustinJ]

Thanks again for all the great feedback guys.

On the size, I shot out 20-24 feet as something because the first build would be a proto type for my use, and that's the size range I would be looking for. There would be no limitations on size, I could do anything from 14 to 35 feet and everything in between.
At this point, I'm actually even thinking about starting with a 16' single axel, just to get a build out there and to show/prove the idea and what could be done.

On the axels, I'm not set ether way on torsion or springs. Torsion are generally a little easier to build with, but I would be able to provide whatever a costumer wants.

I'm thinking that this will probably need to be a custom, or semi custom type of endeavor. That's worked well for me in the boat business, not trying to compete with the mass produced brands, but building a better product that exact way somebody wants it.

It has absolutely been me experience that if you can provide a truly cut above product in quality, there will always be a select market for it and people that will pay for it.

As far as my shortcomings regarding my engineering abilities, or lack there of, pretty confident I can produce a box on wheels somebody can sleep in. In all seriousness, I have a lot of experience in building and designing things a lot bigger, and exposed to much greater stresses and environments then any travel trailer. I'm not a travel trailer guru by any means, but being able to build and produce a solid unit, that is bullet proof, cosmetically appealing, and virtually maintenance free, I feel very confinement in being able to do so. It will be a learning curve, and maybe no one will want what I can turn out. My experiences with campers have been mainly using them as rather remote hunting camps, some have some to learn as to what eminities are important in a modern travel trailer. My main focus is in getting the basic structure, she'll and overall look and construction. If I can really change what the norm is on that, I can always do what it will take to outfit the interior to where it will need to be.

Thanks again for all the great info. I was rather confident that there would be some interest in such a creation, and now my gears are really turning. I'm looking foreword to being able to start construction.

Justin

[profdant139]

I sure hope you are successful!! There is a huge unmet need for a rock solid trailer. Good luck, and sincere best wishes -- I really mean it.

PS -- extra ground clearance is a great thing, at least as an option, for folks (like me) who tow on rocky dirt roads.

[Lynnmor]

bid_time wrote:

johnnyrv wrote:
Start first with a good floor plan then build a good shell around it. I think 23 to 24 feet is necessary for a walk around queen. If the interior quality is high end I think $50,000 would be competitive.

No way am I going to spend $50,000.00 for a 24-foot non-engineered trailer from a guy building it in his barn that could be bankrupt tomorrow. Frame bending, wall instability, and about 100 other potential disasters come to mind with no recourse. No offense - just no thanks. I'll stick with a manufacturer that at least has some engineers on staff, if not signed and sealed drawings.

If you think that the current crop of travel trailers are "engineered" I wonder why they don't last. Show me one built in a barn, I might buy it.

[irishtom29]

A heli arced trailer sounds good to me, hire boilermaker or pipefitter ASME code heli welders out of the hall and you'll never have a leak. 😉

Good Luck.

[DutchmenSport]

westend wrote:
... One thing you've got going for you is that I assume your boats don't leak. If you can build an RV that doesn't leak and doesn't require big maintenance, you'll hit one out of the park.

Wow! VERY WELL SAID!

[bid_time]

johnnyrv wrote:
Start first with a good floor plan then build a good shell around it. I think 23 to 24 feet is necessary for a walk around queen. If the interior quality is high end I think $50,000 would be competitive.

No way am I going to spend $50,000.00 for a 24-foot non-engineered trailer from a guy building it in his barn that could be bankrupt tomorrow. Frame bending, wall instability, and about 100 other potential disasters come to mind with no recourse. No offense - just no thanks. I'll stick with a manufacturer that at least has some engineers on staff, if not signed and sealed drawings.

[rbpru]

My first guess is you will have to be a custom builder, marketing a unique product to a niche market.

The factories in Elkhart Indiana can produce 25 stick and tin units, 26 ft. long, with various floor plans, every day; day after day. They use the same component sources and have had years of corporate competition knowledge and in-breeding of personnel. Basically they know what will sell to the mass RV market.

A good example is the miss match of wood types, grains and shading one finds in the typical RV. Most of us would not buy a dinette set if the table and chair colors did not match. But it is not a factor in the RV trade.

Fortunately the sector of the market that really wants a cut above the norm is usually willing to pay for it. A classic example is Airstream, people will pay for a what they perceive as increased value.

If you are in the boat business, you know that to most people; a boat, is a boat, is a boat. But to some, certain features make a particular boat worth the extra cost. I my case it is Kevlar in a light weight canoe.

Good luck and I hope you find your niche. There is always room for a better mouse trap.

[westend]

Now, this is just a test... Which way will the entry door swing - in or out?

ROFL...

[2012Coleman]

Sounds like a great idea! I was gong to suggest shocks, but Huntingdog beat me to it. Now, this is just a test... Which way will the entry door swing - in or out?

[johnnyrv]

Start first with a good floor plan then build a good shell around it. I think 23 to 24 feet is necessary for a walk around queen. If the interior quality is high end I think $50,000 would be competitive.

[Huntindog]

I am much interested in seeing what you build.
I personally would rather see a quality leaf spring setup.
As in an Equaflex equalizer, and upgraded spring eye bushings, and maybe even shocks as an option.

[westend]

Justin,
I thought about one other thing: There is a good market for all aluminum utility trailers and enclosed trailers. I know that the aluminum framed enclosed trailers command a high price. That may be something you want to investigate along with the RV model.

Best of luck!

[valhalla360]

I think the size range may be an issue. 20' trailers are usually seen as starter trailers. I see 20' trailers advertised for $10k occasionally and midlevel up to around $20k. I suspect you will have a tough time building a high quality unit to compete at those prices.

I haven't come across a lot of high end trailers in that size range. Usually, once buyers want high end they are over 30' long and then the price does go up substantially.

Slideouts will be a key issue. Without those you really limit your market but they make it much more complicated creating a truely sealed unit.

You might look at bumping up into the 28-35' range. I think that will give you a lot more pricing flexibility as you have larger base of potential buyers.

You might also consider the 5th wheel market as high end buyers tend to gravitate towards 5th wheels over travel trailers.

What kind of interiors do you have on the boats you build? If they are simple fishing boats with minimalist interiors that take up less than 50% of the boat, that likely won't cut it in the RV market.

Do you have access to bulk pricing on RV style appliances? If you have to pay retail prices, that will drive your prices up.

I wish you well and keep reporting back but I suspect there is a reason there aren't a bunch of small builders doing this.

[Jframpey]

Ok, I'm interested... I'll assume no slide outs? I like the idea of the welded skin - no roof membrane to weather, caulk to crack. I've had torsion axles on an equipment trailer- 10,000 lb and worked great. Smoother ride for me and the equipment. I'd be happy for axles to last 20 years.

Would you sling the plumbing and holding tanks below the floor?

All of that welding has got to take a lot more labor than the sandwich panels (wood or aluminum) used everywhere today.

[69_Avion]

I like the idea that an all aluminum trailer with an aluminum skin would be built. I can't wait to see it.

Also, don't assume that rubber torsion axles are better than leaf springs. Rubber torsion axles don't have an equalizer and the rubber only lasts about 20-25 years before it gets hard. When that happens, it is axle replacement time.
When you hit a large bump with tandem rubber torsion axles, one axle will be carrying the entire weight of the trailer. Also, there are some really good coil spring suspensions out there.