Heartland RV -TPO and Azdel FYI

[Roadrash450]

Just noticed that Heartland is making a move to use TPO on thier entire Prowler line and the NorthTrail's are now being manufactured with Azdel laminate panels.

Haven't seen it mentioned so I figured I'd post it. The industry is changing!:D

[JJBIRISH]

TxTiger wrote:
I know what azdel is, but what is TPO?

IMHO, no one really knows what TPO is… its been reformulated 4 or 5 times and you don’t know which formulation you have or are buying… each reformulation claiming to have corrected problems of previous versions… who knows when they will actually get it right or when a formulation will be around long enough to prove itself… older versions of TPO used on RV’s have caused extensive roof damage due to their fleece backing, wicking water to large areas…

I think the latest un-backed version of TPO for RV’s is only about 20mil, EPDM used by the RV industry is normally about 40 mil, and commercial grade EPDM is normally 60 mil… the new TPO might be the greatest product ever, only time will tell if it is or if there will be another reformulation coming…

[brulaz]

Roadrash450 wrote:

TxTiger wrote:
I know what azdel is, but what is TPO?

TPO is a type of roofing material with a different composition than EPDM "rubber roof"

For more info (Bumpy's second post):http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26817069/gotomsg/26818085.cfm#26818085

[Roadrash450]

TxTiger wrote:
I know what azdel is, but what is TPO?

TPO is a type of roofing material with a different composition than EPDM "rubber roof"

[brulaz]

WoodGlue wrote:

brulaz wrote:
Always amazes me how many RV manufacturers are out there, and how many brands they have.

You mean like ForestRiver? 28 or so product lines and at least 5 floorplans per?

WoodGlue

Exactly. It's overwhelming.

[WoodGlue]

brulaz wrote:

Goldstalker wrote:
The Skyline Koala and Walkabout lines do as well...

Always amazes me how many RV manufacturers are out there, and how many brands they have.

You mean like ForestRiver? 28 or so product lines and at least 5 floorplans per?

WoodGlue

[Goldstalker]

They are actually pretty much the same units just branded different for dealers. I think different color options and such.

Some info here.
http://bamarv.blogspot.com/2011/05/azdel-and-koalas-say-what-what.html

[brulaz]

Goldstalker wrote:
The Skyline Koala and Walkabout lines do as well...

Thanks. The Koala brochure and website refers to "Latest Technology Substrates", guess that's Azdel. Walkabout doesn't say anything though ...?

Always amazes me how many RV manufacturers are out there, and how many brands they have.

[Goldstalker]

The Skyline Koala and Walkabout lines do as well...

[TxTiger]

I know what azdel is, but what is TPO?

[Roadrash450]

Ya sorry, The NorthTrail AND Wilderness are Azdel laminate walls. They indicate laminated floor and roof just not which material. But they state all aluminum framing on all 6 sides for both.

Either way it's a move to more durable materials that aid in less maintenance and more time for enjoyment. Unless your like me, that enjoy and can't stop fixing things that ain't broke!:B

[brulaz]

Dtaylor wrote:
My Wilderness (by Heartland) is made with Azdel

Thanks, I didn't know that.

So, Heartland's North Trail and Wilderness use azdel in the side walls. As do Coachmen's Freedom Express and Apex. And Lance and CampLite. Those are all I know of.
EDIT: forgot Gulfstream's GulfBreeze!

And there's Evergreen Ever-lite's Compositek (optional now?).

And then Trailmanor has only a layer of Luaun in the floor, none in any wall or the ceiling. But it's Al-Foam-Al laminated.

[WoodGlue]

I think (but don't quote me) that Azdel is used on the curved surfaces of the Lance. The rear end is a double layer of Azdel as are the walls - Laminate>Azdel>Extruded Block Foam>Azdel.

The combo of MFG's using Azdel and TPO is a great industry advancement!

WoodGlue

[Dtaylor]

My Wilderness (by Heartland) is made with Azdel

[brulaz]

WoodGlue wrote:

...

burlaz wrote:
I wonder whether a fibreglass laminate with azdel backing is flexible enough for Lance and the other azdel users to use it on the curved front of their trailers? And whether it is laminated or just hung? They certainly should be able to use a true azdel laminate on the flat rears

No, it's not flexible enough to use on a curved surface w/ other materials afaik.
...

Any idea what Lance does on the front then?

I assume they use the azdel laminate on the rear