Forum Discussion

theoldwizard1's avatar
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
May 29, 2013

HTT construction; What is good vs. not so good

I have had a pop up for over 25 years. Lately my daughter and her family have started to use the old Palomino hard side, but their family "exploded" (2 sets of twins, 4 years apart), so Grandpa is thinking about a hybrid. (Too old to walk to the "potty" in the middle of the night and a shower sounds really nice !)

Being a retired engineer, I am very interested in construction techniques and especially what is "field proven". For example, Jayco's Magnum Roof System looks like a good thing. Comments ?

How about wall construction. Are all manufacturers still using 2x2 wood studs ? Any one using welded square tubing ?

What other construction techniques should I look for ?
  • bovellois's avatar
    bovellois
    Explorer
    May 29, 2013
    The framework of the ROO (Forest River) is made of aluminium, likely square tubing.
  • llowllms's avatar
    llowllms
    Explorer
    May 29, 2013
    I think all hybrids are constructed with the same limits in mind regardless of materials used. The object is light weight construction as in most light weight TT's.
  • Campfire_Time's avatar
    Campfire_Time
    Explorer
    May 29, 2013
    The Magnum Roof System of the latest Jayco hybrids are made on a wood frame and are slightly bowed as opposed to completely flat. The sides are vacuum laminate, Jayco's name being "Tuffshell". They use aluminum frame for the walls.

    We just traded our 2003 Kiwi 17a that had the Tuffshell construction. Aside from the fact that the front and back bed panels oxidized and lost their shine, the trailer looked great. Check all the seams (especially roof!) several times a year and its will last for many years.
  • theoldwizard1's avatar
    theoldwizard1
    Explorer II
    May 30, 2013
    I've watched all the video I can find and Jayco does not show any clear images of their inner wall assembly. It appears that the foam core is routed out and aluminum (?) square tubing/C-channel (?) is inserted in the dados. There was no clear pictures of the vertical pieces being welded to the horizontal pieces before the lamination process.

    Also I could find no clear images of how the walls are attached to the floor.
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    May 30, 2013
    from what i know, hybrids are constructed the same way as most any ultra-lite travel trailer.
    the only difference is that they are reinforced in the front, to bear the weight for the drop-down bunk doors.
    and, i don't think any are wood-framed anymore, except maybe the aluminum-sided ones.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,029 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 13, 2025