Wood construction

I once had termites eating the wood that formed the guide to a privacy curtain. Had to spray it with termite killer and thus ended their feast. Been 6 years now and no evidence of re-infestation thus far.

I agree with a earlier poster. It is all about water damage. No water damage and these rigs will hold up whether wood or aluminum. So if looking the biggest thing I would look for is signs of leaks. When I look to buy that is the first thing I am interested in. Water damage and I walk.

I have owned both alum framed and wood framed. I use my rv's in cold temps so I prefer wood because it seems to feel warmer . The alum frames seemed to transfer the cold. When sitting inside and leaning up against the outside walls, you can feel cold spots where the alum framework is.
In choosing alum framed units, I found it a more secure build, if the mfg. used wood inserts inside the alum tubes, so cabinets screwed into place ,would have a secure bite. Hollow tubing offers less bite for screws.

The comments about rot are a bit absurd...

Rot means water intrusion.

NO rv, regardless of construction, is worth a darn after water intrusion.

For me.. I think its a wash.

Yea, Aluminum framing doesn't rot like wood... but a water leak will damage the finishing of the trailer. The interior panels, carpet, potentially the laminated construction...

Aluminum doesn't make the trailer immune to water damage.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

wood vs aluminum ??
hot topic.

NUWA makers of HitchHiker 5th wheel trailers says this about the subject;

Why doesn't NuWa use an all aluminum structure like popular Indiana manufacturers?

** 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. **

Wood vs aluminum sidewall construction both have their positives and negatives. I've owned both. If I had a choice between a wood frame and a metal frame RV I would choose the nice quiet wood frame unit.

wood framing, rubber roofs, not for me.
bumpy

I have a wood framed trailer that has all the surfaces covered with aluminum (sides, top, bottom). None of the aluminum has hardened and failed. When I got it, there were leaks and some of the framing was shot. I repaired it and it is all working well. The trailer is a '71 Starcraft, 45 years old.

Wood is no more prone to "rattle" loose than aluminum. Wood is much easier to work on. Wood rot is THE big disadvantage. But it's easy to avoid with routine preventive maintenance.

My dad used to say, " When I was a kid they would use lumber like that for hog fuel, they wouldn't want anyone to think lumber like that came out of their mill", the biggest problem with wood is the quality of lumber is pretty poor these days.