Wood frame Walls vs. Aluminum

[MorMJS]

After a little over 1 year with our trailer our expanding family has us considering up sizing. Some of the new trailers we are looking at are wood framed walls, so what would be the benefit or downside compared to our aluminum framed walls we currently own?
We have looked at some floorplans from Nash, Artic fox, Jayco, and Timber ridge.

[MegaWonder]

Same thoughts as Richy2. The reason I went with 2010 Evergreen Ever-Lite. 2012 and earlier Evergreen Everlites did not use wood in its structure. In 2013 wood substrate was added to the roof structure. In the past, our family has experienced wood rot issues in professionally maintained Holiday Rambler RV...Skylark trailer etc. Saw what my parents went through...I will try to avoid the same. Saw the demo videos of Evergreen and at Hershey, PA RV show.. I was sold on the Evergreen construction process and materials used, no wood to rot, no/low off gases, philosophy.

[richy2]

Tequila wrote:
Probably nothing. If either leak you are in trouble. Floors are all wood.

Not all floors are wood. I chose a new 2010 Evergreen Everlight trailer with NO wood in the construction including floor and roof, all composite. I got sick of dealing with trailers that leak and many time when the leak becomes apparent, the damage is already done. I properly maintain my equipment, but still have had issues with leaks, the exception being the Everlight which has had zero problems in the five years I owned it.

[rbpru]

In most cases you buy a TT because of the floorplan and features. Wood or metal stud are just the particular construction method the manufacturer has selected for that model.

[Tequila]

filrupmark wrote:
I was talking to NuWA -Hitchhiker. They said they use wood because it is not temperature conductive like aluminum and said that aluminum transfers cold and heat to the inside of the unit. He also said that cool mornings and with daytime warming causes condensation on the aluminum framing inside the walls. With that said I still own a aluminum framed fifth wheel.

That is why you should visit a factory before buying and make sure they bond Styrofoam insulation to the joists with no air gaps..

[JIMNLIN]

I've owned both used unit and had to take what it was. If I ever could afford to order a new unit that I liked it will be a wood framed unit. I've found their warmer and quieter and less moisture problems in cold weather camping or from actually living in one for a winter with temps down to zero.

Just to add to filrupmark comment about NU-WA this from their website;

*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.

NuWa uses an aluminum substructure in the sidewalls and ends of the coach only. No aluminum in the floors or attics, where metal promotes conduction of cold and moisture resulting in condensation.

90% of the walls are Blue Dow Structural Foam, rather than wood or aluminum. This creates a superior insulation and the only product with a guaranteed sidewall R Factor. (Water absorption in standard white foam reduces R Factor over time, and the use of Blue Dow Structural Foam eliminates this problem.)

NuWa's aluminum substructure sidewall is actually a "hybrid" wall, as we core fill the aluminum with wood in those areas where additional strength is required, because aluminum will not hold a screw. Not so with the lower priced brands. With NuWa's combined use of wood and aluminum substructure, you get a superior product because of NuWa's unique Blue Dow foam vacu-bond process, which makes the sidewalls virtually resistant to water penetration.

[carringb]

I had a wood-framed trailer (corrugated AL siding) from Jayco that was not very sturdy, and required some extensive warranty and driveway repairs to salvage it.

My weekend warrior was also wood-framed, with bonded gel-goat fiberglass. It was very sturdy. In fact, the body seemed stronger than the frame.

My current Ourdoors RV (AF/Nash sister company) is Aluminum-framed with bonded fiberglass. The body seems the stiffest. Nothing ever works loose, there's no sawdust working its way out from behind fiberglass. It does form condensation at the studs where the WW did not. ORV/Northwood use fir inside the structural aluminum frame, which makes it structurally better and probably helps a little with the insulating.

I still don't trust the weld/joint methods used by most of the big RV makers in their aluminum frames. But I won't own another Aluminum-sided trailer because its dents and punctures too easy when you drag it through the forest.

[Reedga]

I have owned both types (Jayco's) and currently own a aluminum frame trailer ( Jayco). We had no problems with the wood frame Jayco trailers, but I will agree it was harder to keep clean ( black streaks) and wax than the fiberglass with aluminum frame.
We live here in the mid west and with the wood frame trailer( aluminum sides ) I was always concerned about hale damage when bad storms approached where hale was reported. With the aluminum frame trailer I am not as concerned about the hale issue.
For the record if I were to purchase another new trailer I would go with the aluminum frame, fiber glass side.
G Reed.

[filrupmark]

I was talking to NuWA -Hitchhiker. They said they use wood because it is not temperature conductive like aluminum and said that aluminum transfers cold and heat to the inside of the unit. He also said that cool mornings and with daytime warming causes condensation on the aluminum framing inside the walls. With that said I still own a aluminum framed fifth wheel.

[RSD559]

I thought fiberglass trailers were heavier than tin trailers? Fiberglass is not a light weight material.

[floridacamper]

Weight

[spoon059]

Unless you go to a camper that has no wood (there is one manufacturer that is metal and composite... starts with an A...) then you will have problems if/when it leaks.

Wood can be fixed by an average homeowner. Metal framing will most often require someone with more knowledge and tools.

My advice is find a floorplan you like by a manufacturer that you have some confidence in. Inspect it well when you purchase and keep up with maintenance. If you can keep it covered, even better. Water is your enemy, no matter what it is made of. If you keep it covered, it will last a lot longer.

[myredracer]

If doing a lot of cold weather camping I would not get a wood framed one due to moisture getting into the walls, unless you ventilate it really well and/or use a dehumidifier.

If you plan on driving on a lot of rough roads, I would get a wood framed unit as the superstructure should have more give in it. An aluminum framed unit is very rigid and welds can fail like in the photo, which is more likely if you have a frame with the weak 3-piece welded/fabricated I-beam.

[n7bsn]

Passin Thru wrote:
Our Arctic Fox 31W is a steel framed trailer. The interior walls, floor joists and roof bows are wood and very strong. Thing is heavy too.

Em, all Northwoods have steel "under" framing. The upper depends. Northwoods started with wood (our 1999 was wood framed), slowly changed more and more models to aluminum walls. But even the 2016's still have wood trusses for the roof.

Oh, and they are a quite heavy.

[Passin_Thru]

Our Arctic Fox 31W is a steel framed trailer. The interior walls, floor joists and roof bows are wood and very strong. Thing is heavy too.