Wood vs Aluminum framed roofs.

[babock]

Looking at a couple models of Coachmen and Rockwood. The Rockwood has an aluminum framed roof vs a wood framed roof on the Coachmen. Other than going up on the roof to install solar panels, I don't plan on spending any other time up there. Is there a huge difference in that we should pick one over the other because of this type of roof?

Thanks in advance.
Great Forum

[Passin_Thru]

Boles Aero, Airstream Scotties, Mission, Featherlite, Advantage, Bet you've seen them and din't know what you were looking at.

[babock]

spoon059 wrote:

RCMAN46 wrote:
The wood truss roofs have a plywood outer cover before the rubber roof is installed.

Does anyone know what they use on the aluminum truss roofs?

Same plywood. The trusses won't rot, but the roof decking will rot just as fast as it would if their were wooden trusses.

That is interesting! Makes it sound like the only advantage is indeed a weight saving.

[spoon059]

RCMAN46 wrote:
The wood truss roofs have a plywood outer cover before the rubber roof is installed.

Does anyone know what they use on the aluminum truss roofs?

Same plywood. The trusses won't rot, but the roof decking will rot just as fast as it would if their were wooden trusses.

[RCMAN46]

Harold Fairbanks II wrote:

The wood truss roofs have a plywood outer cover before the rubber roof is installed.

Does anyone know what they use on the aluminum truss roofs?

[Lantley]

Wood will always be stronger and will be a better insulator.
Aluminum with always resist rot and decay more but will not be as strong.
Both are adequate for as RV roof joist

[RandomAbstract]

Here is a video showing 36 people climbing onto the roof of an Arctic Fox truck camper. That is about 5,000 pounds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHXC4suIYhw

[Harold_Fairbank]

[theoldwizard1]

theoldwizard1 wrote:

proxim2020 wrote:
There's not a huge difference between to two. Both hold up well over time and both make for good walkable roofs. Aluminum is mostly used for weight savings. Rot resistance isn't much of an advantage considering that the aluminum frame is still sandwiched between a wood deck and a wood ceiling.

I am still surprised that the only TT I have seen WITHOUT a wood floor is from CampLite ! A rotten roof is easy to replace. Rot in the walls, more difficult, but still repairable to near new. Rot in the floor and can be patched at best, but your TT is now on its last legs.

proxim2020 wrote:
The roof system of either one wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

CONCUR ! Although I do like arched roofs. No chance for water to puddle.

[theoldwizard1]

proxim2020 wrote:
There's not a huge difference between to two. Both hold up well over time and both make for good walkable roofs. Aluminum is mostly used for weight savings. Rot resistance isn't much of an advantage considering that the aluminum frame is still sandwiched between a wood deck and a wood ceiling.

I am still surprised that the only TT I have seen WITHOUT a wood floor is from CampLite ! A rotten roof is easy to replace. Rot in the walls, more difficult, but do able. Rot in the floor and can be patched at best, but your TT is now on its last legs.

proxim2020 wrote:
The roof system of either one wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

CONCUR ! Although I do like arched roofs. No chance for water to puddle.

[drsteve]

As long as both are walkable, I don't think there's a lot of difference. If water penetrates the roof, it's going to be a problem regardless.

[NWnative]

I am in the Aluminum camp.......

[Community Alumni]

There's not a huge difference between to two. Both hold up well over time and both make for good walkable roofs. Aluminum is mostly used for weight savings. Rot resistance isn't much of an advantage considering that the aluminum frame is still sandwiched between a wood deck and a wood ceiling. The roof system of either one wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.

[Lynnmor]

Aluminum will conduct heat outside and possibly cause condensation inside.

[TurnThePage]

I wouldn't sweat it. They both have advantages and disadvantages. An un-addressed water leak is going to cause serious damage to either one. A little preventive maintenance, and they will both perform well. How many millions of homes in the US have wood framed roofs?