My history with structural integrity of RVs has been long and hard learned.
But first, let me remind you that an RV, whether new or used, should not be purchased for any reason other than an adventure. It is not a financial investment! It is not an automobile! It’s a vehicle for adventure, whether full-time or part-time. As you’ll see at the end of this narrative on framing, Connie and I use RVs as part of our philosophy for life. The money and energy you spend to buy the right RV, and to keep it fit for your adventures, will be a necessary part of those expenditures. So read on and learn. It’s all part of those wonderful years ahead.
Framing matters. A good structure in a home on wheels, like a good structure in a home on a foundation, will provide a sense of security, maintain the RV's value, and reduce frustration. But to get to a place where all of this can happen, you must remember that all RVs are not created equal. The differences are often dramatic – as I’ll try to explain.
rThis aluminum-framed trailer has a well-designed roof structure but still lots of wood. If the workmanship is as good as the design, it should last more than the 20-year life span of the average RV without structural failure.
This wood-trussed trailer may work well if the overall workmanship is good and the materials are well chosen. But notice that the wood used has many imperfections and that it’s doubled only where the air conditioning is to be installed. As good as the design looks, I would not expect this to be a long-lived RV.
Notice that this well-advertised aluminum-framed trailer has 2 deficiencies. The framing is minimal and the axle is in the center of the trailer—a wheelbase that could make it unsafe to pull.
This fifth wheel is well framed with what looks to be solid 2X2 inch tube-aluminum studs and rafters.
This aluminum-framed trailer had such a poor wall design that it started to crack while in its infancy. Still the word “aluminum” helped to sell many units.
If fastened correctly with lots of screws and glue, this wood-framed trailer should last 20 years and more.
The combination of wood and aluminum framing helps nothing if the roof leaks due to poor workmanship. However, if well designed, it could help structurally and the wood framing on the sides makes it easy to solidly fasten the interior.
My first trailer - which I towed from Massachusetts to Florida in the late fifties with my first family - had wood framing with Masonite skin. Then in the sixties I built my first motor home from an all-steel 1950 Air Force bus. This bus later took Connie and me throughout the western states as fulltimers during the 1970s. We towed a wood-framed travel trailer that Connie used as a photo lab - which we still have. It worked out so well that we built another motor home from a larger school bus and continued the lifestyle from California to Washington.
1950 Converted Air Force Bus towing Connie's photo lab.
1955 Converted Crown School Bus that will last forever.
Then in the early eighties we parked the big custom to use as a temporary home base, and decided to buy a smaller and only slightly used commercial motor home for travel. It was wood framed, aluminum skinned, much lighter, and very modern inside. This motor home became a lesson in the value of structural integrity - because it had none. Within a few thousand miles and a few added years in the Northwest weather, it literally came apart at the seams. We eventually practically gave it away to someone who thought they could fix the deficiencies.
This 1970s motor home, modern at the time,was a short-lived crackerbox.
Later we purchased a smaller aluminum-framed and aluminum-skinned class C that had great structural integrity—as proven by a large tree that fell on its roof years later.
A powerful storm brought down this large fir tree with a mighty crash. Had this RV been built without structural integrity, the tree would have sliced right through it.
The starboard rear window suffered the most damage. The inside rear cabinets were crushed but stayed fastened to the framing.
These experiences, along with extensive studies into hundreds of RV accidents during the past three decades, taught me that design, workmanship, and materials need to be considered carefully when buying an RV. It taught me that if you leave one of these qualities out, you’ll pay the price down the road. And, that price can be high—often much too high.
Hello I was researching on how to do a roof replacement because I have a camper that needs a whole new roof including the trusses how can I make or purchase trusses for my camper? I would like to be possibly an aluminum are they might be lighter and stronger
Leanna Delone
August 18, 2022
I’m planning to have a custom built THOW with the foundation being a used U-Haul truck.
I have decided on my insulation, and your experience has made all the difference in getting me off the fence and use aluminum framing. And I am hoping welding is not required, but I will cross that bridge when I get there.
Thank you for your assistance!!!
Brian
August 18, 2022
Thanks for your knowledge, it’s helping me rethink what I will be buying in the near future.
Kassidy
August 18, 2022
Hello! My partner and I are currently doing a trailer rebuild and would love any advice that you are willing to share. We want to use metal studs to save on weight and we do not know how to weld aluminum. We are first-time builders and it sounds like you know your stuff. Please email me if you are open to some trailer-building discussions. Thanks!
Ed
August 18, 2022
Hello I was researching on how to do a roof replacement because I have a camper that needs a whole new roof including the trusses how can I make or purchase trusses for my camper? I would like to be possibly an aluminum are they might be lighter and stronger