RV Sidewall Construction Comparison Video

[HBarlow]

I found this video while browsing an RV industry news site. I don't own a Coachman and never have owned one although I believe they are one of the better brands in the market. The video illustrates the differences between what is called "stick and tin" wall contruction and laminated fiberglass walls. It was apparently prepared by Coachmen or by a marketing firm they employ and certainly is intended to push their products but if anyone is considering the purchase of a travel trailer and wondering whether to buy a lightweight trailer with aluminum skin or a heavier laminated fiberglass unit this could be interesting. I suggest ignoring the Coachman brand issue, just concentrate on the construction methods.



RV Industry News | Video Player > Coachmen shows which sidewalls are toughest

 

[Bill Stockard]

I wonder about the video showing the aluminum siding. I've owned several RVs with aluminum siding and they all had a 1/4" plywood "backer board" behind the aluminum siding. In the video, the don't show any "backer board" behind the aluminum siding. Do they really build RVs this way?



Bill

 

[LGregory]

Their laminated sidewalls must be better made than the ones on my Cardinal (Forest River).

 

[HBarlow]

Bill,



Yes, the Airstreams and Avion I owned were built that way and I believe the Fleetwood trailers I owned back in the early '70s were that way.



I don't know about all but the aluminum-skinned Keystones are built that way also. I had a front sheet blow off the front of a new Keystone I was pulling when I left Pendleton a couple years ago pulling into a very strong headwind and all that was under it was pink fiberglass insulation, skinny sticks, and the luan inner wall.



I think all the aluminum skinned entry level trailers are the same.

 

[Superdawg]

Hmmm... I have a 2000 Jayco Eagle fiver, I wonder what's under the aluminum... .

 

[HBarlow]

Bring it down to west Texas and park it outside for a couple weeks. One of the hailstorms we're currently experiencing may answer the question for you.



My son-in-law had my old Travel Supreme fiver parked in Seminole, TX two nights ago where his job superintendent was using it as temp home and office for a construction project. A severe hailstorm beat the roof vents out of it, destroyed the a/c, beat all the clearance lights and trim moldings off of it, and severely damaged the metal radiused transition panel between roof and sidewalls. The fiberglass sidewalls and endcaps were unmarked.