Caravan Frames

Papou · Senior Member

Caravan Frames

blaze · Guru

My choice would be total fiberglass, that's how they make good boats and the get a lot rougher ride than a van and don't sink
cheers
blaze
ps
all mounted on a galv chassis

Radar · Guru

Hope you get some interesting replys not dramas with either.

I like a wood frame caravan, I do tend to be a bit rough with them (I have only owed one) going down any road I chose unseal or sealed, only thing that changers is the speed.

Our caravan repairer found some wood rot in the caravan when we had him check a water leak caused though poor workmanship in the building possess, easy repair and at the sometime van was fully resealed ensuring the overall longevity of the caravan.

To me this is a plus to a wood framed aluminium clad caravan.

Hope this helps.

Ron-D · Guru

I have a wood framed caravan like most people do and am very happy with it, but if I was one that hit the corrugated roads and the rough stuff,I would spend a lot more cash and buy one with independent suspension,and aluminium frame,cupboards screwed into wood will only take so much punishment ,cupboards on an alloh frame support would be much tougher in my view.

but if you don't get your jollies on the rough stuff,my opinion here and I could be wrong,save yourself a lot of cash and buy a stock caravan they stand up to normal wear and tear and are just as nice inside and out...

-- Edited by Ron-D on Friday 28th of October 2016 03:57:35 PM

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

The best?
Fibre glass sandwich panel. No frame. Superior insulation.

Cheers,
Peter

macka17 · Guru

Providing the glass has enough mat/tape etc in mix
and layered to thickness to take the stress.

I've seen 4in thick yacht hull that you could put your fist through
We used a hammer (56ft Cheoy Lee, A famous name) on the slips.

and I had a less than 1\2 in thick bottom, Yacht hull yrs ago.
that bounced on the rocks in the leads.overnight.
Then towed to beach next tide, without a leak.
Heavy weather. rudder snapped off inside leads. whoops.

Same as Timber/Ally/steel.
It's NOT what.
but how (it was made) . and by whom..
Personally I wouldn't have a plastic boat or caravan.

Timber and ally cladding. constructed properly and to scantlings
are super strong. will take impact and vibrations better than most.
And probably easiest to repair back to new again.
There was a Glass panel van rolled a few yrs ago that I saw.
it just disintegrated. Dissolved in front of your eyes.
They have to have ribs or framework moulded in with them
to stiffen flat areas.

That's why the Jayco's were going back to factory with collapsed in roofs.
and walls cracking out at stress points.
Did I mention stress cracks?.
If a glass van body was built in situ to strengths req'd for the stress of off road.
They'd be heavier, and more exxy than the ones used nowadays.

That's why they not around much.
The BEST mfg's still use Timber and ally sheets interlocking.

9

Hetho · Senior Member

Hi Papou.

Agree with Peter, Fibreglass composite panels are excellent. Keep the cool in and the heat out as well as great soundproofing.

However; there is one downside, "Drumming" of the aircon when the compressor kicks in. Mine is mounted centrally in the roof; a Truma.

Regards.

Hetho.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

This company makes sandwich panels specifically for building RVs.
vanglass.homestead.com/index.html
They supply panels to RV builders (including several caravan makers) and DIYers. We are very happy DIY customers.
Despite what some say, the finished product can be both stronger and lighter than conventional construction methods.

Check the specs...... http://vlp.homestead.com/Caravan.html

Cheers,
Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Friday 28th of October 2016 10:06:46 PM

aussietraveller · Guru

We own a fibreglass van that is 11 years old with an alluminium frame and there are no cracks or stress fractures and we have travelled over 80,000 klm with some dirt roadtravel but no off road.

The issue is more about how you look after your van and the regular maintenance as well as being aware of the limitations of the van. Each of us have our preferances on frame materials and with Wood and Alluminium having been around for many years I would be happy to own either.