Quality of Construction

Quality (either good or bad) comes in all shapes and sizes and is found throughout the RV in every material or piece of workmanship used in its construction, from the tires to the axle and from the wood used in the cabinetry to the latches on each cupboard. While I’m not going to get into too much technical information here, you should have some idea of how the RV you select is constructed.

Just like the quality of the items and construction you would find in your home, there are certain places where it is appropriate to skimp and other places where you should not. Of course, safety should never be compromised.

For the most part, the quality of the features inside your RV is a matter of choice and budget. But what about the basic construction of an RV? What is it made of, and how does it hold up in different conditions? Which are the best materials for the construction of an RV?

Which Is Best…Aluminum, Wood, or Steel Construction?

There are three types of material used in RVs: aluminum, steel, and wood. Which is best? Well, different materials are used for different purposes, and there are definite advantages and disadvantages to each of them. Let’s look at them one-by-one:

»        Wood is generally used for Travel Trailer coaches and Fifth Wheels that are built for full-timing use, although some vacation-class manufacturers still use wood. A well-designed, wood-constructed unit has a high insulation factor. The only problem with wood-framed RVs is the potential for rot if the roof or wall leaks. Generally, well-built wood-structured RVs with good reliability ratings last 20 to 30 years.

»        Aluminum is used primarily in vacation and snowbird class trailers. It is very durable if the welding or fastening is adequate. It is especially durable when a good vacuum-bonding process is used. The number one problem with aluminum is that it's difficult to insulate from extreme temperatures. Of course, an aluminum-framed RV can easily come apart at the seams if it isn't put together correctly.

»        Steel is generally used in motorhome walls, floors, and roof structures. However, do not be fooled into thinking that because it is steel, the motorhome will hold together better in a collision. The steel generally used in standard-built motorhomes is very thin and is not crashworthy. Exceptions are the higher priced motorhomes built on commercial bus chassis. Also, like aluminum, steel is difficult to heat or cool in extreme temperatures.

While it’s important to consider the materials that are used in the construction of an RV, there are also other important considerations. According to JD Gallant, “the material used in RV construction is not as important as the workmanship.” JD Gallant is the founder of the RV Consumer Group and www.rv.org, as well as the author of many RV books and articles, including “How to Select, Inspect, and Buy an RV.” He got his start in the industry as an RV salesman many years ago and is now a consumer activist.

So how do you know which manufacturers have the highest standards of workmanship? Mr. Gallant and the RV Consumer Group have put together a rating system for RV manufacturers, and they currently rate over 100 RV manufacturers annually.

Jeff Radich is a professional research writer and active RV enthusiast.