Wood Frame walls

Does anyone know a definitive answer of when wood frame walls were phased out. I am a prosepctive buyer and looking to buy a used TM. I would prefer one with the aluminum walls to prevent any chance of rot.



Thanks,


mike

[rtcassel]

Originally Posted by bso8870

Does anyone know a definitive answer of when wood frame walls were phased out. I am a prosepctive buyer and looking to buy a used TM. I would prefer one with the aluminum walls to prevent any chance of rot.

http://trailmanorowners.com/forum/sh...ad.php?p=13858

So basically after '99 the only structural wood left is the plywood that's laminated below the top floor skin, followed by a couple of inches of foam and then the bottom skin. This plywood keeps the floor firm. It should be pretty weather proof.

The link you attached says that 99 and up is aluminum frame in one post. Another post states 2000 and up. Does anyone know which one year the aluminum started?

[Bill]

If you don't get a definitive answer, it should be easy to check. Set up the camper, remove a couple of screws from the lower trim on the shell. Examine the screws. Are there little bits of wood adhering to them, or are they shiny as if it just came out of aluminum? Now get a flashlight, and peek into the holes. You should be able to either see the wood or aluminum framing member. Then get an ice pick or something similar, and probe around the edge of the hole. The ice pick should dislodge some wood crumbs if there is wood present, or foam crumbs if the pick is encountering foam just inside the hole.

If you don't get a definitive answer at one hole, try another.

Bill

That was my next question. You answered with your post. Thank you.

[rtcassel]

Originally Posted by larsdennert

So basically after '99 the only structural wood left is the plywood that's laminated below the top floor skin, followed by a couple of inches of foam and then the bottom skin. This plywood keeps the floor firm. It should be pretty weather proof.

The last picture on http://trailmanor.com/WebDocs/Showro...nstruction.htm shows the wood in the floor construction.

On mine it felt like I drilled through plywood but the picture shows structural wood members. Interesting.