Steve_in_29
29 Palms (SEMPER FI), CA 92277
Senior Member
Joined: 01/08/2004
View Profile
|
SoCalDesertRider wrote:Take also into account, that a welded steel frame handles bending, twisting and oscillating/vibrating forces with greater longevity than a comparable welded aluminum frame. The steel frame has less tendency to crack in the heat affected zone next to the weld than the aluminum. In my business, I get a fair amount of work repairing cracks in welded aluminum aparatus.
When subjected to bend test, a welded steel joint will deform the base metal before the weld will fail, if properly welded. In aluminum bend test, it cracks at the weld, therefore an aluminum frame benefits from additional bracing that the steel frame doesn't need.
It is also more expensive to fabricate in aluminum than in steel, due to higher cost of material and more expensive and time consuming manufacturing cost of welding aluminum. If I were to build a camper frame from aluminum I would likely use rivets and/or bolts than welding so the frame can have some freedom to flex without failure.
I don't dis-like aluminum, I like working with all metals, but there are strengths and weaknesses of using different metal types in different applications which must be weighed before producing a complicated structure in any material type.
Welded steel framed campers have proven their strength and reliability over years of use and are somewhat common. Welded aluminum framed campers are not common. Not to say someone hasn't made one that is still intact after years of use, I just haven't seen or heard of any. Not that I'm a camper expert by any means. Haha.
Anyways, just a few ideas to think about. I will give you that aluminum is harder to weld properly then steel and that it might be weaker at the welds (though I will check this part with our welders at work) but we are talking TCs here and not the Space Shuttle. With the limited arc of movement the joints face during flexing in a TC and the additional bracing provided by the bonding of the inner/outer layers of a wall I seriously doubt we are facing many broken welds let alone catastrophic failures here.
Other then limited use in some custom campers (which are only loosely based on a TC and in truth have more in common with a cargo box) where has steel framing been "common" in the TC world? Aluminum frames "are not common" in TCs?? Have you somehow missed most of the last decade in the TC industry? Almost every manufacturer is using aluminum framing now.
2007 F350,SC,LB,4x4,6.0/Auto,35" tires,16.5 Warn,Buckstop bumpers
2007 Outfitter Apex9.5,270W solar,SolarBoost2000e,2 H2K's,2KW inverter,2 20lb LP on slide out tray,4 Lifeline AGM bats,Tundra fridge
95 Bounder 28' ClassA sold
91 Jamboree 21' ClassC sold
|
Tiger4x4RV
San Diego County, California
Senior Member
Joined: 03/14/2007
View Profile
|
The perfect camper:
4x4
very comfortable cab
inexpensive
indestructible
impervious to scratches and leaks
very very small outside but huge inside
good to look at
no maintenance necessary
high MPG
doesn't sway or bounce on rough roads
full bathroom
high-capacity tanks of all types
comfortable furnishings
lots of windows
Did I miss anything? :-)
|
kylekai
Sandy Ego, CA
Full Member
Joined: 09/12/2006
View Profile
 Offline
|
Tiger4x4RV wrote:The perfect camper:
....
Did I miss anything? :-)
Affordability and availability. 
|
Tiger4x4RV
San Diego County, California
Senior Member
Joined: 03/14/2007
View Profile
|
Inexpensive equals affordability in my mind, but I did leave out availability. Thanks.
|
JeffPritchard
San Diego California
Senior Member
Joined: 07/13/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Tiger4x4RV wrote:Tiger4x4RV wrote:
The perfect camper:
....
Did I miss anything? :-)
- impervious to rodents when parked
- can be loaded/unloaded in gale force winds
- doesn't strain the knees of a fat guy getting in and out
jp
Jeff Pritchard in San Diego
2008 Lance 1191 on 2008 F-350 DRW 4X4
Wilderness Photographer - Click here to see my wilderness images
|
|
|
SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/14/2003
View Profile
|
Steve_in_29 wrote:Other then limited use in some custom campers (which are only loosely based on a TC and in truth have more in common with a cargo box) where has steel framing been "common" in the TC world? Aluminum frames "are not common" in TCs?? Have you somehow missed most of the last decade in the TC industry? Almost every manufacturer is using aluminum framing now. Most work-type campers and frame-mounted as well as in-bed truck bodies are steel framed.
You got me on new camper construction in aluminium framing. Most I see are wood framed or composite fiberglass/other resin-type construction. Which brands are now using welded aluminum tube frames?
92F350 CrewCab 4x4 351/C6
LoadNGo service body
69Bronco ATC250R CR500
20' BigTex flatbed carhauler
B&W TurnoverBall g-neck Curt Magnum rr DrawTite ft
HD springs Rancho9000s Bilsteins poly sway bushings
285/75-16E BFG AT on 16x8 Stocktons
4.56's & Lock-Rite rear
|
SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 12/14/2003
View Profile
|
JeffPritchard wrote:- impervious to rodents when parked I think we ALL want that! Good luck though, unless its ALL metal, rats will still enjoy partying in it.
|
JeffPritchard
San Diego California
Senior Member
Joined: 07/13/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
SoCalDesertRider wrote:JeffPritchard wrote:- impervious to rodents when parked I think we ALL want that! Good luck though, unless its ALL metal, rats will still enjoy partying in it.
They basically ruined my 2003 small Class A. Next weekend I'm going to tear apart the whole dash area to see if I can find where they are getting in. I've taken to calling it the "rat mobile". Just basically hoping I can bring it back to life and replace enough stuff and eventually pay it down to a point where I can sell it for what I still owe. Pretty much the worst purchase I've ever made in my life.
So far, knock on wood, the new Lance seems to be rat proof. At least if they do find a way in to that, I can actually get to all parts of the outside, and fix/strengthen it; so at least I have a fighting chance. With a class A, there are too many places you just can't get to.
jp
|
kcabpilot
CA
Senior Member
Joined: 04/07/2008
View Profile
|
An interesting subject but really, the original concept of a modular slide in camper is not generally compatable with off road use. For use on really rugged terrain you need something that is integral to the vehicle or completely seperate. I can see pop-up trailer on a fully articulated hitch of some sort. The basics for off roading are weight and center of gravity. Top heaviness is something that can't be tolerated.
In the end everything is a compromise. A good off road RV is not going to replace the comfort and convienience of a good on road RV. Just like boats and airplanes. You can have a really good ski boat or a really good fishing boat - or you can have a fish & ski boat that isn't particularly good at either activity. With airplanes you could have a Zlin if pulling G's and doing Lombchevochs is your thing or you could have a Beaver if you'd rather haul 55 gallon drums into the bush.
1994 Lance 990 on 1997 F350 PSD Dually
We also have a 'truck' that FLYS
Our 2008 trip to The Canadian Rockies
|
RobertRyan
Australia
Senior Member
Joined: 03/16/2008
View Profile
 Online
|
A few more Ute Campers from Australia. I certainty know there are many more:
A popup on a car Ute
Mercedes Motorhome towing Landrover with camper attached.
|
|
|
