you are exactly right, I used to weld roofs for a company, and I welded everything like you said, and after the first ones I done, I got the jobs from then on until I got hurt, I don't know what happened after I quit, but the company didn't want to lose me, but my health comes before a job, and it's been downhill ever since
Clearly, your pick up body is very well designed and very well constructed using high quality materials and construction techniques! Intended for the harsh life on a commercial pick up truck you have ensured that your body has the ability to more than cope with the demands placed upon it long after the base vehicles have been retired. The difference between that camper structure and your construction methods was that the camper was literally thrown together using the cheapest materials and labour, whereas yours was the exact opposite. Its great to see a manufacturer take pride in their professionalism and you certainly have a lot to be proud about. Subscribed.
Years ago I was into dune buggies and playing in the sand dunes, a few aluminum buggies were produced, they were beautiful polished light weight works of art. The problem was they didn’t hold up and the welded joints would break from the stress and flexing. There wasn’t enough shear, and you can take an Airstream and rivet thin curved aluminum sheets and they have an amazing amount of shear. Another interesting aluminum structure is the Monocoque body, used in race cars and aircraft, and the Kimbo slide in truck campers.
@jlr3636 great points. There is no such thing as "the best way and best material". It is all about the mission of the unit and the final integrated methods used. In this case, this is an excellent execution of materials, and build methods for the purpose and demand these units will see.
As someone who has had 3 different rv units, I can confidently say that rvs are complete junk when it comes to fit, finish, and construction techniques. Way overpriced, especially if buying new. Buy used, cheaper and someone else has already dealt with the warranty issues.
Bottom line is intended use and workmanship. On the repair unit, your solution using wood members was based on not being able to re-weld the aluminum with the interior intact. If fabricated competently, wood is not needed. Did I get that right?
Correct. But further, you cannot rely on that little amount of framing to have any strength putting it back together. This build method relies entirely on bonded strength, not structural strength from the aluminum. So that is why the wood.
Had a tree hit the corner of my camperit was alum.framed bent whole bedroom striped it to subfoor rebuilt with cut down spruce for frame used 1/4 plywood foamboard and covered with fiberglass seemed to be more rigid than original but probably wouldn't try it again it was a lot o work
Great rundown. Where can I find a fabricator in the southeast who can make a quality custom trailer? These dudes are a dime a dozen and quality is trash.
![Correction - Truth about Aluminum Framing [part 2]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cy4mChKypVk/mqdefault.jpg)
you are exactly right, I used to weld roofs for a company, and I welded everything like you said, and after the first ones I done, I got the jobs from then on until I got hurt, I don't know what happened after I quit, but the company didn't want to lose me, but my health comes before a job, and it's been downhill ever since
Clearly, your pick up body is very well designed and very well constructed using high quality materials and construction techniques!
Intended for the harsh life on a commercial pick up truck you have ensured that your body has the ability to more than cope with the demands placed upon it long after the base vehicles have been retired.
The difference between that camper structure and your construction methods was that the camper was literally thrown together using the cheapest materials and labour, whereas yours was the exact opposite.
Its great to see a manufacturer take pride in their professionalism and you certainly have a lot to be proud about.
Subscribed.
Years ago I was into dune buggies and playing in the sand dunes, a few aluminum buggies were produced, they were beautiful polished light weight works of art. The problem was they didn’t hold up and the welded joints would break from the stress and flexing. There wasn’t enough shear, and you can take an Airstream and rivet thin curved aluminum sheets and they have an amazing amount of shear. Another interesting aluminum structure is the Monocoque body, used in race cars and aircraft, and the Kimbo slide in truck campers.
@jlr3636 great points. There is no such thing as "the best way and best material". It is all about the mission of the unit and the final integrated methods used. In this case, this is an excellent execution of materials, and build methods for the purpose and demand these units will see.
As someone who has had 3 different rv units, I can confidently say that rvs are complete junk when it comes to fit, finish, and construction techniques. Way overpriced, especially if buying new. Buy used, cheaper and someone else has already dealt with the warranty issues.
Bottom line is intended use and workmanship. On the repair unit, your solution using wood members was based on not being able to re-weld the aluminum with the interior intact. If fabricated competently, wood is not needed. Did I get that right?
Correct. But further, you cannot rely on that little amount of framing to have any strength putting it back together. This build method relies entirely on bonded strength, not structural strength from the aluminum. So that is why the wood.
Had a tree hit the corner of my camperit was alum.framed bent whole bedroom striped it to subfoor rebuilt with cut down spruce for frame used 1/4 plywood foamboard and covered with fiberglass seemed to be more rigid than original but probably wouldn't try it again it was a lot o work
It sure is a lot of work! Would integrated with aluminum is an excellent way to repair. Will last for a long time if you do it right.
Great rundown. Where can I find a fabricator in the southeast who can make a quality custom trailer? These dudes are a dime a dozen and quality is trash.