Composite Travel Trailer Frame

[Lanny]

Hi everyone... I am new to camping, and I am shopping for a trailer. There are so many out there, and a ton of options, and it is confusing me. I have found two models, but I'm not sure which to choose. The Oliver has a traditional aluminum frame.  The other uses a new type of frame made of composites with carbon fiber, which they say is 30% lighter.  Should I be concerned about this carbon fiber trailer? Do you think Oliver might move to this type of trailer? 

[routlaw]

I've never heard of a carbon fiber frame for RV's but given that thousands of road and mountain bikes are made from this material and given how they are ridden most likely a frame made of the same material would hold up well too. It's expensive to make, so one has to take that into consideration as well, meaning the price of admission for an RV made partly or whole with CC could become very pricey. Not that the Olivers are chump change, far from it.

[Snackchaser]

The Oliver’s fiberglass body is the majority of the 4900 lb dry weight.  I’d conservatively guess the aluminum frame is around 2000 lbs, not including the running gear and hardware.  So given their claim of 30% weight savings, it would save about 600 lbs.

However, I’d question whether that 30% weight savings is compared to a conventional steel frame.  If so, then you're looking at closer to 20% weight savings compared to aluminum, or 400 lbs . . . which is not significant IMO.

If the frame costs more to make, and it’s a selling point, then just make sure that corners are not being cut elsewhere.

Food for thought!  Cheers, Geoff