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

[Steph and Dud B]

Interesting. What's the new company with the CF frames?

[Lanny]

12 minutes ago, Steph and Dud B said:

Interesting. What's the new company with the CF frames?

Cortes Campers - Here is the link to their announcement  

[Steph and Dud B]

20 minutes ago, Lanny said:

Cortes Campers

Yep, familiar with them. Didn't know they were doing composite frames, though. I've been inside a couple of their trailers before, wasn't too impressed. Very small, but it looks like they've upped their game with a 22 footer now. Interesting. Surprised it's a single axle!

Edited 21 hours ago by Steph and Dud B

[Geronimo John]

I have extensive experienece with carbon fiber vs alloy aluminum for structural components under heavy load. Specifically in critical components such as hang glider frames.  I have many times put my life on the line with them in that sport.  They are strong and reliable... until they are not.  When they fail, the consequences are generally been dire.  This happened to two of my free flight friends. They died.  

The problem is that carbon fiber components are extremely difficult to inspect for tell-tale structural failure.  With aluminum, for most spars, we see micro crazing then small cracks.  They grow as the structural intregruity deteriorates.

I no longer fly or use carbon fiber for life safety applications.  The reason is that the inspection technology to ensure they are still safe to use is way way beyond what the average owner can do at home or in the field.

GJ

[Lanny]

4 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

I have extensive experienece with carbon fiber vs alloy aluminum for structural components under heavy load. Specifically in critical components such as hang glider frames.  I have many times put my life on the line with them in that sport.  They are strong and reliable... until they are not.  When they fail, the consequences are generally been dire.  This happened to two of my free flight friends. They died.  

The problem is that carbon fiber components are extremely difficult to inspect for tell-tale structural failure.  With aluminum, for most spars, we see micro crazing then small cracks.  They grow as the structural intregruity deteriorates.

I no longer fly or use carbon fiber for life safety applications.  The reason is that the inspection technology to ensure they are still safe to use is way way beyond what the average owner can do at home or in the field.

GJ

Thanks... This is one of my concerns.... How to know if the trailer is still safe to pull? If there are stress cracks, how can this be repaired? I think this would be beyong most RV owners or RV Service Departments to repair. 

[Lanny]

5 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

I have extensive experienece with carbon fiber vs alloy aluminum for structural components under heavy load. Specifically in critical components such as hang glider frames.  I have many times put my life on the line with them in that sport.  They are strong and reliable... until they are not.  When they fail, the consequences are generally been dire.  This happened to two of my free flight friends. They died.  

The problem is that carbon fiber components are extremely difficult to inspect for tell-tale structural failure.  With aluminum, for most spars, we see micro crazing then small cracks.  They grow as the structural intregruity deteriorates.

I no longer fly or use carbon fiber for life safety applications.  The reason is that the inspection technology to ensure they are still safe to use is way way beyond what the average owner can do at home or in the field.

GJ

Thanks... This is one of my concerns.... How to know if the trailer is still safe to pull? If there are stress cracks. How can this be repaired?

I think this would be beyond most RV owners' or RV Service departments' knowledge and skills to repair.  

I also wonder what the usable lifespan is compared to a traditional trailer.