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RV Construction A little construction knowledge can go a long way. One of the variables you'll be faced with is how your new RV is constructed. The seemingly contradictory information you receive from the different salesmen can be turned into solid purchase information that can make your RV buy a better selection. You should be aware of a basic detail here: When it comes to price, you usually get what you pay for in the area of RV construction. If you're looking at a very low-priced unit that's also loaded with features and accessories, the cost had to come out somewhere to keep the bottom line in control. That cost is often saved by cutting construction corners. That said, you should also keep in mind that any construction technique can deliver years of satisfactory service if the work is well done. For example, the lowest-cost construction method is wood framing with fiberglass insulation, often with aluminum skin outside and decorative lauan paneling inside. This assembly technique is inexpensive, fast, durable and requires very few specialized tools at the factory, all of which are reasons why low-priced RVs are almost always constructed this way. However, you also find some very good RVs built with virtually the same materials, a testament to the technique's quality potential. Many medium- and higher-priced rigs are built with aluminum framing. Apart from light weight and great strength, the chief advantage of an aluminum frame is that it does not rot if it gets wet repeatedly, which is the main potential long-term problem with wood framing. Building an aluminum-framed vehicle usually requires specialized tools and construction skills in the factory, plus the material is more expensive, which helps explain the use of aluminum in higher-cost RVs. Many RVs priced above entry level are built using laminated-structure techniques. This system assembles, for example, the wall framing, exterior skin, insulation and interior skin into a single unit using contact adhesives. The parts are joined by vacuum pressure or mechanical pinch-roller methods. Lamination has the advantage of eliminating visible exterior fasteners and it produces very strong wall, floor or roof assemblies. However, delamination, the rare occasion when the adhesive fails, was a problem in the past, and can be difficult to repair. Modern construction adhesives have all but eliminated this problem. Most laminated-construction RVs are higher-priced models, but at the same time, many top-quality RVs are built using non-laminated techniques. Roofs can be aluminum, fiberglass or EPDM rubber. Each material works well as a roof covering and can deliver long, reliable service. Interior cabinets feature such materials as vinyl-clad waferboard, particleboard or plywood; others have solid-wood door framing and inexpensive paneling, or perhaps genuine hardwood is used throughout. The cabinet construction material generally corresponds to the RV's price level, but again, even the least-expensive materials can be a good value if it's built well . Regardless of the construction materials used, many questions about the RV assembly issue can be answered by your own power of observation when shopping for a new unit. How the factory assembles all the familiar materials makes the difference between a good value, or just buying a cheap RV. Look past the glitter and the new fabric to really see how the vehicle is built. Are visible joints tight and accurate? Are flat surfaces truly flat and smooth? Look under the wheelwells; are they well sealed, with cleanly detailed edges where the exterior skin meets the wheelwell? Pull out a couple of drawers and look back inside the cabinets. How are wires and plumbing lines installed? Did the factory workers drill holes where wires or pipes route through a paneled bulkhead, or did they simply break a hole with the claws of a hammer. Are grommets used where the lines pass through a metal surface? These points can make a big difference. Checking these details can tell you a lot about the vehicle you're examining. Faced with similar features and construction materials, an RV that's well-assembled by people who care about the quality of their work can be a great buy, and worth a whole lot more than a pile of junk that's slapped together in the interest of making a fast buck. If you take your time with your shopping and vehicle inspection, you can find a great RV value -- no matter what it's made of. -- Jeff Johnston Back to the top
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