Are aluminium caravan frames better than timber?

Caravancampingsales’ experts continue to answer your caravan, camper trailer and motorhome questions. Here are the latest lot...

Is aluminium framed caravan construction better than timber?

That depends. Aluminium wall framing has been adopted by many Queensland caravan manufacturers for its resistance to moisture and hence rotting in high-humidity tropical areas favoured by many customers.

Another major disadvantage of Meranti wood for caravan frames is it has little or no resistance to insects or decay. But again, if properly sealed, this is not an issue.

Timber rotting and insect infestation generally occurs where moisture is present. A properly sealed caravan, using the latest flexible and high quality products should not leak and Meranti framing is generally lighter than aluminium or steel framing and more easily repaired after a localised impact.

Victorian caravan manufacturers, who traditionally favour the use of warp-resistant Meranti timber framing, argue that its inherent flexibility is a major asset, as too rigid a wall structure is subject to stress fractures over a period of use, such as on an off-road caravan.

Remember that the UK's Morgan cars have used Ash timber body framing since 1909 due to its flexibility and workability, and this flexibility actually forms an extension of the cars’ suspension and hence ability to negotiate less than perfect road surfaces.

Aluminium wall-framing advocates point to Bushtracker, Spinifex and Kedron as proof of their argument, while Victorian examples including Evernew and Halen Vans are proof that Meranti timber framing is just as good.

That State timber/aluminium demarcation line is now blurred due to the fact that so many Melbourne-built, but Queensland-branded caravans are now being sold in the Sunshine State these days.

They also point to the fact that aluminium aircraft structures are subject to periodic inspection for cracks in order to pass and airworthiness test.

Meranti is also an easier material to work with than aluminium tube, requires less complex tools to assemble and hence is better suited to the casual labour that permeates the Australian caravan industry and its undisputed capital, Melbourne’s northern suburb of Broadmeadows.

Some Queensland dealers stock brands that offer buyers a choice of framing material. In terms of new price or resale value, there is virtually no difference.

The ideal compromise now seems to be rivetted aluminium frames, which offer the best qualities of aluminium framing, yet allow enough flexibility to ensure a long service life, with companies like Sunseeker embracing this structure on their Melbourne manufactured models.

Should I get a north-south or transverse bed in my next caravan?

The answer to this question can be resolved on a number of  levels.

The most space-efficient caravan internal layout is a transverse bed combined with an L-shaped dinette, as it frees up substantial space in the centre of the caravan.

The major disadvantage of a transverse bed is that one person is against a wall, meaning they have to vault over and disturb their partner when going to bed or getting up in the ‘wee’ hours.

If you are very tall it can also mean cramped legs.

And of course if you have a medical condition that restricts your movement, you don’t really have that option.

If not, you really need to have a discussion with your bedmate as to who goes to bed first and gets up more at night.

I have long proposed caravan makers fit a roof strap or handle to make the ‘vaulting’ process easier.

They are also very difficult to make up, particularly if you have a fitted lower sheet.

However, if you have an off-road caravan and need to save space to enable you to navigate tight tracks, or if a larger central living space is a priority on your travels, this is where a transverse bed comes into its own.

An L-shaped lounge means that two or three people are seated along the wall, usually opposite the galley, with a single person on the ‘L’ of the return, which usually backs onto the fridge. This frees living space in the centre of the caravan, important in a compact caravan.

Do I really need a separate internal shower and toilet?

No, you don’t, unless you have a space problem.

The biggest problem with a 'combo' ensuite is that your feet will get wet if you make an overnight toilet visit and the shower water hasn’t already drained from the floor. This makes correct levelling of your caravan more important that otherwise.

A solution here is to cut a lattice-like mat to fit the floor to keep your feet above water level. You can find these at major hardware stores.

One thing you should insist on through is a curtain to keep your shower water off the toilet. Many caravans already have them.

The other issue is size – yours, not the bathroom’s. In other words, can you squeeze into the shower space?

A separate shower and toilet is a luxury that allow two people to share the bathroom at the same time. We used to wash socks and smalls when showering, then hand them up to dry when travelling on a pull-out clothes’ line. This is pretty tricky when the shower and toilet are in the same space and the drips from the washing makes the floor wet and slippery.

The other issue is ensuring you have enough room to towel yourself dry. If you have separate facilities, you have a better chance of not injuring yourself.

The alternative is to dry yourself outside this space, surprising your partner and perhaps the neighbours...

Is a diesel cabin heater better than gas?

Let’s make this simple.

If you have an all-electric caravan and a diesel tow car, go for diesel, as the reservoir is outside the van and easily filled in the same servo fuel stop.

If you're still using bottle gas for outside cooking or a three-way fridge, go for gas.

My personal preference is for gas because I’ve had a very good experience with a Truma cabin heater. My research also showed me that a diesel heater required more periodic maintenance for the same result, and spills when filling the external tank attracted travel dust.

I also don’t like the smell of diesel fumes, but apart from the brief start-up phase, as long as the unit is properly installed with the correct exhaust system there is no chance of any diesel smell inside.

Regardless of whether you choose gas or diesel fuel, the best advice is ‘Get one!’

If you live inland or in the southern states you will have several chilly nights ahead of you before you can safely sit outside at night in a tee-shirt if you travel in school holidays.

In terms of fuel economy, they are both miserly and running costs should not be a factor in your purchase decision.

The only other question is quality and here I would lean towards the better-known European brands as they are regularly fitted in motorhomes and caravans that are used to house skiers and snowboarders in winter, although the leading Chinese brands are now challenging them.

Why are most caravan fridges three-way rather than compressor?

12V compressor fridges are generally favoured for off-road caravans because their performance is not adversely affected by their operating angle and they are not dependent on gas supplies to run.

So-called ‘three-way' fridges can run off 240-volt power, as in a caravan park or from a generator, 12-volt power, such as that delivered by your tow car, or gas, once you arrive at your destination.

They are generally quieter in operation than compressor fridges, as they dispense with the noise of the compressor cutting in and out to maintain temperature. For this reason light sleepers should try to locate a compressor fridge as far away as possible from your bed if you have a choice in the layout.

Being electrically powered, a compressor fridge removes the necessity to have gas venting in the door and walls of your caravan or motorhome and hence minimises dust getting in.

Modern compressor fridges are these days similarly-sized to their three-way counterparts and hence are a good alternative choice if travelling on major unsealed roads is on your travel itinerary.

With the development of more solar power, longer-lasting batteries and compact generators, you should never run out of power.

Despite this, three-way fridges remain popular and are still the first choice among caravanners travelling main roads in between powered caravan sites.

A word of warning through. In 12V operation, these fridges do little more than maintain their temperature on a warm day, so ensure yours is powered through the night before a big travelling day. Gas operation is just as efficient as 240V power, so you can free-camp with confidence for a day or two on level ground.

Is it worth paying more for airbag suspension?

Is a Porsche worth more than a VW Beetle? If you want to play on curves of the Nurburgring, absolutely. But if you just want to cruise smooth sealed roads            between major caravan parks, perhaps not.

Expandable rubber airbags replace the semi-elliptic or steel springs on your caravan when offered as an option and definitely deliver a smoother ride that is kinder to it on poor roads and corrugations.

I had air suspension on my off-road Trakmaster and the towels would remain on their rails all day even on the worst surfaces.

This is why a used off-road caravan fitted with airbags from new should be in better condition than its steel-sprung counterpart that has covered similar terrain.

But some airbag systems offer more than others. Some, like those offered by      Cruisemaster, are height adjustable, so you can increase ground clearance on rocky terrain, or when fording rivers.

Most systems offer side to side levelling by simple toggle switches, which is very handy on sloping ground, as you can drop or raise one side to ensure your bed is level inside. Most three-way fridges operate at their best on level ground too.

An added advantage of having an on-board compressor for your air suspension is that you can connect an air-gun to adjust your tyre pressures when you leave the bitumen or travel on sand.

Do you really need airbags though? That depends on how often, and how far, you plan to travel off sealed roads...

You’ll certainly get some of the premium price you pay for it back when you sell your caravan and it will probably be in better condition then.