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07-04-2013, 10:20 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5
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Structural integrity
I am wondering what makes the rockwood ultra lite series (specifically the fifth wheel 8280) lite? What is it that is different structurally and is the structural integrity compromised in any way?
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07-04-2013, 11:12 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,258
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The walls are thin, so a lot of weight saved there.
The floor is a laminated sandwich of very thin plywood on both sides of the aluminum/Styrofoam core. But all of the lightweights are using this system now. There is no real plywood in the floor.
As far as I know, there are no rafters in the ceiling, just another laminated sandwich, but with no framing like the floor.
The axles are the bare minimum for the camper weight, but again seems to be standard procedure.
The main frame is made up of three pieces of sheet metal welded together, and not a real I-beam like on older trailers. It is very light, and probably not very strong.
But does all this compromise the structural integrity? I haven't seen any evidence of it on ours, yet. But it sure does creak and groan when we drop it on the truck, as the weight is being transferred. I wonder if some day something is going to give out in that fifth wheel area. It is flexing, no doubt about that.
But if you want a lightweight, they are very nice campers. And overall, we are happy with ours.
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07-04-2013, 12:29 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 211
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I don't notice any flex or strain when we hook up our 2013 model. It is one of the quietest trailers I've heard traveling down the road. Seems well engineered in construction. Massive axles result in poorly controlled parasitic motion. Shock absorbers and control arms are not common on trailers. The salon floor could be a little stiffer underfoot. You do have to compromise a bit to shed all that weight. While not as solid as a house, it does the job pretty well.
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07-04-2013, 12:34 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,258
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fivealive
I don't notice any flex or strain when we hook up our 2013 model.
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Just wait, you will. Ours was quiet as well when new.
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07-04-2013, 12:47 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 211
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Oh I. I'm sure it will loosen up over time. All things do except for our bones and joints. Why is that? (seems cruel)
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07-04-2013, 05:00 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Hudson Valley Region of NY
Posts: 256
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bakken
But it sure does creak and groan when we drop it on the truck, as the weight is being transferred.
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Mine creeks and groans too as you are transfering the weight too and from the truck.
Unfortunately I think all of these trailers are made cheap/light to save weight and money. But I think they are a good unit overall.
__________________
2018 Jayco Eagle 355MBQS, Andersen Ultimate Hitch
2013 Rockwood 8281SS 5W, Reese Revolution (sold)
2016 GMC 2500 Denali HD 6.6 Diesel
2016 Victory Cross Country Tour
2012 Toyota Tundra Crew Max (sold)
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08-10-2013, 07:04 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 211
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jjsav
Mine creeks and groans too as you are transfering the weight too and from the truck.
Unfortunately I think all of these trailers are made cheap/light to save weight and money. But I think they are a good unit overall.
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You have predicted correctly, my trailer has developed a lot of creaks. I wonder if something structural has happened, like a broken weld or two. I don't know how you can go from little or no noise to what I now hear without some change in the frame. I'm contacting customer service regarding this one.
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08-13-2013, 06:00 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 329
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It's like anything else. You get what you pay for. A person can't buy a Chevrolet and expect all the good qualities of a Cadillac.
__________________
2020 F250, 7.3 gas, 34 ft. Fifth Wheel, SOB
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08-13-2013, 06:33 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Komoka Ontario
Posts: 2,680
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blaster 84
It's like anything else. You get what you pay for. A person can't buy a Chevrolet and expect all the good qualities of a Cadillac.
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But when I buy something no matter what it is it should be usable for the purpose that it is bought for, and, Cadillacs are not fault free either.
__________________
"Well that didn't go as expected"
2015 Chev 2500HD Highcountry Duramax
Cedar Creek Silverback 33IK
Donald&Casey cairn terrier
Rest in Peace Mary my darling wife.
Scottish by birth Canadian by time.
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08-20-2013, 08:33 PM
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#10
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Paul & Sheri
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 239
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Additionally the framing is all welded aluminum. It's so light many people at camp sites have asked if my F150 really tows it without problems. They expect to see an F250. Then I wow them saying that the F150 is a 6 cylinder.......EcoBoost that is.
__________________
2012 F150 F/X 4, 6cyl EcoBoost with Max tow pkg
2013 Rockwood 8280WS 5th wheel
2006 Sunline T1950
2004 T@B T-16
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08-21-2013, 07:37 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 329
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pwb01
Additionally the framing is all welded aluminum. It's so light many people at camp sites have asked if my F150 really tows it without problems. They expect to see an F250. Then I wow them saying that the F150 is a 6 cylinder.......EcoBoost that is.
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That's exact results I get and almost the exact wording I use. But I also add "it has twin turbos."
__________________
2020 F250, 7.3 gas, 34 ft. Fifth Wheel, SOB
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