Which travel trailers use Azdel?

The first question that comes to mind is what is azdel? Azdel is a composite panel that is used by top travel trailer manufacturers as an alternative to other plywood and Luan. These composite panels are resistant to rot and they are lighter than wood. This product also provides better insulation. It makes excellent RV walls both exterior and interior. Many travel trailers use the composite panel as azdel is a major source of suppliers in the RV industry. It was 2006 when these panels were used as a replacement for Luan plywood panels. The travel trailers that use azdel are as follows,

• Nexus RV
• Lance Campers
• Koala
• Gulfstream
• Apex RV
• Adrenaline
• Heartland RV
• Renegade RV
• Surveyor
• camp
• East to West RV
• PrimeTime
• Jayco-Jay Feather Micro series
• Forest River

All these models do not use azdel as a specific manufacturer. In some cases, they use Azdel in some of the parts of the models but not necessarily on the walls. You must check and confirm from the RV dealer or manufacturer if azdel is used in the manufacturing or not.

Advantages of Azdel Composite panels

• Rot-resistant
• Water-resistant
• No delamination
• They are puncture-resistant and impact.
• They do not contain formaldehyde.
• Lighter than wood by up to 50% but still it is 2x stronger than wood
• Temperature and humidity change tolerant. They are not damaged from thawing or freezing.

All these characteristics make them perfect to use in travel trailer exterior and interior walls, partitions, floors,

doors, cabinets, and roofs. Almost 20 manufacturers are using azdel in all or some of their RV models. A division of Forest River Coachman RV is one of the leading users of azdel because of its advantages.

The composition of the composite panel contains many layers. The exterior of the travel trailer is the top layer of fiberglass. Then the azdel panel is followed by a decorative interior panel and a layer of insulation. These panels are made in the USA by Hanwa. The real name of this product is Superlite but later on, it was changed to Azdel.

If you see that a camper manufacturer is not using azdel but they are using Luan plywood. You can compare this product to Luan.

• The product of insulation in the azdel campsite panel is three times higher than the insulation of wood.
• Azdel is 50% lighter than Luan.
• The only factor where azdel losses the advantage, as compared to Luan, is the cheaper price of Luan compared to Azdel.

Delamination Problem

The most common problem with RVs is delamination. Delamination is when the gel coat or outer fiberglass starts getting separate from the substrate which is Luan with lightweight plywood. Usually, it starts as a small crack that gets older with time. Once the water goes in the crack then these repairs become more expensive.

Only water causes the delamination in azdel. You can perform a test by soaking the piece of Azdel and Luan in which the piece of the panel should be placed in water for 51 days. The result would be that azdel will remain unaffected but the Luan will get visible decay and mold. The water seeping into thawing, freezing and hot temperatures will cause the panel to separate and decompose. Mold and mildew can develop.

Against delamination, azdel is the best protection. But you should also get regular maintenance services on your travel trailer. It means that you should maintain and check the windows, roof seals, and slide-outs so that the water remains away.

Luan plywood is a very good material and it is still used by many RV and travel trailer companies. In Luan, the moisture issue is a very big problem. But Azdel panels efficiently maintain the RV by eliminating the issue by giving many other benefits. In Azdel panels you have to pay a premium but in the end, all the money will be worth it. The high price also makes a great difference in the maintenance and quality of your RV.

To get the RVs with Azdel composite panel our Jayco and Forest River dealers can help you in Mississippi, Tennessee.