It’s What’s Inside That Counts » Bowlus Blog

It’s What’s Inside That Counts

It’s What’s Inside That Counts

At Bowlus, we believe that what’s inside the walls of an RV matters. Even though they’re hidden from view, the quality of the materials used to build your RV can really impact your camping experience. Here’s how.

First, let’s talk about the frame because after all, it’s the foundation upon which everything else is built.

Most RV manufacturers use steel to build their frames, but that material has some significant downsides. First, steel is heavy – and the heavier the frame, the heavier the RV. Steel is also prone to rusting when exposed to water and salt, which means it’s not the most durable metal available. It’s also not the strongest.

At Bowlus, we take a different approach and use a 2024 T3 aluminum copper alloy to build our frames. This is the same alloy used by the aircraft and aerospace industries. We do this because aluminum is one of the lightest metals found and it enables us to craft an RV that’s nearly half the weight of comparably sized production RVs. The frame of a Bowlus is only 300 pounds, and that means we can load our luxury travel trailers with amenities and still produce a lightweight RV that can be towed by many crossovers, SUVs and electric vehicles.

There are so many other advantages to the aluminum Bowlus frame. It won’t rust and the closed tube we use is considerably stronger than the steel I-beams used by other manufacturers. Plus, each joint is TIG welded and aligned to within 1/32 of an inch. Are we overachieving when it comes to crafting the perfect RV frame? Maybe, but because we do, your Bowlus will last a lifetime.
Now let’s talk about insulation. At Bowlus, we use a Polyiso foam board that we believe is far better suited to RV use than the fiberglass insulation you’ll find in most production campers. Fiberglass insulation loses its ability to prevent heat flow in and out of your RV if it gets wet and, even worse, is prone to going moldy. It’s also a magnet for vermin looking for a cozy place to homestead.

Our moisture-resistant foam board insulation solves all the problems of traditional fiberglass insulation. It’s made up of a series of uniform cells that are closed and pressed together tightly, meaning there are no opportunities for mold, mildew, or rodent families to grow. Plus, it has excellent soundproofing qualities and provides one of the highest thermal resistance ratings (R-value) available. And, because we pressure-fit each piece in place rather than using glue, you won’t be inhaling any noxious off-gassing fumes. The result is a wall that’s thinner than anyone else’s, but superior in every way.

As you can see, it really is thanks to what’s inside the walls of a Bowlus that we can offer you the very best outdoor experience possible.