Stainless Steel Camper Trailer – Any downsides?

[Maltek]

Hi we have found an all stainless camper trailer from Prestige Campers, the look like a very well made trailer and we liked the layout of the tent,  I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with a Stainless Steel camper and if there any downsides?

Thanks

[Hubble80]

You may find it to be a little heavier than others and will fingerprint like a fridge!!!

[DannyG]

It will get very hot in the sun if it is bare stainless

There is a chap building a stainless CT on here, he might be able to shed some light on the pro's and con's.

Id love to own stainless CT but not really necessary for what we use one for.

[achjimmy]

Watch anywhere it's welded. Stainless can fatigue especially around welds under stress, see many SS boat trailers?

[DannyG]

Hi we have found an all stainless camper trailer from Prestige Campers, the look like a very well made trailer and we liked the layout of the tent,  I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with a Stainless Steel camper and if there any downsides?

Thanks

I just checked out their trailers, wow they are beautiful in stainless

[rodw]

I wouldn't buy it, stainless is brittle and I would not expect it would last the distance. I have had a stainless water tank crack twice from constant flexing in the back of my truck.

[gronk]

I wouldn't buy it, stainless is brittle and I would not expect it would last the distance. I have had a stainless water tank crack twice from constant flexing in the back of my truck.

Depends who makes it.....have a friend with a stainless boat trailer (ski boat ) and it has lasted many yrs !!

It needs to be made by soneone who understands stainless and what sort of stainless to use ..

[areyonga]

Your magnetic light wont stick to the side of it

[Jasman]

I checked them out in the expo in Toowoomba last weekend and they look amazing, my concern though is that they are imported from China in a container so the drawbar has to be removable to fit in the container, this has resulted in a bolt on drawbar and though they subsequently weld the drawbar on I would always be worried about a weak point.

[Maltek]

Thanks for the replies, I did check out the welds and the whole thing just looked to be made very well but I was worried about fatigue, however almost all of our camping so far has been on the beach (Inskip, Morton, Straddie) so the attraction is not having to worry about rust.

Rodw I hear what you are saying about the water tank cracking because of the flex, I have a 80 litre plastic tank mounted under the ute tray and it has a crack on the top from it flexing.

[Maltek]

Jasman, I thought about that as well but can’t see how it would be weaker if it was welded and bolted on in Australia as opposed to being welded on in China.

[rodw]

Rodw I hear what you are saying about the water tank cracking because of the flex, I have a 80 litre plastic tank mounted under the ute tray and it has a crack on the top from it flexing.

I eventually fixed it. Got Rhino Liners to spray the whole tank as their liner is rated for potable water. They said they do a lot of stainless tanks... and I thought I had come up with a really great novel idea!!!

[Isuzumu]

Go and have a look at S/S rails on a boat down at the marina and if the S/S has not been looked after that what your trailer will look like, pain in the butt to keep them looking nice.

[Eamonn]

Yep from first hand experience......

Cost first and for most....bitch to weld without heat distortion....will i do it again for the chassis....no...for box's tanks and nick naks yes...

[fishfinder]

Your magnetic light wont stick to the side of it

depends on the grade of the stainless

[Eureka]

Stainless can be magnetic, 316 isn't, I think 304 is. Anyway, corrosion is the issue that is being thought about here.

The main issue with stainless is the welding. If the welding is heat treated/beaded or some other stress relief done post welding, then the trailer WILL crack at the welds. If the person doing the welding knows what they are doing and the welds are stress relieved, then the only issue is one of looks. Brushed or swirled surface finish would be advisable to cut down glare, but the metal will be burning hot if left in open spaces with direct sunlight on it. If you do go down the stainless route, have a printer make up some body stickers the same size as the panels in a colour to suit you, your car or where you go ( camouflage?) . This is called ' wrapping' , and is what is used for promo stickers. After about 7 years you will need a new set, but it will cut down the staining and the burning.  Your other issue is if any mods or repairs are done, it is harder to find some one that can do the job properly in stainless.

 I would go with an alloy trailer with a good wash down after each trip, or just have a decent trailer hot dipped gal'd  and be prepared to replace it every 10 years.