Structural SolutionsComparing wood RV trusses to API’s aluminum RV roof truss
Let's compare the wood trusses in a “Highly Respected RV Company’s unit” to API's patented aluminum RV roof truss:
- Weight: The wood trusses weigh between 4 ½ and 5 ¼ lbs. each. With 31 wood trusses used, the total weight of the wood truss structure is estimated to be between 139.5 lbs. (31 x 4.5) and 163.5 lbs. (31 x 5.25). In contrast, API's aluminum truss weighs less than 3 lbs. each. Only 25 API trusses are needed to well exceed the wood truss capacity. The total weight of the aluminum truss structure would be 75 lbs. (25 x 3).
- Load Rating: The wood trusses have a load rating of 120 lbs. each, according to API's in-house test results. Considering the 31 wood trusses, the total load rating of the wood truss structure would be 3,720 lbs. (31 x 120). API's aluminum truss has a load rating of 320 lbs. each. With 25 API trusses, the total load rating of the aluminum truss structure would be over 8,000 lbs. (25 x 320).
- Strength-to-Weight Ratio: The wood trusses have a load rating of 120 lbs. with a weight between 4.50 and 5.25 lbs. each, resulting in a strength-to-weight ratio of approximately 22.86 to 26.67 (load rating divided by weight). API's aluminum truss has a load rating of 320 lbs. with a weight of less than 3 lbs. each, providing a higher strength-to-weight ratio of at least 106.67.
- Roof Structure Efficiency: With the wood truss structure, the roof weighs around 140 lbs. and has a load rating of 3,720 lbs. In comparison, the aluminum truss structure weighs only 75 lbs. but has a load rating of over 8,000 lbs. This means that the aluminum truss structure offers a more efficient use of materials, providing a significantly higher load rating with a lighter overall weight.
Based on these comparisons, API's aluminum trusses offer several advantages over RV wood trusses in terms of weight, load rating, strength-to-weight ratio, and overall roof structure efficiency. The use of API's aluminum trusses allows for a lighter roof structure with a significantly higher load rating, making it an even more attractive option for this “Respected RV Manufacturer”.
