Weight bearing wall?

Runners

Does anyone know if the wall between the closet, on the left of the sink, and the sink in the T@B 2004 is weight-bearing? Would love your opinions. Thanks. 

Sharon_is_SAM

I am not sure how much any of the inside structures contribute to the overall strength of the TaB.  I thought the aluminum framing was the main source of roof support.  If you look at the old L shape layout, it did not have a closet extending to the ceiling in that corner - just the wrap around area for the stove.  

SweetlyHome

Note this is apparently a 2004 Dutchman T@B.  Does it have an aluminum frame?  

Sharon_is_SAM

This is from a 2005 brochure found under the Category - TaB Manuals, then Dutchman resources.

“The latest technology, AluFiber®, combines aluminum with fiberglass to create a hi-gloss, impact-resistant finish. Alufiber® is laminated over block foam insulation and aluminum wall framing. Available with Jolt Grey, Orange Krush, Mellow Yellow and Cherry exterior trim.”

Mouseketab

Sharon_is_SAM said:

This is from a 2005 brochure found under the Category - TaB Manuals, then Dutchman resources.

“The latest technology, AluFiber®, combines aluminum with fiberglass to create a hi-gloss, impact-resistant finish. Alufiber® is laminated over block foam insulation and aluminum wall framing. Available with Jolt Grey, Orange Krush, Mellow Yellow and Cherry exterior trim.”

Yes, but that is the wall construction, the roof is still a sheet of aluminum with Wood spars across the width. I believe that the inside cabinets provide quit a bit of stability for the roof. Yes, the L does not have the closet going all the way up, but does have cabinets going all the way across, secured to both walls and a roof member. The models with closets have the front closet secure to the roof members and upper cabinets the rest of the way. If you wanted to take the upper part of the closet down, that would probably be OK, but you would need to continue the upper cabinets all the way across to the driver side wall.

4ncar

What load? Do you have a second floor? The term is “load bearing wall.” This means it supports weight from above and transfer the weight downward. So, no the wet wall in the bath is not a load bearing wall.

GatorEgg

4ncar said:

What load? Do you have a second floor? The term is “load bearing wall.” This means it supports weight from above and transfer the weight downward. So, no the wet wall in the bath is not a load bearing wall.

The structure construction term may not be proper in trailer construction terminology but I think the point of it is.  Does the "wall" keep the upper front of the trailer from collapsing in from aerodynamic forces?

4ncar

GatorEgg said:

The structure construction term may not be proper in trailer construction terminology but I think the point of it is.  Does the "wall" keep the upper front of the trailer from collapsing in from aerodynamic forces?

I hope not. What keeps the door side from buckling?  In any event, if that is the concern, a call to nucamp would be well advised.

ScottG

Technically, I see the concern--even though there is no upper floor, wind forces on the leading edge of the trailer can still create a load that stresses the roof. Internal structures can serve to increase the resistance to that load.

However, regardless of the composition of the roof beams (newer T@Bs use aluminum but apparently they were wood in the older Dutchmans) it's hard to imagine they would not be strong enough to withstand that force on their own over such a short span.

Geo

@Runners, I replaced the floor in our '04 and after seeing how only 10 screws holds the side walls to the floor I have a greater appreciation of unibody construction. All the cabinets and benches are IMO needed to hold the trailer together. You may be able to remove the closet, but as @Mouseketab said keep a row of cabinets across the top to keep the trailer squared up and reinforced.
Although technically not load bearing, I do think all the cabinets and benches are needed to supply the trailer its total structure.

ScottG

I'll second what Geo said. While I doubt any of the structural members themselves would break under load, I have wondered about the outer shell's ability (regardless of what it is made of) to withstand side-to-side (a.k.a., racking) forces. Solid lateral partitions--even if they only extend partway up or down the wall--serve as buttresses that help to keep the side walls (and thus the roof) square with the floor. (Buildings can suffer the same problem if they don't incorporate some sort of bracing--see below).

This is a slightly different issue from what Runners originally asked about, but still something worth considering if you are planning major demolition. It's hard to give a definitive answer without knowing exactly how the T@B shell is constructed and reinforced.

 

Runners

Geo said:

@Runners, I replaced the floor in our '04 and after seeing how only 10 screws holds the side walls to the floor I have a greater appreciation of unibody construction. All the cabinets and benches are IMO needed to hold the trailer together. You may be able to remove the closet, but as @Mouseketab said keep a row of cabinets across the top to keep the trailer squared up and reinforced.
Although technically not load bearing, I do think all the cabinets and benches are needed to supply the trailer its total structure.

Thanks Geo!! so just to clarify, you believe that if we kept the above cabinets, which we would do, would be enough support? 

Runners

Wow thank you, everyone, for your thoughtful input and for understanding my question even though I didn't use the proper terminology. This is all foreign to me so I appreciate your perspectives!! 

Runners

SweetlyHome said:

Note this is apparently a 2004 Dutchman T@B.  Does it have an aluminum frame?  

yes, I believe so. 

Geo

@Runners, Yes the L kitchen T@B's had no floor to ceiling vertical pieces only full width counter top and full side to side top cabinets.
DM T@B's have very little aluminum framing, the floor has a full aluminum frame but the walls have only minimal aluminum pieces around windows and door and no aluminum in the roof from bottom of front to tail lights. The roof is all made with wood 'rafters' .