Non-Toxic Recreational Vehicles – Does Such a Really Exist?

More and more people are interested in finding non-toxic RVs simply because of the obvious irritating odor, the surprising symptoms they experience after residing in an RV, and the question of long-term health damage to some people who camp or live in recreational vehicles. While this may seem like a pointless topic to some people, it is a viable concern for many who have experienced noxious fumes from new campers first hand when the door is first opened after it has been closed for a period of time. .

There are even health concerns that have been addressed by state and federal agencies regarding the hazards of manufactured trailers that further point to this problem. One in particular points to the aftermath of Louisiana’s Hurricane Katrina, when many people had to be housed in trailers brought in by the government for the homeless. Many people began reporting various physical symptoms as a result of living in these chemical-laden trailers.

Although this example is from manufactured home trailers, manufacturers often use the same materials in home trailers to build motor homes, caravans, travel trailers, and pop-ups. The problem with many of the typical materials used to build RVs is that the materials are often mixed with various chemicals and toxins that degas over time. Some of the reasons for this, of course, is the fact that composite materials are much cheaper than materials like solid wood. In addition, many of the composites are lighter than their counterparts, which is much more suitable for use in recreational vehicles. However, more and more consumers are aware of the dangers associated with long-term exposure to many of these composite building materials and want to use alternatives if possible.

The problem with this is that most manufacturers are driven by the bottom line and cannot afford to replace much of the cheaper, composite materials with more expensive, natural building materials. Unfortunately, many of the safer, more natural, or less toxic materials tend to be more expensive and manufacturers would have to pass the cost on to consumers, reducing the profit margin.

For consumers who want to find recreational vehicles that are less toxic, it is important to find one or two brands that tend to use more expensive materials that tend to be less hazardous in toxicity. For example, a better option for the chipboard commonly used in motorhomes is plywood. Plywood has fewer chemically bound bonding agents than splintered board, which is practically wood shavings glued together with highly toxic materials. If you’re wondering about the truth of this, just stand next to a chipped board slab and smell the fumes they constantly give off. Next, stand next to a slab of plywood and observe the minor pungent smell.

So far, non-toxic motorhomes are not manufactured by any company that specializes in chemical-free RVs. However, some manufacturers like Airstream produce slightly less toxic models simply because they use high-quality materials that have fewer chemical binders in construction materials. If you are looking for a non-toxic RV or want to reduce the toxicity of your current caravan, there are several sources online that provide more information on safe interior sealants as well as non-toxic RV renovation tips.