Springdale is a "entry level" (low priced technology) wood frame trailer. It is built much the way trailers were built in the 1960's and 1970's, with staples holding most of the frame together and screws where staples wouldn't work. There was/is some adhesive in places, but much of the structure relies on other parts "pushing against each other" to keep it from falling apart.
The reason "recent Springdale models are heavier" is as much the "bling" that Keystone puts in the Springdale line (to make it appealing to first time buyers) as it is to the construction. When we owned our Springdale, it was a "plain Jane" trailer. Now, it's got the same features as most mid level trailers. Things like electric awnings, air conditioning, TV's, stereos, outdoor kitchens, microwaves, 8 cuft refrigerators, carpet, polar/cold weather insulation, electric tongue jacks, electric stabilizers all add weight, making a "fat lady" weigh even more....
As for "sturdy construction" some people prefer wood frame/aluminum siding over aluminum frame/fiberglass laminated siding. There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of construction, but if you step back and look at the overall industry, there are probably 10 aluminum frame trailers built to every wood frame trailer, so overall, I'd suspect wood frames to be the least popular of the two... Any trailer is "sturdy" until it's not... Things like a water leak will destroy a wood frame trailer much faster than an aluminum frame trailer. So, the "key to longevity" is water intrusion prevention on both types of construction.
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John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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