faq'S
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We are a leading supplier of composite enclosures, specializing in flat-packed habitats primarily used within the RV industry. These habitats are assembled and marketed by commercial businesses under their own branding and quality control protocols. In addition to habitats, we collaborate with clients to meet unique product requirements, such as the co-design and manufacturing of composite shipping containers, expandable units, and botanical enclosures.
For quality assurance purposes, we do not offer habitat kits directly to end users.
Our passion for self-contained overland travel dates back to 1994, when our founder and CEO, Andreas Schwall, embarked on a motorcycle journey through Africa. Since then, Andreas has been dedicated to designing, building, and using what he considers the “perfect” campers and expedition trucks. This passion, combined with extensive real-world travel experience in various climate conditions, underscores the importance of creating high-quality, low-maintenance, and condensation-free habitats for unrestricted travel.
We’ve demonstrated this through numerous expeditions to the Arctic in winter, support for full-time travelers worldwide, and validated technical data from thermal audits. By 2024, Total Composites has supplied over 500 habitats across North America. Our expertise is further proven by the large number of commercial refrigerated truck bodies using our components in Australia’s demanding climate conditions.
In short, with our extensive experience and deep material knowledge, you can trust that you are in expert hands.
Total Composites Head Office is located in Victoria, BC, Canada.
For quality assurance purposes, we are selling only to professional partners, dealers and builders. If you are interesting in buying one of our products, please reach out to one of our Professional Builders and Dealerships or visit our Contact Page for other inquiries.
We are looking for partners who ideally have experience in the Vanlife, RV, or fabrication industry. This background will provide a significant advantage, as you will already be familiar with RV systems, suppliers, and have an existing customer base. However, if you come from a different business background and are seeking a new venture, starting from scratch is also a viable option. The crucial factor is your understanding of our Total Composites materials, your ability to meet our high standards, and your commitment to exceptional customer care.
- Our Expectations:
As a builder, you will represent our brand and act as a brand ambassador. Over the past eight years, we have worked diligently to establish an excellent reputation, and we expect the same level of dedication from you. This includes promptly responding to inquiries, providing sound advice, and delivering campers that meet our exceptional standards.
While we will not micromanage your business, it is essential to maintain the high standards associated with our campers’ distinct design. You are free to rename the models and apply your branding, but customers will always associate our name with the quality we offer. Consistency is key.
Support from Total Composites:
We view our partners as part of our extended family, working together as a close-knit team. If a potential customer contacts us directly, we will refer them to you as the designated partner. We handle product development, new designs, and component sourcing, constantly testing and partnering with suppliers to ensure the best products for our customers. Additionally, we actively participate in industry tradeshows, showcasing your company and providing support. Our social media and marketing efforts are designed to drive customers your way, offering invaluable support for building your business.
Getting Started:
To begin, we will send you our standard Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Once completed, we can discuss pricing, timelines, and logistics in more detail.
If you decide to move forward after reviewing all the information, we will schedule a comprehensive 4-5 day training course. During this time, we will provide an in-depth overview of our components, share successful strategies for profiting with our campers, and assemble a complete camper shell together. At the end of the course, you will have the opportunity to purchase the shell and take it with you, allowing you to showcase a sample to potential customers immediately. This course also serves as a chance for you to determine if this path aligns with your aspirations. Both parties will have ample time during these 4-5 days to sign our agreement or decide whether to pursue other opportunities.
We believe this opportunity to become a partner with us is truly exceptional. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to assist you every step of the way.
Our composite panels are custom-designed for each specific application, taking into account factors such as tensile strength, weight, and durability. The same careful consideration applies to our foam cores and panel construction. For instance, our PU foam cores are closed-cell, carry a B2 fire rating, and are tailored to meet the needs of each project. A key focus in all of our enclosures is achieving high thermal efficiency and material compatibility, which is why we have developed our own 100% fiberglass pultrusions.
All of our kits are assembled and weather-sealed using a non-toxic polyurethane adhesive sourced from Germany, ensuring both quality and environmental safety.
Pultrusions are a mix of Resins and fibreglass fabric that is pulled through a die to form a specific shape. There is of course a lot of knowledge that goes into them. For example: the fibreglass fabric selection will determine the strength of the profile, making them UV stable is also important. The biggest benefit of these are the compatibility with our panels. Our materials expand and contract in sync through different climate conditions and therefore avoiding tension between materials. We have in total over 30 different shapes and forms to our disposal.
Please see our comparison chart about different materials
Cold Bridging, also known as thermal bridging, is a common issue in many habitats and RVs, leading to condensation and thermal inefficiency. While increasing the heat can temporarily mitigate these problems, it results in higher fuel consumption and reduces the duration one can stay off-grid compared to a well-insulated habitat.
The condensation problem in standard mass-produced RVs is a primary reason why many users choose our system. Our FRP pultrusions and meticulously designed panels offer near-zero conductivity, ensuring a healthier interior climate free from condensation. Total Composites enclosures provide the optimal platform to achieve this, though it is also crucial to consider factors such as windows, doors, heating systems, and airflow around mattresses and inside cabinetry.
To validate our claims, we have tested several of our enclosures in the high Arctic under extreme climate and off-road conditions, far from any civilization or town.