Editor’s Note: The following was reprinted from a blog post on the Taxa Outdoors website.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – John Thyfault camped through plenty of storms with his family, but this storm was different. This was a truly epic Missouri thunderstorm. They were hunkered down at their campsite, trying to sleep through the ripping wind and rain, when a terrifying sound woke them up: a massive cottonwood tree cracking, falling, and crashing down—right on top of their TAXA Mantis trailer. And thanks to some luck and some extremely robust engineering, everyone made it out safe.
At TAXA, we were stunned to hear about the Thyfault family’s ordeal, and elated no one was hurt by the tree fall. We all felt deep gratitude, and then a sense of satisfaction that our trailers aren’t made from plywood and thin metal sheeting.
In our design and engineering team’s analysis of the incident, they conservatively estimate the tree weighed at a minimum of 10,000 lbs. Then you consider the momentum of those five tons falling toward the ground.
From TAXA’s beginning, founder Garrett Finney built these towable habitats differently: more efficient layouts, more capable, and yes, stronger. In place of the typical wood frame and metal sheeting, we use architectural materials, starting with a powder-coated steel chassis, adding a strong space frame constructed of steel or aluminum, and then skyscraper-grade aluminum composite panels rated to withstand hurricanes, the blog stated.
“Taxa designs habitats with superior durability precisely so you can take them on rugged adventures without worrying, no matter how far you go or how long you stay. We’re amazed by John’s story, and we’re proud to continue building trailers that withstand your biggest adventures, planned or not,” according to the blog post.
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