Class C "Tow Mode"?????
We upgraded from a TT to a Class C Fleetwood Jamboree. We just installed the tow bar, etc so we can flat tow our Jeep Wrangler. My question is, when we are towing our Jeep behind our Class C, do I pu...
Forum Discussion
http://machinedesign.com/motion-control/plastic-composites-take-road
""Plastic materials, including phenolics, have replaced metal components in various automotive applications. The driving force in these high-volume applications is lower cost.
Plastics save money mainly through production process advantages. Injection molded fiber-reinforced plastic composites produce complex shapes with smooth and precise surfaces, thereby reducing finishing costs associated with metal. In addition, metal components consisting of several metal parts are often replaced by a single molded plastic component, reducing machining and assembly costs.
Replacing metal with plastic reduces weight, and enhances performance characteristics such as chemical and corrosion resistance, thermal insulation, and vibration and sound damping.
Automotive applications in which phenolic composites have replaced metal parts include torque converter reactors (also called stators), as well as other engine, transmission, and brake components.
Torque converter reactors. In the U.S. and Japan, glass-reinforced phenolics are used in reactors that direct transmission fluid within torque converters. These reactors are molded to net shape. Selecting phenolics rather than aluminum results in 20% weight reduction; elimination of crimping and other machine steps; part integration (some reactors incorporate an integral thrust washer); and reduced manufacturing costs.""
I just think I would have felt better dishing out all that money to replace my converter if I would have seen a ripped up piece of metal. :W
""Plastic materials, including phenolics, have replaced metal components in various automotive applications. The driving force in these high-volume applications is lower cost.
Plastics save money mainly through production process advantages. Injection molded fiber-reinforced plastic composites produce complex shapes with smooth and precise surfaces, thereby reducing finishing costs associated with metal. In addition, metal components consisting of several metal parts are often replaced by a single molded plastic component, reducing machining and assembly costs.
Replacing metal with plastic reduces weight, and enhances performance characteristics such as chemical and corrosion resistance, thermal insulation, and vibration and sound damping.
Automotive applications in which phenolic composites have replaced metal parts include torque converter reactors (also called stators), as well as other engine, transmission, and brake components.
Torque converter reactors. In the U.S. and Japan, glass-reinforced phenolics are used in reactors that direct transmission fluid within torque converters. These reactors are molded to net shape. Selecting phenolics rather than aluminum results in 20% weight reduction; elimination of crimping and other machine steps; part integration (some reactors incorporate an integral thrust washer); and reduced manufacturing costs.""
I just think I would have felt better dishing out all that money to replace my converter if I would have seen a ripped up piece of metal. :W
