Motorhome builds

I doubt there is a great deal of difference between Fiberglas coach builders in a rollover issue. These coaches are welded and bolted onto frames with outriggers. They do not do well off their wheels. In my opinion you're better off paying attention to build reputation than coach framing.

As for this statement;

"They are also the most expensive to repair, and for that reason go to the junk yard when damaged."

I'll just let you sit and reflect!!!

Mondooker wrote:
Yes Prevost and Bluebird are (Bluebird has been out of business for many years) the only "buses" and when converted to a motor coach are the strongest coaches made. I also don't think there will be much argument when I say the "Riveted Prevost Bus" is the strongest bus/coach ever built. A fiberglass coach just can't compete on that basis!

They are also the most expensive to repair, and for that reason go to the junk yard when damaged.

Well I don't have the money for a Prevost or any other high dollar MH I was just wondering about Winnebago they do build a steel frame in the around the drivers area is what I am asking about, do any of the other Tiffin, Thor, Fleetwood, etc.

Yes Prevost and Bluebird are (Bluebird has been out of business for many years) the only "buses" and when converted to a motor coach are the strongest coaches made. I also don't think there will be much argument when I say the "Riveted Prevost Bus" is the strongest bus/coach ever built. A fiberglass coach just can't compete on that basis!

Ivylog wrote:
Yes, there are some wood framed MHs out there, even alum but most are steel framing. Will they take sliding on their sides...probably but not rolling over. I like having a large slide behind my drivers seat.
Prevost have SS skins, not frames.

Not being rude but I happen to go thru the Prevost plant last year and their frames were Stainless Steel.

Yes, there are some wood framed MHs out there, even alum but most are steel framing. Will they take sliding on their sides...probably but not rolling over. I like having a large slide behind my drivers seat.
Prevost have SS skins, not frames.

If you buy one built from a bus chassis like a Bluebird or Prevost.

Old article but not much changed since

RV Crash Deaths Under Investigation
Lack Of Crash Tests For Luxury Motor Homes Blamed
Braking problems, collapsing walls and poorly secured cabinets: These are the RV industry's deadliest secrets.
We know because KIRO Team 7 Investigators just spent months analyzing hundreds of fatal luxury motor home crashes both nationwide and here in the Pacific Northwest.
Investigative Reporter Chris Halsne exposes how some loose safety standards are turning fun, family camping outings into trips to the morgue.
Federal law requires crash and rollover tests for cars, SUVs, semi-trucks and even charter buses. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration just conducted a new series of bus tests last month. The explosion of glass and crunch of metal are tools that guide new safety improvement.
Why, then, did KIRO Team 7 Investigators discover some of the biggest, most expensive motor homes on the road are exempt?
Peggy and Richard Young loved to camp in their 28-foot motor home, often taking their dog Mitzy to favorite spots along Washington's beach-front state parks.
On the way home one day in 2005, Richard took the corner of a highway onramp a little fast and tipped the RV over. It crumpled--trapping him inside.
Halsne: "We're looking at structural integrity. It looks to me ..."
Peggy Young: "It was a mess wasn't it?"
Halsne: "That the roof just didn't hold up."
Peggy Young: "No! All it is, is fiberglass. These motor homes are only fiberglass. They had the wood framing, you know, thin wood framing, but they're just fiberglass. There's nothing there to keep anything like this from happening."

I know of three that I have seen that rolled and supposedly they were driven away after put back on the tires.

Prevost, Newell, and Wanderlodge. The Prevost and Wanderlodge were/are made of Stainless frames.

As Doug stated, they are not cheap, but the Prevost and Wanderlodge that I rode in were a very smooth ride.

The Prevost and Newell you should be able to find all the parts you need, The Wanderlodge is out of business and parts are becoming harder to find.

http://www.marathoncoach.com/--11_Great_Things_About_a_Prevost_Shell_You_Might_Not_Know

this is just one place that has that Prevost frames are SS. Prevost site also has the same info

35 years ago, Winnebago had an ad where they suspended a 26 foot Class A upside down from a crane with straps about 3 or 4 feet off the ground and then released it. It dropped and stayed intact. BUT, if you ROLLED the unit(which would be the case 100 percent of the time), the motorhome disintegrated just like all others. I do not believe there is any Federal guidelines on roll over or cage protection on RV motorhomes. They DO have laws that affect the Drivers and Passenger seats and the restraint system must meet federal standards. ALL the pics I have seen from BAD accidents and the Motorhomes rolled over on their sides or completely rolled over, they where just a pile of wood and fiberglass. Doug

PS, if they did have a standard, I doubt you could afford the motorhome and probably 75 percent of motorhomes owners also.