Can Anyone Tell Me What Year....
What year wood frames in RV construction were replaced with steel/aluminum framing? I'm sure different companies might still use wood framing or a combination of various materials, but I am wondering ...
Forum Discussion
Winnebago having an actual engineering staff on board is superb and "expected", but sadly may not be the case with many RV OEMs. I have deduced that was probably the case with Winnebago from poking around under, inside, and behind areas in our Itasca Class C motorhome.
However, I've discovered that our Winnebago-built Itasca probably has some of the same "under-engineered" issues (although to a lesser extent) that most other motorhomes have with respect to unused hidden interior and exterior spaces here and there.
For example:
- Unused open spaces between the bottom of the lowest drawers and the floor
- Unused open space under the bed around the main fresh water tank and water pump
- Unused opens space above the refrigerator ... not in it's air flow duct space ... but above it's main box
- Unused open spaces around where the two coach sound system speakers are mounted
- Unused open space ahead of the main propane tank right in the compartment where the propane tank is mounted
Since we drycamp/boondock a lot and don't like trip-ending situations, I carry all kinds of spare parts in these hidden interior open spaces. The open space around the main fresh water tank could probably even hold another 10 to 20 gallon fresh water tank ... if I didn't mind adding more weight behind the rear axle. The extra space ahead of the main propane tank probably could have been used for a 23 gallon propane tank instead of the current 18 gallon propane tank.
So far after 6 years of ownershiop I've found very few issues (a couple, however) where Winnebago could have built things better.
Another "quality" situation not discussed much in these forums is extra engineering things Winnebago may be doing to the Ford chassis (guessing here - not sure) after being delivered to the Winnebago factory, such as:
- Installation of heat shields above the engine exhaust pipes in the front under the driver and passenger seating areas
- Installation of steel sheeting around the rear duals to protect the undercarriage from rock damage and hopefully, damage should a rear dual tread ever separate
- Installation of a front steering shock absorber
- Installation of a frame to hold the spare tire up out of the way between the rear frame members
.... and it goes without saying that Winnebago's RV construction and parts documentation system for current and earlier products is unsurpassed. IMHO, that alone is worth buying a Winnebago product over others if one intends on keeping their RV a number of years and keeping it in top shape. Even if have a dealer repair something, I research Winnebago documentation to make the "dealer did it right".
However, I've discovered that our Winnebago-built Itasca probably has some of the same "under-engineered" issues (although to a lesser extent) that most other motorhomes have with respect to unused hidden interior and exterior spaces here and there.
For example:
- Unused open spaces between the bottom of the lowest drawers and the floor
- Unused open space under the bed around the main fresh water tank and water pump
- Unused opens space above the refrigerator ... not in it's air flow duct space ... but above it's main box
- Unused open spaces around where the two coach sound system speakers are mounted
- Unused open space ahead of the main propane tank right in the compartment where the propane tank is mounted
Since we drycamp/boondock a lot and don't like trip-ending situations, I carry all kinds of spare parts in these hidden interior open spaces. The open space around the main fresh water tank could probably even hold another 10 to 20 gallon fresh water tank ... if I didn't mind adding more weight behind the rear axle. The extra space ahead of the main propane tank probably could have been used for a 23 gallon propane tank instead of the current 18 gallon propane tank.
So far after 6 years of ownershiop I've found very few issues (a couple, however) where Winnebago could have built things better.
Another "quality" situation not discussed much in these forums is extra engineering things Winnebago may be doing to the Ford chassis (guessing here - not sure) after being delivered to the Winnebago factory, such as:
- Installation of heat shields above the engine exhaust pipes in the front under the driver and passenger seating areas
- Installation of steel sheeting around the rear duals to protect the undercarriage from rock damage and hopefully, damage should a rear dual tread ever separate
- Installation of a front steering shock absorber
- Installation of a frame to hold the spare tire up out of the way between the rear frame members
.... and it goes without saying that Winnebago's RV construction and parts documentation system for current and earlier products is unsurpassed. IMHO, that alone is worth buying a Winnebago product over others if one intends on keeping their RV a number of years and keeping it in top shape. Even if have a dealer repair something, I research Winnebago documentation to make the "dealer did it right".
