Just Suppose
Just suppose you were hired by a major towable RV manufacturer as the vice president of quality. The company said they are tired of customer complaints. They want to change the perception of their com...
Forum Discussion
I am glad this topic is still "alive" !
IMHO, production speed is not the "root of all evil" and slowing down will not necessarily fix all problems.
I think most consumers would agree, the number one concern is water intrusion. A seamless rubber roof is a good start. Jayco's "Magnum Truss Roof System" (NOT a flat roof) is another positive. While it may look odd, I think the roof need to overhang the sides so there is less chance of water entering the walls at the top.
Another possibility is a metal roof that rolls over the side and joins the wall on the vertical (look at enclosed landscape trailers). Metal Z-flashing at the seam would prevent water intrusion.
Perhaps small awnings/shields (that fit under the outer skin) over all windows, to eliminate another potential entrance place for water.
Floors must be upgraded. Plywood must use "water and boil proof" glue, like in marine plywood. The side facing down should be made of a synthetic material and sealed between sheets (like ZIP System sheathing) or the entire bottom should be covered in some type a quality synthetic "cloth".
And this is the hard one and I expect the "root" of many problems. The overall "stiffness" MUST be increased from the bottom up ! Heavier gauge metal in the frame. More, and heavier gauge cross members. Triple axles should be used more to help eliminate flexing.
The last and most important thing is, change the design of the wall to have less racking and twisting. Built in structural wind bracing. Triangulation between the ceiling joist and wall (if there was adequate roof overhang this could actually be on the outside) and triangulation between the cross members and the walls.
ALL of the above add weight and cost, the 2 biggest "evils" in the industry
I might be way off on my possible proposed solutions but I am certain that flexing causes a lot of water intrusion issues. Perhaps a study of cargo trailers is required.
The last thing that consumers can do to help themselves is store you rig under a roof or a good tarp. After rain water, UV is your biggest enemy.
IMHO, production speed is not the "root of all evil" and slowing down will not necessarily fix all problems.
I think most consumers would agree, the number one concern is water intrusion. A seamless rubber roof is a good start. Jayco's "Magnum Truss Roof System" (NOT a flat roof) is another positive. While it may look odd, I think the roof need to overhang the sides so there is less chance of water entering the walls at the top.
Another possibility is a metal roof that rolls over the side and joins the wall on the vertical (look at enclosed landscape trailers). Metal Z-flashing at the seam would prevent water intrusion.
Perhaps small awnings/shields (that fit under the outer skin) over all windows, to eliminate another potential entrance place for water.
Floors must be upgraded. Plywood must use "water and boil proof" glue, like in marine plywood. The side facing down should be made of a synthetic material and sealed between sheets (like ZIP System sheathing) or the entire bottom should be covered in some type a quality synthetic "cloth".
And this is the hard one and I expect the "root" of many problems. The overall "stiffness" MUST be increased from the bottom up ! Heavier gauge metal in the frame. More, and heavier gauge cross members. Triple axles should be used more to help eliminate flexing.
The last and most important thing is, change the design of the wall to have less racking and twisting. Built in structural wind bracing. Triangulation between the ceiling joist and wall (if there was adequate roof overhang this could actually be on the outside) and triangulation between the cross members and the walls.
ALL of the above add weight and cost, the 2 biggest "evils" in the industry
I might be way off on my possible proposed solutions but I am certain that flexing causes a lot of water intrusion issues. Perhaps a study of cargo trailers is required.
The last thing that consumers can do to help themselves is store you rig under a roof or a good tarp. After rain water, UV is your biggest enemy.
