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theoldwizard1's avatar
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
May 07, 2018

RV Construction

Anyone who has followed my post know that I am quite opinionated especially on RV construction and the short cuts/cost cuts various manufactures take.

Over in a different part of this forum, I ran across this image of a Coachmen Freedom Express exposed rear wall.



The wall is being repaired due to delamination, but waht should be noted is that this rear wall is NOT aluminum framed with rigid foam insulation (like the sidewalls) and did not have Azdel substrate (like the sidewalls). Okay, I admit, the website states that Azdel is only used in the sidewall, but really how much did they save using wood and fiberglass insulation ? $20 ? $50 ?

Make you wonder what is under that nice smooth one piece molded front cap !

In one of Coachmen's video they talk about their laminated floor construction. Here is a snapshot



To my eye. it looks like there are 3 different layers of wood in that floor. So much for rot resistance if there is a leak !

Again, how much would it cost to use rot-proof material ? $100 ? $200 ? Even it the upgrade was $500, I would pay for it !
  • MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
    I was always amazed at the idiocy of Italian shoe design versus price and durability and COMFORT. Pain. Fragile. But they gotta the style.


    It's something in the Italian psyche.

    I have pictures of a female Roman Police officer standing in the middle of a cobble stone street directing traffic in 4" heels.

    You also see impeccably dressed Italian girls with stilettos riding vespas.

    I love when people say they are going to dress like the locals so they won't look like tourists. I've yet to see a tourist who can blend in.
  • pnichols wrote:
    I don't know about Ferrari "quality" ... but the V12 one I rode passenger in once as the owner went from 7000 RPM-on-up through the gears was a sound almost like no other! I say "almost" because I've heard only one other engine sound that bested that V12's whine ... a recording of the incomparable banshee scream of a BRM V16 at 10,000+ RPM.

    P.S. That's why I like our RV's V10 ... cuz it's cylinder count is a wee bit closer to 12 and 16 cylinders than those of a V8, a 6 cylinder, a 5 cylinder, a 4 cylinder, or electric, or whatever other weird type engine that is winding up in today's RVs. ;)
    Off topic for sure (oops). Been to the Historic races at Laguna Seca in CA a number of times where the big boys with big bank accounts from around the world take their toys to play. The sound of historic F1 cars from the 60s & 70s with open exhaust is truly amazing. A few hundred cylinders rounding the last turn and then accelerating down the straight at a zillion rpm is a crazy wonderful sound! My bucket list has camping at their trackside CG at the top of the list - expensive and you have to book years in advance tho.

    Sometimes I close my eyes in our V10 F250, blip the throttle and think I'm in an F1 car somewhere. Then I open my eyes and realize I'm on the interstate at 65 mph with the TT in tow... :E
  • On The Other Hand...

    Today's young folks...

    Modify an "IN" car's exhaust then put a chrome megaphone on the tip.

    All four cylinders sound a like a flatulent squirrel as they blatt away from a stop sign.

    NO JOKE

    Now that TRANSPARENT ALUMINUM has become a reality...

    I wonder how long it's going to take to get to market?
  • David ... continuing off topic ... was it transparent aluminum or transparent titanium in that Star Trek movie?

    myredracer wrote:
    Off topic for sure (oops). Been to the Historic races at Laguna Seca in CA a number of times where the big boys with big bank accounts from around the world take their toys to play. The sound of historic F1 cars from the 60s & 70s with open exhaust is truly amazing. A few hundred cylinders rounding the last turn and then accelerating down the straight at a zillion rpm is a crazy wonderful sound! My bucket list has camping at their trackside CG at the top of the list - expensive and you have to book years in advance tho.

    Sometimes I close my eyes in our V10 F250, blip the throttle and think I'm in an F1 car somewhere. Then I open my eyes and realize I'm on the interstate at 65 mph with the TT in tow...

    Regarding the Historic Races and Real Races at Laguna Seca .... been there, done that many times - starting over 50 years ago. I remember a classic Shelby Cobra/Corvette real race (SCCA?) duel in which the winning Cobra was an entire Laguna Seca lap ahead of the Corvette that placed 2nd. Those were the days!

    Regarding the V10 in our small E450 Class C motorhome: The diesel guys and V8 gasser guys seem to think the high RPM and high spirited V10 is less than desirable in an RV. I love it ... especially when dropped out of overdrive for climing a grade to pass the other engine types. ;)
  • David ... continuing off topic ... was it transparent aluminum or transparent titanium in that Star Trek movie?


    Please turn in your nerd card. :)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaVgRj2e5_s
  • Terry Pratchett quotes and Star Trek references all in one thread on an RV site?

    Love it!
  • Now that transparent aluminum

    Causes an uproar?

    Aluminum is stronger than Pyrex, and stronger than Lexan

    Start extracting carbon out of the atmosphere and turn it into carbon fiber.

    Manufacture RV's that can be refitted after being gutted to acquire any desired floor plan.

    "Oh my house is eight years old and clashes with my jewelry and spring fashions?"
  • PNichols wrote:
    Regarding the V10 in our small E450 Class C motorhome: The diesel guys and V8 gasser guys seem to think the high RPM and high spirited V10 is less than desirable in an RV. I love it ... especially when dropped out of overdrive for climing a grade to pass the other engine types.

    Engine is being phased out. Much more efficient engines around. CAFE is a concern for Ford and I cannot see this lasting for too long. Agree with the V8 and Diesel people . The V10 drinks fuel it does not sip it like the others.

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