Building a Fifth Wheel

[FishOnOne]

Here's a couple of video's of the Coachman assembly plant and assembly processes.

Part 1

Part 2

[js218]

Yep it's built on a class 8 Volvo chassis. Basically my boondocks base camp. Stay at one Rv park once, I prefer being out in the sticks.

[laknox]

amxpress wrote:

Would be more interesting to know whey they can't come up with common wire harnesses and conduit/channels to run them through, instead of the spaghetti-thrown-against-the-wall mess most have. 😕 Seriously, 12v harness and 110v harness for rigs 20-25', 25-30', 30-35' and > 35'. Could easily be pre-made by a vendor; main conduit/channel down the centerline with wiring branching off.

I suggested this while visiting the Sabre factory back in 2011. The plant manager told me wiring consumed the greatest man hours during assembly. I even offered to help design one as I’ve built harnesses in a former life. Obviously not interested in 21st Century production processes.

Not only that, but the d@mn things could be made by =robots=! Only labor is to swap out spools and feed new wire into the loom, and maybe not even that!

Lyle

[BillyBob_Jim]

ACZL wrote:

js218 wrote:
My rig took 6 months to built to my specifications, all wiring in conduit, all plumbing is 1/2" swagelok S.S.tubing and flex joints with full port ball valves insulated and heat traced. Six inches blue board in roof and floor, 3.5" in walls and slides. They can build it but you have to find a company willing to work with you.

And a very large piggybank as it sounds like a nice rig and large rig to tow it (like a class 8 truck).

He might not need the large tow rig for a Super C but good for him and his piggybank. A 45' Haulmark is a long ways away from a $35K Coachmen 5th wheel slapped together by some Amish pieceworkers.

[ACZL]

js218 wrote:
My rig took 6 months to built to my specifications, all wiring in conduit, all plumbing is 1/2" swagelok S.S.tubing and flex joints with full port ball valves insulated and heat traced. Six inches blue board in roof and floor, 3.5" in walls and slides. They can build it but you have to find a company willing to work with you.

And a very large piggybank as it sounds like a nice rig and large rig to tow it (like a class 8 truck).

[js218]

My rig took 6 months to built to my specifications, all wiring in conduit, all plumbing is 1/2" swagelok S.S.tubing and flex joints with full port ball valves insulated and heat traced. Six inches blue board in roof and floor, 3.5" in walls and slides. They can build it but you have to find a company willing to work with you.

[FishOnOne]

I would love to layout an assembly plant, set up the suppliers and set up the in house processes to produce these. Also by applying Lean Manufacturing methods and reducing non value added operations, I can't help but think I could reduce the manufacturing costs, increase capacity, reduce cycle times and improve the quality.

[amxpress]

Would be more interesting to know whey they can't come up with common wire harnesses and conduit/channels to run them through, instead of the spaghetti-thrown-against-the-wall mess most have. 😕 Seriously, 12v harness and 110v harness for rigs 20-25', 25-30', 30-35' and > 35'. Could easily be pre-made by a vendor; main conduit/channel down the centerline with wiring branching off.

I suggested this while visiting the Sabre factory back in 2011. The plant manager told me wiring consumed the greatest man hours during assembly. I even offered to help design one as I’ve built harnesses in a former life. Obviously not interested in 21st Century production processes.

[philh]

I work for an automotive OEM. typically, only a few wire harnesses are used to cover all the different potential options. Each wire harness is tested by the vendor to ensure the connectors and wires are good.you could probably cover each 5th wheel with 2 or 3 harnesses (or just 1), and break TT into short, medium, long. Yes, you'd give away some wire, but it would have to be a LOT cheaper than random build **** they do

[RobWNY]

I agree. The wiring isn't even done the same in two identical rigs when done by different people. Last year I tried to replace my factory Jensen radio and Speakers in my 5th wheel with much better equipment and it became such a nightmare that I gave up. I tried following the outdoor speaker wires back to the radio and it was impossible. There was such a spaghetti mess of wires before my pass through behind the steps I just stared at them. They were going every which way. 110v wires, 12v wires and radio/speaker wires all mixed together. They aren't even the same color coded wires at the speakers that they are at the radio head. I finally gave up.

[laknox]

ACZL wrote:
Man......LOTS & LOTS of wires !!!! Would be interesting to know exactly how much or feet of wire is used in a 5er.

Would be more interesting to know whey they can't come up with common wire harnesses and conduit/channels to run them through, instead of the spaghetti-thrown-against-the-wall mess most have. 😕 Seriously, 12v harness and 110v harness for rigs 20-25', 25-30', 30-35' and > 35'. Could easily be pre-made by a vendor; main conduit/channel down the centerline with wiring branching off.

Lyle

[ACZL]

Man......LOTS & LOTS of wires !!!! Would be interesting to know exactly how much or feet of wire is used in a 5er.