Forum Discussion

Baja_Man's avatar
Baja_Man
Explorer
Apr 20, 2016

Do most class Cs have Alumframe® construction?

Curious about this as I am looking at a Class C that has Alumiframe® construction and an aluminum roof.

I know that the vast majority of Class Cs have EPDM/TPO rubber roofs but I am not sure about what framing materials are being used.

The unit I am considering is a 2005 Monaco Esquire. Here is what is listed on the brochure as Body Construction:

Alumaframe® Superstructure
Peaked Aluminum Roof with Fiberglass Insulation
Smooth Aluminum Sidewalls
Fiberglass Front Cap with Radius Corners to Roof Line
ABS Radius Rear Cap Transition Application
to Roof Line and Bumper
Aluminum Framed Floor on Steel Trusses
Laminated StructurwoodTM Flooring
Interior Paneling with 3/4" Insulation
Foam Insulated Floor Framing with 3-Ply Underbelly
Streamlined Baggage Doors with Integrated Single
Handle Latches
One-Piece Polyethylene Storage Compartment,
Pass-Through Storage
Wheel Mud Flaps
Painted Mask and Skirt with Vinyl Exterior Graphics
Rear Ladder
Interior Rubber Entry Step
Exterior Single Entry Steps
Fiberglass Running Boards
Undercoating

o p t i o n s
Smooth Gel Coat Fiberglass Exterior Walls
Class C
  • dcg9381's avatar
    dcg9381
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2016
    I think most are aluminum framed.
    Be aware that 2005 was within the years of "crows feet" in regard to gelcoat finishes. These will not show up in digital photos. Not a structural problem, but unattractive.
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Apr 21, 2016
    Baja Man wrote:
    Curious about this as I am looking at a Class C that has Alumiframe® construction and an aluminum roof.

    I know that the vast majority of Class Cs have EPDM/TPO rubber roofs but I am not sure about what framing materials are being used.

    The unit I am considering is a 2005 Monaco Esquire. Here is what is listed on the brochure as Body Construction:

    Alumaframe® Superstructure THIS IS A HOLIDAY RAMBLER (AND SUCCESSORS) TRADEMARK AS YOU NOTED. NEARLY EVERY MOTORHOME HAS ALUMINUM SIDEWALL FRAMING. OUR CHEAP JAYCO HAS "STRUCTURAL FOAM" ROOF WITH ONE ALUMINUM CROSS BEAM IN THE AREA OF THE AIR CONDITIONER. HOLIDAY USED TO ADVERTISE THEIR ALUMAFRAME AS A COMPLETE ALUMINUM SKELETON, TOP, SIDES, FRONT AND REAR
    Peaked Aluminum Roof with Fiberglass Insulation BETWEEN THE ALUMINUM SKIN AND THE ALUMINUM TRUSSES, THIS ADDS UP TO A PREMIUM FEATURE
    Smooth Aluminum Sidewalls PREMIUM FEATURE
    Fiberglass Front Cap with Radius Corners to Roof Line PREMIUM FEATURE
    ABS Radius Rear Cap Transition Application
    to Roof Line and Bumper ANOTHER PREMIUM FEATURE. MANY COACHES WITH FIBERGLASS FRONT CAPS TO NOT HAVE FIBERGLASS REAR CAPS
    Aluminum Framed Floor on Steel Trusses MOST MOHO'S HAVE A WELDED STEEL OR ALUM FLOOR "SLAB"
    Laminated StructurwoodTM Flooring ??? HOPEFULLY BETTER THAN THE OSB USED IN OURS
    Interior Paneling with 3/4" Insulation TYPICAL RV CONSTRUCTION
    Foam Insulated Floor Framing with 3-Ply Underbelly I THINK MOST BUILDERS INSULATE THE FLOOR. OURS HAS FOAM WITHIN THE STEEL FRAMING, OSB ON TOP, SHEET METAL BELOW
    Streamlined Baggage Doors with Integrated Single
    Handle Latches PREMIUM FEATURE
    One-Piece Polyethylene Storage Compartment, PREMIUM FEATURE
    Pass-Through Storage PREMIUM FEATURE
    Wheel Mud Flaps ARE THEY KIDDING, WHO DOESN'T?
    Painted Mask and Skirt with Vinyl Exterior Graphics
    Rear Ladder PREMIUM FEATURE
    Interior Rubber Entry Step ???
    Exterior Single Entry Steps ???
    Fiberglass Running Boards PREMIUM FEATURE
    Undercoating ???

    o p t i o n s
    Smooth Gel Coat Fiberglass Exterior Walls RATHER HAVE THE PAINTED ALUMINUM!!!


    As I noted before, this unit is an upscale Class C. At least by design and features. I don't know how well Monaco brought it off, construction-wise. I do know Holiday was out of the Class C business for awhile, then brought them back. I think the brand name on the re-entry Class C was "Atlantis" and those results were mixed at best.

    NOTE: Had to to to Woodall's to post this reply...
  • Baja_Man's avatar
    Baja_Man
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2016
    Thanks j-d

    This one has these options:

    fiberglass exterior walls
    8cf refer with ice maker
    CB prep
    DSS prep
    AC 15M Heat Pump
    Convection Microwave
    140 watt inverter
    15.0 ducted AC with Heat Pump, and quick chill
    kitchen ventilation with attic fan
    4.0 genny
    SS wheel liners
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Apr 22, 2016
    If it has the floorplan you like, you can deal with the CCC, and it's not hiding major defects, this coach looks very good. I know I'd consider it.
    A number of the options are now more common than not.

    Ducted AC is now very common
    Heat Pump is legitimately an option
    Fiberglass walls are now the norm
    Generator and Wheel Liners are common standard equipment
    Ice maker, Convection, Inverter, Attic Fan (?) aren't so common
    CB... nice for some, most don't care
    DSS... potential to be useful
  • bukhrn's avatar
    bukhrn
    Explorer III
    Apr 22, 2016
    I think most in the 2000's have Aluminum frames, not exactly sure when they started, but most in the 90's had wood frames.
  • Dakzuki's avatar
    Dakzuki
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2016
    "Alumiframe®"is a trademarked name. Are you looking for that specifically or do you want an aluminum frame?

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