What Constitutes Vintage Class A
DW and I are dissatisfied with the build quality, and lifestyle of our new 2013 travel trailer. We're having trouble selling outright, due to a seeming glut on the market. We are considering trading i...
Forum Discussion
Revcon vs FMC...Basically the build quality of each unit is in the same class, but slightly different philosophy. Revcon had a strategic goal of building light weight. This meant some rather exotic construction material and methods to achieve that. The shell, frame, and interior is aircraft aluminum. The interior cabinets are hollow core. This means the center of gravity is at 29 inches. Total weight on the police scales for a 33 footer is just over 12K lbs. Handling is well balanced. At 70 mph, I did a quick turn left and swerved back so hard, I pulled a muscle in my back. The front end slid as it tried to swerve back into my lane. Even though the front slid, the vehicle gave no sign of loss of control. Absolutely no sway. When I straightened the wheel, I was driving along as if nothing happened. I've been caught by a microburst with recorded winds of 90 mph. No problem driving in it, other than the wind was opening the window awnings and slamming them against the side of the coach. Eventually I hit an exist and secured the awnings. On a 2 lane road, 60 mph, I have met a semi oncoming. Let go of the steering until he passed. The coach stayed straight. I tow a 4600 lbs Grand Cherokee. I've seen 98 mph on the GPS twice, and could easily be driven with 1 finger on the wheel.
The FMC did not have the specific design goal of being light. The bottom half is aluminum, while the top half is fiberglass. The cabinets are Formica laminate, but solid core. So just as durable, but not as light. So to handle the weight, you have heavier truck components. Not bad, but just different design goals. As far as handling, I've not driven one, but have read many different commentaries. Some will state the low profile means it handle high winds OK, while others comment on the weight of the engine in the rear. There are a few who have added weight to the front end to compensate for the weight of the engine in the rear. I get the impression that under some conditions, its fine, but under other conditions, its not the best. I assume its very similar to when I get my PC800 loaded on the rear bumper of my coach. If I just hold the wheel straight, its fine, but if I let go, it tends to wander. (Without the PC, it goes dead straight)
The FMC did not have the specific design goal of being light. The bottom half is aluminum, while the top half is fiberglass. The cabinets are Formica laminate, but solid core. So just as durable, but not as light. So to handle the weight, you have heavier truck components. Not bad, but just different design goals. As far as handling, I've not driven one, but have read many different commentaries. Some will state the low profile means it handle high winds OK, while others comment on the weight of the engine in the rear. There are a few who have added weight to the front end to compensate for the weight of the engine in the rear. I get the impression that under some conditions, its fine, but under other conditions, its not the best. I assume its very similar to when I get my PC800 loaded on the rear bumper of my coach. If I just hold the wheel straight, its fine, but if I let go, it tends to wander. (Without the PC, it goes dead straight)
