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RV Construction

theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Explorer II
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 !
49 REPLIES 49

RobertRyan
Explorer
Explorer
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.

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Explorer
[b"Doctor]Is it a sign of insanity when I cannot resist the tides of fashion?"

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Explorer
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?"

parker_rowe
Explorer
Explorer
Terry Pratchett quotes and Star Trek references all in one thread on an RV site?

Love it!
2015 Starcraft TravelStar 239TBS 6500 GVWR
1997 GMC Suburban K2500 7.4 Vortec/4.10
1977 Kawasaki KZ1000

maillemaker
Explorer
Explorer
David ... continuing off topic ... was it transparent aluminum or transparent titanium in that Star Trek movie?


Please turn in your nerd card. ๐Ÿ™‚

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaVgRj2e5_s
1990 Winnebago Warrior. "She may not look like much but she's got it where it counts!"

pnichols
Explorer II
Explorer II
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. ๐Ÿ˜‰
2005 E450 Itasca 24V Class C

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Explorer
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?

myredracer
Explorer II
Explorer II
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. ๐Ÿ˜‰
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

valhalla360
Nomad III
Nomad III
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.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV

pnichols
Explorer II
Explorer II
myredracer wrote:
He once showed me a Ferrari Dino 246 GTS (circa 1970s) he was working on. Undeniably sexy-looking as h*ll on the outside but under the skin, cheaply built just like the Fiats of the day. I so lusted after one of those Ferraris for a long time but that was the day the lust got busted forever.


Off topic, but:

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. ๐Ÿ˜‰
2005 E450 Itasca 24V Class C

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Explorer
Woebegone is a Magnetti Morreli starter or alternator. National quality but they no gotta the lines.

When I retrieved Quicksilver from the salvage yard in the San Fernando valley I knew I was in for compromises atop shortcomings. But. The 16-gauge hot dipped galvanized riveted body had and still has a lot of appeal. 2" spaced double-wall strength.

Gentlemen! Choose Your Compromise! That'a about the sum of it...

myredracer
Explorer II
Explorer II
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.
Italian product image? Used to have a next door neighbor that restored exotic cars for ultra-wealthy and influential folks like Nicolas Cage's Mercedes Gullwing (before he went broke) and Justin Trudeau's Mercedes roadster (originally owned by his father Pierre Trudeau). He once showed me a Ferrari Dino 246 GTS (circa 1970s) he was working on. Undeniably sexy-looking as h*ll on the outside but under the skin, cheaply built just like the Fiats of the day. I so lusted after one of those Ferraris for a long time but that was the day the lust got busted forever. ๐Ÿ˜ž

map40
Explorer
Explorer
SidecarFlip wrote:
Luan is the industry name for cheap particle board....Aircraft grade... Laughable. Nothing aviation grade in any Rv that I know of.

All aluminum is aircraft grade, it just needs paperwork to be used in an aircraft...
Alfa SeeYa
Life rocks when your home rolls

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Explorer
I was always amazed at the idiocy of Italian shoe design versus price and durability and COMFORT. Pain. Fragile. But they gotta the style. Or Buckboard Wagon Wheels and Tires for cars: Common flat tires, no wear durability and the people who crave them live in neighborhoods where young residents have the ability to yank a transmission in minutes or a radio in under 60 seconds.

Failure to comprehend

Is this psychological illness an attempt to make others feel inadequate?

(Mr Dickies clothing and Big 5, nineteen dollar shoes, here)