Separate living unit from the chassis

[Tony65]

I emphasize that our expensive (very expensive) class A motorhomes should be designed with more attention to safety and maintenance.

I have the vague impression that the fact of defining them as "Recreational Vehicle" leads producers to take their construction somewhat superficially.

Yet they are very sophisticated vehicles where us and our families live in a situation of mobility, therefore "in itself at risk", with all the dangers of the road.

I do not say that the builders should design them with the same care that you put in the aircraft... but almost.

For example: why are they still being built using flammable material?

[Lt Dan]

I watched ours being built and I can assure you that there is no way the house can be separated from the chassis without cutting welds and removing hundreds of screws and bolts. It would be worse than lifting a house off it's foundation.

[Dav L]

Hate to be negative, ...if the OP is asking this question, then probably not prepared to do what it takes to succeed. The answer is everything is possible, but this one very likely is not nearly worth the effort. I can't think of many repairs (none) that would make it worth the while. If you are trying to sandblast the frame and repaint...then go do it. You don't need to disassemble it all. If the repair is more than that, then go look for a different RV.

I have done many frame up auto restorations...a frame up RV resto would not be worth the effort. They depreciate too fast and the chassis is welded to the coach in many places.

So, what's driving the real question? What are you really trying to do?

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/moun...ad-394089.html

Sure, anything is possible...what you are asking is more than what work was in that link.

[grindstone01]

When I replaced the turbo on my 06 Chevy Duramax, the procedure was to lift the cab off the frame for access. I did it my way w/o lifting the cab, but it also took me 4 days of wrenching to do the job.

[LSC9901]

So ... I'm curious. Was this a question that was a pop into your head question or is there a real life desire to actually get to areas that cannot be gotten to ?

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by aknavy

With that cage, I'm assuming hung wall construction?

Actually no, walls are built on a jig, foam blocks are cut to fit and installed then the skin is vacuum laminated to the frame. Wall framing is them welded to the substructure.

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Actually no, walls are built on a jig, foam blocks are cut to fit and installed then the skin is vacuum laminated to the frame. Wall framing is them welded to the substructure.

And the foam block insulation does not "settle, separate or shake down" like that of the other styles of building walls/roof/floors..
You get what you pay for in this case....

[ThePowells]

I'm still trying to envision a routine maintenance item that would need to be performed that would not reasonably be done with the home still attached.

[AKIQPilot]

Originally Posted by ThePowells

I'm still trying to envision a routine maintenance item that would need to be performed that would not reasonably be done with the home still attached.

Yea, me too. I can get to everything on the chassis with relative ease. Much easier than my pick-up or my wife's car. Maintenance is fairly simple. Everything on my motorhomes is larger and heavier than my pickup but most everything is fairly easy to get at and maintain.

[cvbdsl]

OK so thinking about it.

- I have air leveling only, no jacks
- when leveling the chassis stays put, the house moves up and down using the air bags to their limit. Everything moves as one, fuel tank, water tank, luggage bays etc.
- I can raise the house and block it up to get clearance to work under it, that is the sides rise far enough up that I can "scoot" underneath. The chassis frame does not change of course. The blocks are for safety - if I loose the air the edge of the "house" is only a couple of inches off the ground and I'm not that thin!

So.... in theory yes the house could be raised
But I don't think it would be practical or even possible in real life. Way too many things to disconnect.



Chris

[AKIQPilot]

Originally Posted by cvbdsl

OK so thinking about it.

- I have air leveling only, no jacks
- when leveling the chassis stays put, the house moves up and down using the air bags to their limit. Everything moves as one, fuel tank, water tank, luggage bays etc.
- I can raise the house and block it up to get clearance to work under it, that is the sides rise far enough up that I can "scoot" underneath. The chassis frame does not change of course. The blocks are for safety - if I loose the air the edge of the "house" is only a couple of inches off the ground and I'm not that thin!

So.... in theory yes the house could be raised
But I don't think it would be practical or even possible in real life. Way too many things to disconnect.



Chris

Really?

[cvbdsl]

Originally Posted by AKIQPilot

Really?

https://validmanufacturing.com/divis...eight-systems/

Edit: My apologies - I've been corrected that the chassis rail does move along with the house.
Chris

[twinboat]

Sub frames, holding the axles are hinged to the chassis rails. The suspension is between them and the main chassis rails.

When the air bags inflate, the chassis rails, holding the body and engine, go up to level it.

[cvbdsl]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Sub frames, holding the axles are hinged to the chassis rails. The suspension is between them and the main chassis rails.

When the air bags inflate, the chassis rails, holding the body and engine, go up to level it.

Darn - wrong again Ok so it looks like the chassis frame does move because it is the house frame as well. When looking at it you can't see the chassis rail.


so unbolt the subframes holding the axles etcand you can raise the house but again no benefit to that. Overall not a practical idea anyhow.