Were the Older RVs Better?

[RedneckExpress]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeatherTodd The new "magnum" v8s are not leaps and bounds better but enough to make a difference. Im talking stock vs stock. The transmissions... thats another story.

Frankly their leaps and bounds worse, with that Plenum Gasket bit of genius on the underside of the intake manifold. Nothing quite like dumping your coolant into your oil valley when the gasket fails.

93 was the first year of the Magnum junk engines, so I got lucky. I've also got the old fashioned V-belts as well instead of the serpentine bugger.

[kenyonman]

Having owned a 72, 77 and now an 06 I have to say that with the tech advances newer is better. Although the newer lighter weight materials don't seem to be as durable as the old cast iron tubs...

[steveclv]

I've had a 2004 Itasca, a 2002 Beaver and now I'm restoring a 1984 Monaco that sold for $90k in 1984.

I'm enjoying the work because it was so well put together - real wood throughout, screws and not staples.
The fact that I can work on a 25 year old Motorhome that is testament to the way that it was made and certain construction techniques used in it are better than what we have today - I'll never see delam because the sides were never laminated - sides were hung in place and the joins were calked and screwed.

Modern motorhomes have better engines and transmissions and far better chassis but the house parts are going to have a hard time lasting for 25 years and I really don't think I'd be too keen on working on a modern motorhome in 25 years time due to the amount of electronics - if the wiring rots then it would be a nightmare chasing wires.
If the roof leaks and gets into the fabric of the motorhome then how easy will it be to repair?

So yes, I think that earlier motorhomes were better made - but the new ones have a lot more features to offer you.

[Lorna]

How many of the 2000 era Rv's will be on the road 30 years later? Our 1977 Class C has had repair work plus needs some more. We do need to remodel it to accomodate current needs. Stacey will get our Class C for a few years until she decides what she needs in an RV to full-time in. Our RV has a wood frame which can be repaired. Our metal siding clad walls do not delaminate like the newer fiberglass units. I do wish the chassis frame was originally built heftier but I think we can have the original frame re-enforced with a little welding. We need to pull a 6000lb jeep plus a little cart.... or rather Stacey will at some point.