Orphan RV

[GrittyGGoose]

My 1994 23’ Europa has been identified as an orphan. I was made aware of this while attempting to have the power window fixed. I was so surprised since it is on a Chevy chassis. I learned that the coach manufacturer installed the doors. Searching for parts has become a theme in the short time I’ve owned my orphan.

Compared to parts availability for other older models, relatively few Europa RVs were produced. I’m on the hunt for the part that operates the driver window. By the way, the passenger side won’t work, design is specific for each side.

I’m facing a decision to keep my orphan or look for another, especially considering the production volume and ease of finding parts.

I’ll be adding questions regarding whether a rig is considered an orphan, parts availability and production. Perhaps my experience may be useful for others.

[A32Deuce]

I would pull the part out of the door then go to a NAPA store, look for an older clerk and see if you can't match it up. I would do that for both doors.

[richard5933]

Pictures of what you're looking for?


The company didn't create their own power window mechanism - likely they pulled something from an existing parts bin. Trick will be to find what make/model they used.

[avfordguy]

Wow I looked at a you tube of the Europa, and the driver door was modified by the rv builder, there has to be a name stamped on it somewhere.

[GrittyGGoose]

Thanks
I looked everywhere and couldn’t find a name
I sent pictures to salvage yards and so far no one has the part
I’m taking the pictures to NAPA ( I have to cut wires to remove)

[avfordguy]

Is it the window motor? Or the window regulator?

[GrittyGGoose]

The motor seems to work
The regulator looks like someone did spot welding or something like it to repair it
I tried to send picture but was unsuccessful
Thanks

[GrittyGGoose]

Thanks. The NAPA rep was most helpful and thinks the part is a Ford. Problem seems to be the modification of the teeth on the motor.

I tried to attach picture of the modified motor

So far no luck
I’m grateful for the replies.

[A32Deuce]

Looks like a,power window motor with a toothed gear tac welded to the window drive gear. The small teeth look ok just may need to be spaced out or bent out some. Hard to tell in the pic.

[richard5933]

Can you merge the good parts of a new motor with the gears of the old one?

[A32Deuce]

Looks like a,power window motor with a toothed gear tac welded to the window drive gear. The small teeth look ok just may need to be spaced out or bent out some. Hard to tell in the pic.
Looks like the added gear teeth are worn enough to skip. May not have been made from the best grade material. I would spend the money and find a machine shop that could duplicate the added gear and have several made to replace the others. They could use better material to make the gear. A carbide cutter burr should make short work of the tac weld. Then you could JB Weld the new gear on. I know a lot of work but in the long run you would be ahead. That's what I would do.

[GrittyGGoose]

Thanks. The machine shop wants $1,000 and no promises that it will work. I’m hesitant to go that route. I don’t understand why a regular part wouldn’t work even if it were a entirely new power window assembly.

[A32Deuce]

A power window motor does not have a toothed gear on it like yours. The part that is welded is the oridginal window motor. The problem looks to be from the material they used to drive the shade. Good engineering but poor material choice and tolerance of the parts.

[RickNC]

All motorhomes over 20 years old are orphans except for the chassis. You just need to change your approach, instead of trying to repair a cobbled up motor. I would take some measurements of the glass width plus the travel and look for a complete regulator assembly to fit within the existing door cavity. Then fabricate and weld or fasten in tabs to hold the new regulator in place Complete regulators can be had for <$100. Hot rodders use this approach often to put power windows in 50's and 60's cars. I did it myself to a 1954 Ford I rodded back in the 1980's. If you are paying someone else to do your work on a vintage motorhome, stop! unless you have lots of money to spend. You need to be resourceful and do as much of your own work as possible.


Here is an example of a complete assembly. 4 bolts hold the motor assembly the lifting rail goes to the glass or the existing lift rail. The other section is the guide that keeps the lift running vertical basicaly you would just need a plate for the motor assembly 2 tabs for the guide and what ever mods you need to make for the lift rail. 2 wire control just reverses the polarity to the motor