Does Fleetwood use real wood?

[pequeajim]

I am looking at a 2011 Fleetwood Expedition and am wondering, do they use real wood throughoout? I mean like more than just the cabinet doors, (facias, cabinet boxes, and other trim)?

[jlfbatonrg]

The Expedition is a mid range coach in Fleetwood's lineup. Like almost all mid range coaches it uses a wrap for some of the wood look. Unlike some of the manufacturers, they use wood not particle board in their mid range coaches under the wrap.

[pequeajim]

Originally Posted by jlfbatonrg

The Expedition is a mid range coach in Fleetwood's lineup. Like almost all mid range coaches it uses a wrap for some of the wood look. Unlike some of the manufacturers, they use wood not particle board in their mid range coaches under the wrap.

Ok, then why use a wrap, because of the cheaper wood underneath?

[JacknKay]

Buy a Tiffin. All wood throughout.

[flaggship1]

Originally Posted by pequeajim

Ok, then why use a wrap, because of the cheaper wood underneath?

You could have cabinets made of platinum but one of the characteristics of platinum is that it is so hard that it scuffs and scratches, but doesn't lose much if any of its mass or content in the process. So you take your DWs ring to a jewler and have it buffed back into a shiny smooth surface.

All that to say, my experience with actual oak in a MH was you really have to keep it oiled - conditioned, whatever if it's going to sit under an awning our outside in the heat for any amount of time or it can / will crack, split etc.

Some laminates - wraps - lesser woods can take a little less polishing and waxing and hold up about as well as anything and some will delaminate or otherwise fall apart. Not all equal.

The point is ya have to take care of all it - hot weather is hard on wood and wood products - so is dampness. I think in FWs mid lines and up and even in my '08 Bounder DP its pretty well done. Cheap is a cheap term - and in this case I'd use less expensive. Others have had a different experience I'm sure. But I have seen cracked hardwood, and peeling varnish or other top coats in hardwoods more than once.

Who doesn't like natural wood, hand rubbed to a clean luster. Just not how we want to spend our time in the MH. 2 cents.

[datrbone8]

Originally Posted by pequeajim

Ok, then why use a wrap, because of the cheaper wood underneath?

I think weight may also have something to do with it

[rgreen45]

Steve makes a very good point regarding the care that genuine wood needs.

Water leaks and other moisture (e.g. long storage) probably do more damage than age or improper care. We get a lot of rebuilding jobs due to water. A huge problem is it's often a very small leak that would have taken intense inspection to find but after leaking for months or years, your RV is suddenly caving in.

[Lincolnboy2]

Originally Posted by jlfbatonrg

The Expedition is a mid range coach in Fleetwood's lineup. Like almost all mid range coaches it uses a wrap for some of the wood look. Unlike some of the manufacturers, they use wood not particle board in their mid range coaches under the wrap.

I have some of that 'wrap' that is coming loose on my upper and lower slide fascia trim pieces and have no clue how to fix or replace it.

It appears the wood underneath the wrap is real wood, not laminate or particle.

[jlfbatonrg]

Kent,

If you can get behind it (pry it up without breaking it) try some Loctite outdoor stick and peal glue to put it back in place. I have used it older coaches with the same problem, and it fixed them.

[Lincolnboy2]

Originally Posted by jlfbatonrg

Kent,

If you can get behind it (pry it up without breaking it) try some Loctite outdoor stick and peal glue to put it back in place. I have used it older coaches with the same problem, and it fixed them.

Great idea! That will work with the bedroom slide. The galley slide has some tears. I'm getting ready to re-finish the insert fabric on the fascias of the slide outlines and that is something I am going to have to contend with.

I'd like to just put a nice decorative trim piece across the entire with of it and remove all the trim. But that's kind of a mess too.

Still thinkingboutit.....

[ga traveler]

I bought a Fleetwood product because
I thought they were well made and have a large carrying capacity. I have told many customers not to buy a diesel pusher from other manufacturers because some diesel pushers we sold had only 1500 lbs Carrying capacity. One way Fleetwood does this is to use light wood with hardwood plastic covering. I get tired of people saying it is to be cheap. Yes it is cheaper, but the main reason is weight.

[Lincolnboy2]

Originally Posted by ga traveler

I bought a Fleetwood product because
I thought they were well made and have a large carrying capacity. I have told many customers not to buy a diesel pusher from other manufacturers because some diesel pushers we sold had only 1500 lbs Carrying capacity. One way Fleetwood does this is to use light wood with hardwood plastic covering. I get tired of people saying it is to be cheap. Yes it is cheaper, but the main reason is weight.

X2!

Actually, I went around with some Liquid Gold the first year I owned the coach and was surprised at how much real wood there is in the coach. Most all of the 'wrapped' wood is actual wood, not particle board or other. All of the cabinet doors and covers are wood and the drawers, shelves are wood, maybe just pine or fir but its better than that crappy particle board...

[FRR2EYW]

I have a 36 ft Fleetwood Expedition and I have to say the 7000 lb CCC is fantastic. I'll take a little "fake" wood to get that any day. It still looks great. I'l take that any day over the guy whose Country Coach front axel weight was 100 lbs below the max when the coach was empty.

[akeyzoo]

Solid maple throughout in my Rev.