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Construction question

Okay, the English teacher in me is showing. I'm looking at the specs for the 1993 U300 GV, and see "one piece fiberglass roof and sidewalls" there. I'm assuming that whoever wrote that actually means that there are three pieces, a left sidewall, a roof, and a right sidewall, rather than one giant piece shaped like an upside down "U" that covers the two sides and the top of the coach. (That would be an impressive vacuum-forming machine!) Are the five fiberglass pieces (front and rear endcaps, left and right sides, and roof) all glassed together after being installed on the coach, thus forming a single unit? If so, that would make for a very strong body, but what about expansion and contraction? Is that an issue?

Has the construction method changed any since 1993 as far as sides and roof are concerned? Obviously there are some style differences, but is what we saw at the factory pretty much what was done in the mid 90's?

Re: Construction question

Reply #1 –
Yes, roof, sides, floor structure, front an rear caps can be found on all Unihomes and Unicoaches.

The metal framing of the pieces are bolted/screwed together, not fiberglass bonded.  I suspect fiberglass would not have the flexibility needed for expansion/contraction or road bumps.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Construction question

Reply #2 –
U in the model designations of the Unihome and Unicoach models stands for unitized body construction.  I think this has follow through on all the newer models  The 1987 Grand Villa Unihome was the first conventional motorhome to utilize the a monocoque  (unibody or unitized body) chassis design.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Construction question

Reply #3 –
I don't mean to hijack this post, but I have a question about construction.

Is there any plywood used in the roof under the Fiberglass shell?
I have probed this area a few times and find fiberglass"resistance" after piercing the insulation board.
 I was looking to instal a smoke detector and thought that a screw long enough to penetrate the ceiling skin and the insulation plus enough to anchor into a piece of plywood without penetrating it would secure the detector. Does not seem to be anything "soft" up there to grab a screw.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Construction question

Reply #4 –
You should call FOT on that but I would think above the aluminum framework there is a sheet of 1/8th board to get the base for fibreglass etc, but am not sure. I know in my old 93 GV the headliner was glued to foam then this thin ply  screwed to frame.
John H
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Construction question

Reply #5 –
I can't speak to the roof, but the attached picture shows the sidewall construction. My guess is that the roof is similar, but that guess is worth about what you paid for it... ;D The picture shows a cross section of the sidewall that I made when putting in the dryer vent and has the outter skin on top going down to the inside wall blue insulation which is attached to what looks like FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic), then 1/4" luan plywood which is under the wall paper.
Don

Quote from: Lon and Cheryl –
I don't mean to hijack this post, but I have a question about construction.

Is there any plywood used in the roof under the Fiberglass shell?
I have probed this area a few times and find fiberglass"resistance" after piercing the insulation board.
 I was looking to instal a smoke detector and thought that a screw long enough to penetrate the ceiling skin and the insulation plus enough to anchor into a piece of plywood without penetrating it would secure the detector. Does not seem to be anything "soft" up there to grab a screw.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Construction question

Reply #6 –
Just remove the interior cover/cowling and sheet metal cover on your roof air and you can see the hole cutout showing the makeup of the roof.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback
 

Re: Construction question

Reply #7 –
I should be able to answer my own question. I replaced a 5'X6' section of the roof over the fridge from a fire. I certainly "thought" there was a layer of plywood under the fiberglass but when I think I'm going to hit it and anchor something light, its no where to be found.

Good suggestion, I will look around my bedroom A/C unit.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.