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Topic: Upper frame/coach floor construction? (Read 452 times) previous topic - next topic

Upper frame/coach floor construction?

We have a lot of posts dealing with the bulk head on the bottom of the frame, How is the top of the frame or coach floor constructed?
Is it similar to the lower construction?
How much weight can the coach floor support?
Just curious.
1995 U320C SE 40'
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Re: Upper frame/coach floor construction?

Reply #1 –
Actually there are three horizontal structural areas in unibody/unicoach Foretravels:
Floor of basement
Top of basement/coach floor
Roof

Very rare for there to be an issue except lowest one, since the others are far better protected from the elements.

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: Upper frame/coach floor construction?

Reply #2 –
I believe that it is similar, in that it is comprised of 1.5" square tubing with the horizontal frame members being continuous and except for the edges, the longitudinal members being shorter pieces butt welded in between. The outer most edge appears to be 1.5" angle iron that runs the entire length of the coach. There are areas which are laid out in a particular way to support various floor plan features that depends on the model and floor plan etc.  That is based some on observation and some on extrapolation from what can be seen. One thing for sure, wherever you have a compartment divider in the basement, there is a full length horizontal frame member in the coach floor above that the divider is bolted to with Roloks from above.

Don
Edit: Of course the area where the sliding step cover hides is different. There, since there is no place to put supporting frame members, there is a quarter inch thick steel plate a bit larger than the step cover that is presumably welded to square tubing that surrounds the steps. This solid steel plate definitely does the job of supporting the weight!
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Don & Tys
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Re: Upper frame/coach floor construction?

Reply #3 –
Is the area in which the pilot and copilot seats are mounted different in any way from the standard steel frame, foam, and fiberglass sandwich, than in the other areas we are discussing?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
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Re: Upper frame/coach floor construction?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: TulsaTrent –
Is the area in which the pilot and copilot seats are mounted different in any way from the standard steel frame, foam, and fiberglass sandwich, than in the other areas we are discussing?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent


Yes, the structure from behind the front bulkhead to the front of the rear bulkhead is the grid system we have all been talking about.  In front of and behind this "unibody" type structure is different, as the suspension and drive train require more robust support.
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