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Topic: ORED design considerations;  (Read 661 times) previous topic - next topic

ORED design considerations;

 These things are old and we are lucky to still be able to drive one.
  I have found some points of interest/concern for further use  and  thought that I would share.
 1) The water tank sits on plywood as part of the body. Full, it weighs  550# or more. Any compromise of the wood/body and it starts to sink.  As it sinks, it will pinch the chassis harness between the body and frame.  I have no idea what part of the harness goes through that joint, but I am sure that bad stuff will happen if it gets cut.
  The solution looks to be to  mount the tank  on the frame just below the wood.  Maybe 3 cross members added under the ply wood will contain the weight  for another 30 yrs.    Drill holes for water to escape the tank box. Paint the wood if it is good. 

2) My water heater was replaced in 2010 . There must be a missing  support brace under it. As it is now only mounted to the wall . Bouncing along the road has lead to the wall  bulging  at the mounting area.  Solution will be a brace, under the heater tank  and repair the outer wall .

3) The Driver side rear cap support relies on some square tubing loaded in shear  on rubber.  This will fail with any rust  and the corner will be unsupported.  Solution is too add a vertical tube  from the frame  almost straight up  to catch the cap tubing. loading the tube in compression.

4) The storage boxes near the tires seem to leak more than the rest.  Mine have compromised seals/caulking  in the wheel wells.  Solution is too caulk the seam and maybe spray foam the wheel well corners. Drilling holes in the boxes will help also.\
 If anyone has additions for this list, please  contribute.  MM     

Re: ORED design considerations;

Reply #1 –
I thought you were unsure of keeping the coach originally?
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: ORED design considerations;

Reply #2 –
 I just got back from the racing in Canada  with 8000 trouble free miles. 

Re: ORED design considerations;

Reply #3 –
On our 84 ORED I put metal cross braces under the plywood and had the metal on top of the frame to give it good support. My plywood floor had become very compromised and was allowing the tank to be lower than it should have been.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins
 

Re: ORED design considerations;

Reply #4 –
Thanks for the heads up Mike
1. No signs of sinkage yet
2. Appears to be wood 2x wedged under it.
3. My coach cap support is different due to side radiator.
4. Will add sealant, drain holes were on my coach.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake