Skip to main content
Topic: Build Quality ? (Read 1497 times) previous topic - next topic

Build Quality ?

Something tells me this would not have been the same result on a Foretravel !  Don't have any details on this other than it either got knocked or blown off the frame. 
I remember seeing posts on here about the build quality of other brands.  A picture says a lot.
Mark & Bev
2001 U295 36' Slide
Cummins ISC 8.3 350HP
Build #5802
Jeep Wrangler Toad

Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #1
It would certainly be interesting to know the background on this. 

If you google and look at motorhome accidents, you wonder why people ride down the road in some of these.  I know our Foretravels aren't completely crash-proof, but I do believe that the monocoque chassis must surely fare better than this.
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #2
It would certainly be interesting to know the background on this. 
  I know our Foretravels aren't completely crash-proof, but I do believe that the monocoque chassis must surely fare better than this.
A bit of monocoque until you get to the front and back. On a GV, there is the steel frame rails down low but not a scrap of steel/aluminum up higher. A high speed pigeon would come right through the nose and get you.

The windshields don't move and the body up front creaking and groaning when you transition to uneven ground because it's super rigid. Better than the crowd but I hate holding my breath when I turn off my driveway onto a parking spot. Windshields move but keeping fingers crossed. Probably the biggest reason I have collision insurance.

My GM 4107 was a true monocoque front bumper to back bumper. No noise or movement anytime. A HUGE difference driving.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #3
All Foretravels side walls are steel framed.  ftx roof frames were steel also
"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: Build Quality ?

Reply #4
Scary thing is, I read they found the guy still seat belted into the coach.
I guess it's a good thing the seat belts weren't bolted to the frame like they should have been.
Just sayin'
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #5
Never ceases to amaze me at what the RV builders can get away with.  If that had been a auto or truck manufacturer they would be in big trouble with the Feds.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #6
Not a great advertisement for Fleetwood.  Any details on how this happened?
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #7
The print that went with the pictures was as follows:

CHP - Susanville is feeling perplexed.
August 18 at 5:53 PM  ·
What the what????
In the afternoon of 08/17/20, while traveling on US-395 near the Secret Valley Rest Area, the driver of a motorhome, for unknown reasons, allowed his vehicle to drift to the left off the roadway.  The vehicle struck the hillside bordering US-395.  The impact caused the entire body of the motorhome to separate from the chassis.  The body of the motorhome, including the driver who was still seatbelted in the driver's seat, tipped over on its side onto US-395.  Both the body and chassis continuted sliding on the roadway before finally coming to a stop in the lanes of US-395. 
Amazingly, no injuries were sustained to the driver!  The motorhome, however, made need a little attention....
Retired Nurse and Bat Chief
2001 U320 36' 450 Cummins
Past 1981 Bluebird 36' 3208 Cat
HD2500 Chevy Toad

Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #8
As I understand it a monocoque has the outer skin load bearing, airplane, not to be confused with unibody, cars. Foretravel is a space frame, exoskeleton, or ORED has a ladder frame/chassis and is "fingers crossed" better attached to the body that that Fleetwood RV. We are all riding along in a bird cage wrapped in fiberglass.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #9
FTX of mine being built.

Maybe the first of its kind?
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #10
Mr Fore used to correct me personally when I said monocoque.  "bob, it's semi monocoque as it has internal dividers."
"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: Build Quality ?

Reply #11
How do you pronounce monocoque?  Mono-coke?
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #12
How do you pronounce monocoque?  Mono-coke?

Wondered how to properly pronounce it myself, maybe an English major will chime in.
 
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #13
Wondered how to properly pronounce it myself, maybe an English major will chime in.
monocoque pronounce - Google Search
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean


Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #15


https://www.powerthesaurus.org/monocoque

Monocoque | Definition of Monocoque at Dictionary.com
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #16
Here you go: pronounce monocoque  - Google Search These sites are always good. Drives me crazy the way people pronounce IKEA or Löwenbrau beer but most companies from Northern Europe are pretty easy to figure out. I is E, E is I, etc. But French like monocoque or most other French words are more difficult.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #17
Here you go: pronounce monocoque  - Google Search These sites are always good. Drives me crazy the way people pronounce IKEA or Löwenbrau beer but most companies from Northern Europe are pretty easy to figure out. I is E, E is I, etc. But French like monocoque or most other French words are more difficult.

Pierce
And if you had family in Denmark like I do, a v is a w.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #18
My understanding was that the pronunciation was mono cock, as in the French cock au vin. The suggestion from google seemed unpronounceable, mon comes out with a double a. In all my years of parling francais I've never heard it said anything like that. ? is goggle the ultimate arbiter, I think not. But then after 42 years I'm still having trouble with American, haha
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #19
Hmm. I like the way my brain says it, may not be right. Good to know the proper pronunciation. I won't be going around the RV park telling everyone what I have... semi or not!!
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #20
My understanding was that the pronunciation was mono cock, as in the French cock au vin. The suggestion from google seemed unpronounceable, mon comes out with a double a. In all my years of parling francais I've never heard it said anything like that. ? is goggle the ultimate arbiter, I think not. But then after 42 years I'm still having trouble with American, haha
Do you say I-key-yah or E-kay-yah?  :D  :D  :D  I learned mono-cock. But the most important words are Mon choux: my muffin,
Mon lapin: my rabbit or Mon ange: my angel,  all said with a smile.
Your surgery is sure different than ours and when we go in the theater, we don't worry about coming out again.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #21
C'est un petit Choux mes enfant,
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #22
We've been in lock down too long.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8


Re: Build Quality ?

Reply #24
Agree, brings out the craziness in many of us. Someone backed into me in the grocery store yesterday. Fortunately, our trailer hitch took all of it. I jumped out of the car but the silver Cadillac raced off. I got a partial but the ball took it all. Hope it punctured his bumper.

Perhaps we need a day of only Esperanto on the forum?

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)