The Archives- January 2002 |
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Motorhome
Construction |
| When
shopping for a motorhome it is
sometimes useful to go armed
with a little knowledge.
The physical construction of the
'caravan' part can sometimes be
the most difficult to repair and
therefore the most expensive, so
a little construction knowledge
can go a long way. One of the
variables you'll be faced with
is how your new Motorhome is
constructed. The seemingly
contradictory information you
receive from the different
salesmen can be turned into
solid purchase information that
can make your Motorhome buy a
better selection. You should be aware of a basic detail here: When it comes to price, you usually get what you pay for in the area of Motorhome construction. If you're looking at a very low-priced unit that's also loaded with features and accessories, the cost had to come out somewhere to keep the bottom line in control. Cutting construction corners often saves that cost. That said you should also keep in mind that any construction technique can deliver years of satisfactory service if the work is well done. For example, the lowest-cost construction method is wood framing with fibreglass insulation, often with aluminium skin outside and decorative panelling inside. This assembly technique is inexpensive, fast, and durable, and requires very few specialized tools at the factory, all of which are reasons why low-priced Motorhomes are almost always constructed this way. However, you also find some very good Motorhomes built with virtually the same materials, a testament to the technique's quality potential. Many medium and higher priced Motorhomes are built with aluminium framing. Apart from light weight and great strength, the chief advantage of an aluminium frame is that it does not rot if it gets wet repeatedly, which is the main potential long-term problem with wood framing. Building an aluminium-framed vehicle usually requires specialized tools and construction skills in the factory, plus the material is more expensive, which helps explain the use of aluminium in higher-cost Motorhomes. Many Motorhomes priced above entry level are built using laminated-structure techniques. This system assembles, for example, the wall framing, exterior skin, insulation and interior skin into a single unit using contact adhesives. The parts are joined by vacuum pressure or mechanical pinch-roller methods. Lamination has the advantage of eliminating visible exterior fasteners and it produces very strong wall, floor or roof assemblies. However, de-lamination (the rare occasion when the adhesive fails) was a problem in the past, and can be difficult to repair. Modern construction adhesives have all but eliminated this problem. Most laminated-construction Motorhomes are higher-priced models, but at the same time, many top-quality Motorhomes are built using non-laminated techniques. Roofs can be aluminium, fibreglass or EPDM rubber. Each material works well as a roof covering, and can deliver long, reliable service. Interior cabinets feature such materials as vinyl-clad wafer board, particleboard or plywood; others have solid-wood door framing and inexpensive panelling, or perhaps genuine hardwood is used throughout. The cabinet construction material generally corresponds to the Motorhome’s price level, but again, even the least-expensive materials can be a good value if it's built well. Regardless of the construction materials used, many questions about the Motorhome’s assembly issue can be answered by your own power of observation when shopping for a new unit. How the factory assembles all the familiar materials makes the difference between a good value, or just buying a cheap Motorhome. Look past the glitter and the new fabric to really see how the vehicle is built. Are visible joints tight and accurate? Are flat surfaces truly flat and smooth? Look under the wheel wells; are they well sealed, with cleanly detailed edges where the exterior skin meets the wheel well? Pull out a couple of drawers and look back inside the cabinets. How are wires and plumbing lines installed? Did the factory workers drill holes where wires or pipes route through a panelled bulkhead, or did they simply break a hole with the claws of a hammer. Are grommets used where the lines pass through a metal surface? These points can make a big difference. Checking these details can tell you a lot about the vehicle you're examining. Faced with similar features and construction materials, an Motorhome that's well assembled by people who care about the quality of their work can be a great buy, and worth a whole lot more than a pile of junk that's slapped together in the interest of making a fast buck. If you take your time with your shopping and vehicle inspection, you can find a great Motorhome value -- no matter what it's made of. |
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