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06-23-2018, 07:27 PM
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#1
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 3,145
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Quote:
Originally Posted by avanti
My 2014 3500 non-extended GWV legend weighed out at 9460 lbs with full fresh and fuel tanks, fully configured and stocked for use and two passengers. I think 9100 is a very realistic target with a little effort.
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The biggest bang for the bank in weight savings would likely by designing cabinets with strong and light weight frames. At the beginning phase of my conversion I compared fully walled plywood versus aluminum framed with thin filler panels and the difference with large. Close to half of my conversion weight is in cabinets. My dry weight was less than 7500 lbs. and fully loaded including us and Stowaway hitch container less than 8000 lbs.
Some folks are still using 5/8” to 3/4” either plywood or hardwood fully walled cabinets, that is heavy. I think that strong either wood or aluminum frames with just decorative or cargo holding walls would be the best bang for the buck.
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06-24-2018, 04:30 PM
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#2
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Platinum Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Greer, South Carolina
Posts: 2,611
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The diesel engines are pretty heavy. On the Promaster models, the diesel drivetrain was 500 lbs heavier than the gas engine.
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06-24-2018, 07:27 PM
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#3
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,191
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GeorgeRa
The biggest bang for the bank in weight savings would likely by designing cabinets with strong and light weight frames. At the beginning phase of my conversion I compared fully walled plywood versus aluminum framed with thin filler panels and the difference with large. Close to half of my conversion weight is in cabinets. My dry weight was less than 7500 lbs. and fully loaded including us and Stowaway hitch container less than 8000 lbs.
Some folks are still using 5/8” to 3/4” either plywood or hardwood fully walled cabinets, that is heavy. I think that strong either wood or aluminum frames with just decorative or cargo holding walls would be the best bang for the buck.
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Right on George! I wish one of the manufactures used the lightweight framing method as you did. It looks like it is only DIYers doing it now. Anyone know of a builder that would make lightweight framed cabinet on a B-van conversion?
I guess the problem is the framed cabinets are more labor intensive.
The grossest thing I've seen in RV Industry is installing granite countertops and ceramic tile floors in large RVs.
- - Mike
2012 Sprinter 3500 Extended converted B-Van by Airstream
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2024 Airstream Interstate 19
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06-25-2018, 12:15 AM
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#4
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 3,145
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boxster1971
Right on George! I wish one of the manufactures used the lightweight framing method as you did. It looks like it is only DIYers doing it now. Anyone know of a builder that would make lightweight framed cabinet on a B-van conversion?
I guess the problem is the framed cabinets are more labor intensive.
The grossest thing I've seen in RV Industry is installing granite countertops and ceramic tile floors in large RVs.
- - Mike
2012 Sprinter 3500 Extended converted B-Van by Airstream
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With 21st Century tools the cost of engineering would go up but assembly labor should go down if staplers are removed (even forcefully) from manufacturing floors in lieu of engineering tools and modern machine park. Cost of engineering would certainly go up but it should be distributed among many builds. Cabinets frames could be CNCed, from plywood, walls laminated on presses, and the total assembly glued together, no staples. But, there are folks today who would refuse to own a car without an iron block and heads.
I am in the midst of planning a trip to Bled Slovenia and Trieste Italy for a week or 2 and Adria in Novo Mesto will be an hour away. I will try to get a tour, not being a customer, I am not sure it will be possible. Perhaps I can compare it with the local Van Specialties being business for the last 45 years.
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06-25-2018, 01:09 AM
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#5
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,191
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GeorgeRa
With 21st Century tools the cost of engineering would go up but assembly labor should go down if staplers are removed (even forcefully) from manufacturing floors in lieu of engineering tools and modern machine park. Cost of engineering would certainly go up but it should be distributed among many builds. Cabinets frames could be CNCed, from plywood, walls laminated on presses, and the total assembly glued together, no staples. But, there are folks today who would refuse to own a car without an iron block and heads.
I am in the midst of planning a trip to Bled Slovenia and Trieste Italy for a week or 2 and Adria in Novo Mesto will be an hour away. I will try to get a tour, not being a customer, I am not sure it will be possible. Perhaps I can compare it with the local Van Specialties being business for the last 45 years.
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The aerospace industry in USA is only one concerned about weight. The auto industry has made some motions toward weight reduction to meet MPG requirements. But that is stalled now. A lot of USA culture like those who "refuse to own a car without an iron block and heads" is driven by the low cost of fuel in this country. I don't have any hope of that changing in my lifetime. 
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2024 Airstream Interstate 19
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06-25-2018, 01:17 AM
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#6
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Platinum Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: California
Posts: 674
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boxster1971
The aerospace industry in USA is only one concerned about weight. The auto industry has made some motions toward weight reduction to meet MPG requirements. But that is stalled now. A lot of USA culture like those who "refuse to own a car without an iron block and heads" is driven by the low cost of fuel in this country. I don't have any hope of that changing in my lifetime. |
IIRC, I had an aluminum V6 in my 1963 Buick Special.
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2018 Coachmen Crossfit/Beyond
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06-25-2018, 03:11 AM
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#7
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 3,145
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06-25-2018, 12:32 PM
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#8
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 5,967
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GeorgeRa
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I'm not sure why you posted this here. It is not Erwin Hymer Group or MB Sprinter related to BEG guidelines.
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Davydd
2021 Advanced RV 144 custom Sprinter
2015 Advanced RV Extended body Sprinter
2011 Great West Van Legend Sprinter
2005 Pleasure-way Plateau TS Sprinter
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06-25-2018, 09:40 PM
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#9
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Platinum Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,191
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GeorgeRa
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I wonder how big Adria is compared to Hymer? Then one wonders who sells to most on the global market. Hymer made theri move into North America will Adria do the same? Maybe partner with or buy another US/CAN company?
__________________
2024 Airstream Interstate 19
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