Thor Forums

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by hello-RV

I am looking at winnebago vs Thor for next RV motorhome class A. Winnebago has superstructure. How important is it?

It was not a factor in my decision over Thor or Newmar Bay Sport for that matter, but whatever advantage it may bring is a bonus. I am certainly glad to have it versus the alternative of not. But the below lays out what it is and how they build over their competitors.

The below is from Lichtsinn RV: https://www.lichtsinn.com/blog/what-...ture-so-super/

What Makes Winnebago’s SuperStructure So Super?

From Winnebago’s smallest Class C coach to the largest diesel-pusher, coaches are built to Winnebago’s legendary SuperStructure construction design. But what about the construction is so super?

Interlocking Joints – Winnebago uses a specially designed interlocking joint to connect the floor, sidewalls, and roof to evenly distribute the weight, so our “empty shell” is so strong it doesn’t need internal reinforcement. Many competitors rely on simply screwing and gluing their sidewalls and roof together. But with all the weight borne only by those screws, the resulting structure is so weak it requires interior walls and cabinets for stability.

Laser-Cut Tubing – Precision laser cutters create precise joints in structural steel that are stronger and require less welding. While some manufacturers use less-accurate manual saws or cut-off saws. Winnebago’s precision laser cutter can also cut shapes into a tube, and even etches the length of each part directly onto the tube.

Thermo-Panel Sidewalls – By layering fiberglass and high-density block foam insulation with welded aluminum support structures, we create some of the industry’s strongest, most durable and lightweight sidewalls.

Embedded Steel – Metal substructures embedded into the sidewall provide solid attachments points to keep cabinets and appliances mounted securely in place. Other manufacturers mount cabinets and appliances to cheap pine wood boards placed inside the sidewalls, or even screw their appliances directly to the sidewall.

E-Coating – To help minimize corrosion, metal parts and components can feature one of several protective coating processes. Critical steel structural components are processed through a multi‑stage full immersion electro-*coating (e-coating) system. E-coating is also used by leading automotive companies to protect their vehicles from corrosion.

The process involves charging each part with an electrical charge which attracts the protective coating, causing it to be “plated” onto the part. The result is a uniform thickness of the protective coating. Components like screen doors are painted with a powder-coating process. A positive electric charge is applied to the part, which attracts the negatively charged powder particles. The coating is then baked on in heat chambers for an attractive, extremely durable finish. Many competitors apply a simple spray-on paint that doesn’t reach or protect nooks and crannies.

Winnebago’s legendary SuperStructure construction design is a process that has been developed and refined over more than 60 years of building some of the strongest, most durable coaches in the industry.