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Old 11-07-2017, 04:35 PM   #21
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Location: Denison, Texas
Trailer: 2015 21'; 2011 19' sold; 4Runner; ph ninezero3 327-27ninefour
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Sounds great, Pat! Wish I were there!
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Old 11-07-2017, 04:52 PM   #22
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Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
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Originally Posted by rbryan4 View Post
I'm guessing that's one of the design elements that Airstream evaluated and determined would be better changed for mass production? I would have loved to see the frameless design.
As long as the cored composite construction is retained (I don't know if it has been), the use of the body as the structure, without a full-length frame, shouldn't matter much to production - the tongue and suspension (axle) would be bolted on then the trailer goes down the line like any other.

By the end, even Robert was questioning whether or not the "monocoque" or "unibody" design without a full frame was desirable enough to justify the increased cost. It was helpful to keep the trailer low, assuming that there was no space needed under the floor; however, I'm sure Airstream realized - as many people had already commented - that the design was not a very useful RV without adequate space for tanks. Shifting the body up by the height of the frame provides the needed tank space... and a place for the spare tire.

There would not be much weight difference, since the "frameless" design only eliminates the main frame rails (the entire tongue, suspension crossmember which is part of the axle, and structure for the bumper were still steel) and requires more material in the composite shell for strength.

In Robert's prototype, as he described (complete with photo) in FiberglassRV:
Quote:
The full size spare fits below the front nosecone storage box and between the towing delta frame arms. About a third of the spare crosses over into recess area built into the floor of the lower shell.
The spare has since shifted rearward, which is workable now that there is vertical space there.
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Old 11-07-2017, 05:06 PM   #23
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Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Trailer: 2020 Escape 17B "Voyager"
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Originally Posted by Donna D. View Post
Happier Camper satisfies both by having TWO doors. The hatch in the back and the standard side door.
True but that's a disadvantage, I think, when I tried to figure out arrangements I couldn't get the layout I wanted without blocking the side door. I liked having a rear access door as I had on the Campster. Although once in awhile I turned the trailer to put that door in a better position (easy to do by hand with the Campster, though.) Pull throughs, for example, are usually better if you can face away from the road.
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Old 11-07-2017, 07:47 PM   #24
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Location: Ventura County, California
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Sounds great, Pat! Wish I were there!
Picture of our beach camping in our avatar. Pat
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