Escapade 5/13/14

Day 11 - Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Day 2 of Escapade

The educational seminars began today.  They cover all sorts of topics that might interest an RVer, such as products you can add to your rig, handy tips for making life easier while traveling, ideas for places to go, safety, volunteering or working while RVing, full time living in your RV, etc.  I attended three seminars this morning.  One was by Jim and Chris Guld.  They are Geeks On Tour and travel full time giving seminars about all sorts of electronic devices and programs for them that one can use while traveling.

I went to two different seminars about RVing to Alaska this morning as well. 

At the one, given by Adventure Caravans, there was a door prize drawing at the end of the talk.  I was lucky enough to win the gift certificate worth $500.00 toward one of their adventures.  We have been to their Rose Parade and Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta rallies and really enjoyed them.  I am sure that whatever trip we choose to apply the certificate will be just as much fun.

This afternoon, we toured the Montana Trailer assembly line.  It is amazing how the trailers are put together.  They were not building our model of Montana, but the process is basically the same.  They start with a frame, attach the under belly insulation, axels, wheels, tires and jacks.  Then they run wiring, hoses, water lines and drop in the holding tanks for waste and fresh water.

After everything is in place, the floor goes on top.  Here, the board is on and some linoleum has been placed.

 

Next, the interior walls and cabinets go in as well as some of the fixtures are completed.  The shower is about ready to be put in place on this trailer.  The trailers are on dollies that you can see fairly well here.  This allows the units to be moved side ways down the assembly line

You may have noticed a lot of pieces higher up on a second level in the previous pictures.  All around the assembly line, various cabinets, fans, light fixtures, etc. are prepared to go into the trailer as it passes the appropriate point on the line.  That is some of what you are seeing.  Here, toilets are placed, one on top of the other, ready to be installed on a trailer as it arrives at that spot .

These are the exterior wall units that have been fabricated and laser cut for where windows, doors hatches, and slides will be put on later in the process.

Now the outside walls have been attached.  This is the pass through area before they hide it with black fabric covered walls, such as you can see off to the left in this photo.  You can also see the plumbing pipes, water heater, and water pump (little black thing at the bottom right with a white label).  Interestingly, you can see into the next trailer ,that is further in the assembly line, through the hatch opening of this trailer. 

Ceiling and fixtures have been added.  Since this trailer will have a large slide on each side, it is easy to see the trailer that is preceding this one down the line.

The roof and slides have been added, trim, windows, exterior lights, and vents installed and hatches are covered.

 

It is just about ready now.  The graphics have been added and furniture is in the process of being added inside.  The company is still recovering from the recession, but they are finishing the assembly of 18 trailers per day now.   Our tour is finished.

There was another evening of door prizes.  Getting ready... 

And the winner is out there...

Entertainment, tonight, was the Homestead Pikers from Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO.  The guy in the middle played the harmonica as well as sing.  The acoustics in the hall, that we were in for the performance, were not very good to be able to understand them.  I'm sure that they sound much better in their own theater.

That was a pretty busy day.  I think I'll get some sleep to be ready for tomorrow.