Manufacturer Drawings - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Ann and Steve · RV-Dreams Family Member

Manufacturer Drawings

Trabuco · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ann & Steve,

I purchased my Monaco used and it came with electrical and plumbing drawings but no structual drawings. These drawings are 11" x 14" in size. Not sure if you could ask for structual drawings (or the RV equivilant) if you purchase new or not.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

In an online discussion with an engineer at a manufacturer, it came out that it is difficult to "standardize" a wiring/structural/plumbing diagram due to some manufacturers doing custom modifications. I would guess that those that don't do modifications would have an easier time of it, but I've never heard of it being done.

Terry

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ann and Steve wrote:
Has anyone who has purchased a new unit (TT, 5er, MH, whatever) asked for manufacturer drawings? For my eventual 5er, I want to know where structural ribs are, electrical line drawings, plumbing, cabinet mountings, etc.
I presume that a new RV will come with the user's manuals for all on-board equipment (furnace, water heater, etc). Has anyone ever asked for installation manuals? How about repair manuals?

Steve:

You will generally get all the “paper work” that comes with the 3^rd party items the manufacture installs. The air conditioners, refrigerators and the like will usually have all the installation instructions provided as well as the user’s manual. But, depending on the rig manufacture, many of the rig itself manuals, especially for the 5ers, are pretty generic. The full repair manuals are not usually supplied as they do not come to manufacture from the OEM of the specific items – such as the hot water heater.

Most of the electrical drawings, if you can get one, are likewise pretty generic for 5ers, perhaps somewhat more complete for motor homes. As far as getting “shop drawings,” except on truly custom rigs where they rig specific, I wouldn’t count on it. It maybe a little over the top to say not two of these rigs are built the same, but not too much over the top. Many times, when you have an issue, you just have to call the factory and hopefully one of the repair techs will speak with you and tell you where that “little hidden in-line 12 volt breaker” may be hidden. Fortunately, there is usually someone who knows at the plant.

Honestly, many times what you get is in direct porportion to what you paid for the rig - but not always. That is our research and experience . . .

Bill

dewwood · RV-Dreams Family Member

Like others have said, the structural and electrical drawings are probably going to be hard to come by. I would highly recommend, if possible, visiting the manufactures production facilities to view a build in progress. If it can be arranged this is a very informative visit and helps a great deal with understanding where things are located. If possible a visit while your own unit is on the line is even better.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

dewwood wrote:
Like others have said, the structural and electrical drawings are probably going to be hard to come by. I would highly recommend, if possible, visiting the manufactures production facilities to view a build in progress. If it can be arranged this is a very informative visit and helps a great deal with understanding where things are located. If possible a visit while your own unit is on the line is even better.

Excellent suggestion! While they may not be all the same, take you camera. I have a lot of pictures of my “type” of rig in construction and they have sometimes been helpful in figuring out things or at least where things “might be.”

Bill

Trabuco · RV-Dreams Family Member

Another thing you can do is visit your rig and take pictures. As our present S & B was being built I took a bunch of pictures of everything as it was being framed all plumbing and electrical runs, slab etc. Being in the S & B for 20 years I have referred to these pictures many times. If I was purchasing an RV new this is exactly what I would do as they say a picture is worth a thousand words....