Start Of Another Work Day
Another Day Begins
So we’ve made it to day 5 already and we have another time Lapse at the end. :)
Fireplace Install
TV Install
The fireplace and televisions get unboxed and installed. After they have them all hooked up they test them to make sure everything is working like it’s supposed to. And it is.
Yeah!
While the fireplace and tv’s are going in, the front cap is put on.
Front Cap Being Installed
Front Cap Being Installed
It’s interesting to watch them put on the front cap. They lift it up by a forklift and two guys are up on the roof guiding it into place. The front cap lines up perfectly. Looking at the roof top photo it’s amazing to see how many wires and cables are in that front end.
While this is going on the driver’s side window (which is automatic) get’s installed and tested.
We also get a front door and they finish off the wiring and install of the rest of the dash.
How exciting!
Front Dash Installed
Front Door Being Installed
I know I’ve said this before but it really is amazing how many people work on your coach at once. This is how they can produce a coach in only 4 days.
I know my post title says day 5, however most people don’t count the days that it’s in the mechanics shop or weld shop. I did as we watched every station. Then again we didn’t watch them build the actual chassis, sorry for that. They build the chassis’ usually a couple weeks in advance, I believe. So we were not here for that.
Once the coach moves to station 1 in the main plant, it does only take 4 days to get completed. Then it’s off to paint, which again, people don’t really count. Once it’s in the paint shop it’s another 2-3 weeks.
And yes, we will be blogging about that process to.
So back to our day…
Once the front cap was in place, the door and window on and interior amenities installed it was off to another building.
Just across the alley is station 11.
Basement Doors Being Installed
Awning Rails Waiting To Be Put On
This is where all the basement doors are put on. As a team is going around the coach doing this another inspector is inside the coach going through everything and checking everything.
With all this excitement going on at ground level another guy is on our roof installing the awnings and rails.
Rails Going On
David Watching Everything
David can’t wait for the Paramount awnings. He’s so excited.
So once the guy gets them installed, of course, he has to inspect them to make sure everything is working like it should.
Awning Getting Lifted Into Place
Testing Out The Awnings
Everything worked like a charm.
So on to the next station back in the main building across the alley again.
Station 12 and 13 are were they put on all the trim pieces and drawers.
Trim Pieces Going Up
Drawers Going In
All the trim and drawers are made at the wood shop a few days in advance. So everything is ready to go in. The girls come in and just start nailing them into place.
More inspections are made and it’s the end of another day.
Tomorrow should be our last day in the main plant before we go off to paint.
Now I seriously need to get some sleep. These 5 am wake up calls are getting really old real quick.
Oh, here is the time lapse of stations 10 through 13…
And here are the images taken today. For best results click PicLens below…
If it’s not too personal, how did you negotiate the price of the MH? I just assume that you don’t get as good a price if you have it built rather than buying from what’s on the lot at dealership.
Hi…We contacted four dealers and went with Davis Motorhome based on price and reputation. I think if you are looking at new ones, do yourself a favor and call Danny Davis and see what a new one built would cost vs one you may be looking at on a dealers lot. You might be surprised…we were.
I am loving watching these videos – fascinating!! And I love your shirts – you two should be on the Tiffin payroll by the end of all this!! How much longer will you be there? We’re planning our trip there in the next week or two – I hope you’ll still be there!
Hi…We will be here until the end…all the way until we see it ready for delivery. So we will be here until the end of February. We are staying in the Tiffin Service Center Campground, “Camp Red Bay”, in our current coach.
The shirts were a fun idea we had about 2 weeks before we got here. :)
Ah, I thought that Tiffin made those and gave them to you! :)
BTW…Bring sweaters. It’s really cold here right now. Can you do us a favor and bring some heat with you?
It is amazing. Thanks for sharing it with us. I look forward to watching it’s progress. You two look great even for the wear. See you got the shirts autographed already. What memories you are creating with this experience and what publicity for Tiffin. I know they love it.
Thanks Annette. We are having fun and the Tiffin people are really getting a kick out of signing the shirts.
Miss you guys. We hope to still get back to you sometime in March.
I am having such fun watching your new home come together and I can’t help but compare it to how nasty you were treated last year by Winnebago! Such a difference in company pride, attitude toward the customer and quality assurance between the two companies! I am so glad that you found out about Tiffin and are able to SEE and KNOW how your coach is built! Will there still be some problems to tinker with and solve? Probably, no one is perfect. But I feel confident that Tiffin will take care of those with haste and to your satisfaction! They will not insult you like Winnebago did. You are showing that Tiffin is a prime example of Made in America….with Pride!
Hugs and love…
What an awesome experience. And as others have said, while it may not seem like it when you had all your problems, things happen for a reason and often our greatest joys come after some of our toughest moments.
Hey guys Hope everything is going great!
Wanted to tell ya’ll to have them put carpet under the brake pedal area! It makes it have a cleaner look! Have Fun! This is Kim!
Hi Kim! Hows the coffee. :) We are going to have a full front entrance carpet made and also a dash cover. So we should be good to go! Thanks!
Coffees great! I’ll always remember you guys when i have coffee! Thanks for the Kuerig!!
I see my TV Man Chris. He was one of my favorites!! Wonder if Magic Man (does magical wood work) will do your line as well!!
Chris was great to work with and was one of our favs also!
If Magic Man is the wood working guy that wears his hair in a long braid down his back, then yes. He does work wonders. I just wish I could remember everyone’s name. It’s amazing how many people actually have a hand in building your coach.
Yes that was him!! Your right there were so many people. It was easier at the beginning. But the last few stations there were so many people in and out of ours that it was crazy. That all girl wood working crew was amazing as well!
What happened to the kitchen slide? It was in there and now it isn’t. I agree with the other comments. Tiffin builds a Quality coach. We have been Winnebago owners and it looks like our next one will be a Tiffin.
Hi Jim…
In keeping with that thought on quality…you will be happy to know that a mistake was made while that slide was being installed and they choose to make a totally new complete slide vs just fixing it.
You see, someone had bumped into the water pump switch by mistake and the plumbing was not yet hooked up under the skin in that slide. Water pored into the slide and no one knew it until they went to drill the holes for the mounts and water came out. So I guess you CAN SAY that the new slide seem-less boxes ARE water tight. ;)
The plant manager was called and he took one look and had them pull the slide and had a new one started without even considering just trying to dry the floor out.
It was at this time, our first issue, that we knew we were in good hands and made the right choice.
It would be good to note Brenda and I did not even know it had happened as we were not right their at the time. He came to ind us and told us. I also recall him saying that “Mr. Tiffin would not want it any other way and we try to do right by Mr. Tiffin for our customers. It would not matter if you were here or not, I would have done the same.”
Our reply…Mistakes happen, It’s all good.
Thank You David, This is just one more reason to look at Tiffin. They truly care about how their coaches are built. I think you have picked a winner.
Brenda the woodworking guys name is Noonie! He’s awesome!
David, thanks so much for the info. We contacted Davis RV last week, went to Houston rv show over the weekend to look Tiffins, and ordered or motorhome from David Davis yesterday. So far, it’s been a great experience.