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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Red Bay Factory Tour #3

Yesterday was the third time Pam and I have been on the factory tour at Tiffin Motor Homes.  It continues to fascinate us and we learn something every time.  One of the great things is that we can wander through the assembly line and walk around where ever we want to after the tour gets started.
Everyone had to wear protective glasses and a headset so we could hear Red Davis, our tour guide.
The tour doesn't start at the beginning of the build process but I will try to put some of the pictures in order.
When they roll the chassis up to the first station, the frame has to be completely leveled and squared up if is a Freightliner.  If it is a Powerglide chassis (made by Tiffin) they don't have to take that extra step.

A computerized saw cuts out the laminated sides. Metal tubing and some wiring connections get put into place early in the process.  The basement cupboards get lined with a coat of felt or a similar material that is glued onto the metal.

The sides go up and into place. 
 There must be a dozen wiring harnesses that get put in place along the line.
The roof gets secured with long screws.

The myriad of cupboards and boxes and other woodwork gets secured into place along the way before the walls go up.
Toward the end the glass gets put into place for the windshield.
It was a 90 minute tour and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

I asked Bob to take our picture with Red Davis.  He gave it a shot but took one of himself instead.
There we go!  Red is 83 years old and going strong!

After the tour we had to stop at the latest 'Sonic-like' burger stand.
In Red Bay it is called 'The Cardinal Drive-In.  mmm - the burgers were good!

That was our day on the Roadrunner Chronicles!  Thanks for joining us!  

8 comments:

  1. That sounds like a very interesting tour to go on - thanks for showing us some of it.

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  2. Red is one of the nicest fellows in the whole Red Bay experience!

    Isn't it amazing how free you are to intermingle with all the employees as they make the coaches?

    Bob Tiffin knows, and has taught them that each one sells the company, and the product!

    It is a family like experience. Amazing!

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  3. I had forgotten that they offer that! I wonder if there is an age-limit... my Little One would LOVE to take that tour.

    Great pictures...

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  4. Thanks for the tour!..They all sure seem friendly..and take the time to visit while building RV's....Hope you can start crossing things off your list soon!

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  5. h we love factory tours! So far we have done Monaco, Gulf Stream and Newmar. Next time we get down thataway we will hit up Tiffen.

    It really looks interesting.

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/Ohh

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  6. Hey Randy.....don't miss the paint factory tour. Many people miss it because it's at a different location. It also is a very amazing process!!!

    Paul
    wheresweaver.blogspot.com

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  7. Love the tour, you are a fabulous guide! Keep on blogging.

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  8. Hi Randy & Pam

    So glad to finally get caught up with you. I don't have to be at work till 10:45 so finally have a few free minutes.

    Enjoyed the tour. We have talked about different tours we would like to do.

    Hope you both have a great day and that the repairs on the home go quickly.

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