New to Classic Winnebago

TSegerson · November 10, 2020, 05:36 PM

Hello One and All,
New owner of a 1983 Winnebago Chieftain. Looking for info on manuals, restoration ideas, and customizing the motorhome. Looking to make a Radical motorhome out of the old beast. Right now working on the brake system. Tom

Oz · November 10, 2020, 08:05 PM

Hello and welcome!
Would love to hear you plans for a "radical" winnebago.

c farmer · November 10, 2020, 08:10 PM

Welcome I have a 1982 Cheftain. Shes a beast. Also if you become a paying member it unlocks manuals, and alot of them.

TSegerson · November 20, 2020, 03:51 PM

I've built radical custom cars, motorcycles, bicycles, etc. I'm looking to streamline my '83 Chieftain and making it more aerodynamic. Am looking into cutting the rear end off and making it a Kamm back. More to follow.

Oz · November 20, 2020, 10:25 PM

If you want to make it more areodynamic, you'll have to cut off the front end too, lol! After the last century, designers gave up on that for the front ends. Notice they have all been flat, square since. I think the angled fronts of the 1980s is about as aerodynamic as they were made.

tmsnyder · November 23, 2020, 08:10 AM

1973-1978 GMC motorhomes, the only motorhome built by a major automobile manufacturer, was designed in their wind tunnel to have a low drag coefficient. Drag coefficient was 0.31 on their model.

Here's a good overview, radical for its day!

http://www.bdub.net/publications/GMC_Motorhome_-_The_Story_of_a_Classic.pdf

TSegerson · November 25, 2020, 12:27 PM

I'm looking to cut and extend the front end, round it and taper the top over the windshield. Cut the back off and shorten it by about a foot, build the bumper into the rear of the body. The other ideas include a full undertray to clean up the air flow under the body. Goal is to increase fuel mileage and better handling in winds and heavy interstate traffic. More later. Thanks for the comments and input. Tom

Oz · November 25, 2020, 01:58 PM

That's quite a bit of modification. The frontal aerodynamics don't affect anywhere near as much of the handling characteristics as does the big, long, flat sides. It's the side air blasts which push you around. Well maintained steering and suspension, as well as air bags do more than anything else. As for increasing gas mileage, don't be disappointed if you olny gain .01 mpg. There were several, very aerodynamically designed RVs in the 70s and they got the same mileage as the rolling bricks.

tmsnyder · November 27, 2020, 09:56 AM

Quite a bit of truth here, I assume you're referring to the 70's GMC motorhome? I have a 76 and you are right, I'm not seeing the mpg improvement over the big square brick that the aerodynamic shape should deliver. It's better but not leaps and bounds.

My Holiday Ramber slope nosed Class A brick gave me 7.6mpg over 19,000 miles. The GMC is quite a bit smaller so it's punching through a much smaller area and I'm getting 8.5mpg over 1200 miles. Common thought on these is they give 8-11 mpg.

All of the mpg improvement could be attributed to the smaller size, it doesn't seem like the aerodynamics play much of a role.

It is much easier to drive though and isn't nearly as effected by trucks blowing by.

Quote from: Oz on November 25, 2020, 01:58 PM
That's quite a bit of modification. The frontal aerodynamics don't affect anywhere near as much of the handling characteristics as does the big, long, flat sides. It's the side air blasts which push you around. Well maintained steering and suspension, as well as air bags do more than anything else. As for increasing gas mileage, don't be disappointed if you olny gain .01 mpg. There were several, very aerodynamically designed RVs in the 70s and they got the same mileage as the rolling bricks.

Oz · November 27, 2020, 01:40 PM

Over the years, that's pretty much the observations I gathered from our owners of all kinds of makes, models, and years. Aside from driving habits, terrain, and mechanical condition, I assume power to weight ratio plays an important role.

Elandan2 · November 27, 2020, 05:06 PM

Don't forget the difference in fuel. Today's gasoline is mixed with 10-15% ethanol reducing the available power (BTU's) in the fuel. In addition, these vehicles engines were not designed to use this type of fuel.

Oz · November 27, 2020, 06:06 PM

Very good point! I run Lucas ethanol treatment in my old engines.

c farmer · November 28, 2020, 10:50 PM

Quote from: Oz on November 27, 2020, 06:06 PM
Very good point! I run Lucas ethanol treatment in my old engines.

Maybe I should too? Never thought about it.

Oz · November 29, 2020, 06:11 AM

It definitely makes a difference in my 95 Chevy truck.

Oz · November 29, 2020, 06:13 AM

Aerodynamic front end. Cutting and rounding it.
Here's about as aerodynamic as Winnebago made them.
1987 Elandan.

An add-on downdraft spoiler was also made which simply attached to the top triailing edge of the rear. Not "radical", like a kammback, but does the same job of eliminating the turbulence which causes the "pull back" effect without having to taper the rear, sacrificing the height of the interior, or extending the body to impractical length.

TSegerson · December 01, 2021, 12:23 PM

Thanks for the input. Appreciate all the comments, photos and links to info. I'm in the process of getting ready for the winter and won't get much work done on the body until spring.

Will post a photo of a custom car I built in the 1980. It went from 6-8 mpg to 10-12 with some radical body modifications. Have to dig out the old, pre-digital photos. Most people couldn't tell which model or make it was based on.

I really like the old FMC 2900R design, but hard to find and limited room on the inside.

Have a great holiday season!

Tom

Oz · December 04, 2021, 03:02 AM

You too!

LJ-TJ · December 04, 2021, 10:52 AM

Allow me to submit for your consideration. Covers front, back and sides. Also one of my favorit desighs of all times for efficentcy Hm?
https://www.google.com/search?q=C.N.+Turbo+Train&client=opera&hs=0iv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi4iuj7vsr0AhXMHM0KHZbfCCcQ_AUoAXoECAIQAw&biw=1243&bih=550&dpr=1

https://www.google.com/search?q=Vixion+Motorhome&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjh9Pj-vsr0AhWcg3IEHaEEAIMQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=Vixion+Motorhome&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoFCAAQgAQ6CAgAEIAEELEDOggIABCxAxCDAToLCAAQgAQQsQMQgwE6BAgAEEM6BggAEAgQHlCAFVjvNmCPPGgAcAB4AIABeIgB9wuSAQQxNC4zmAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=f42rYaG5PJyHytMPoYmAmAg&bih=550&biw=1243&client=opera&hs=0iv

TSegerson · December 21, 2021, 05:07 PM

Yep, good links and interesting aerodynamics.

I've ridden the EuroStar from Paris to London. It's not quite the bullet train that the Japanese and Chinese have developed but really smooth and quiet.

As for the BMW Vixen. I used to work for BMW, as a technician, then in sales, and parts departments. I've got photos of a Vixen at Mid-Ohio race track from back in the late 70s! Time flies when you're getting old!

The P30 Chevy chassis on my Winnebago seems to be pretty good, but I will look to improve it with upgrades. Any suggestions?

As for aerodynamics. There are so many holes, gaps, lumps (A/C units, etc.) that used to stick out on this rig it's amazing that it got more than 3 MPG!

I'm going to start with the roof and have already removed the roof rack and other pieces.

More later.

Have a Happy and Safe Holidays!