Toured Forest River Oregon Plant

Thanks for the report Bill. It's good to hear they're running full steam ahead!
Did you notice anything particularly interesting about the assembly proccess? I once heard that they build parts of them upside down and then flip the entire assembly ~ did that seem to be the case?

No I didnt see anything like that. The framed trailers come in one door and the first thing is done its completley wrapped with a plastic tarp look thing, then the floor gets added on, followed by lino that covers the entrie floor area from front to rear.

I was able to have them weld a bracket on my frame so they can relocate the spare tire beneath the rear of the trailer. It would be nice if they were able to pre-wire for solar but was told no can do. I also tried to have them install LED lights on the outside but couldnt do that either. So I will just upgrade to the LED's once I take delivery.

For the solar, just run the wires up the back of the refer and through the roof vent.

Also at the factory, I think after the lino, the cabinets go in and then the outside panels and roof are the last to go one. It's backwards of a typical house.

We took the tour in 07 and was able to pick a different linoleum and carpet as our 5er went through the line. We were lucky enough to arrive when they were about to install them. The Manager was very helpful and friendly to us.

ScottandGrace wrote:Thanks for the report Bill. It's good to hear they're running full steam ahead!
Did you notice anything particularly interesting about the assembly proccess? I once heard that they build parts of them upside down and then flip the entire assembly ~ did that seem to be the case?

Not sure about FR, but when they attach the running gear to the frame at some plants they do it upside down and then flip the frame right side up. Makes for a much more efficient line and much easier on the techs who build it. The frame is attached to what looks like a giant barbeque spit.

Saw this on a show on PBS about two years ago.

I guess its possible in the frame portion of the plant. We didnt tour that portion. I know the frames are frames only no axles, then they said they attach the axles and I think paint the frames.

These guys build the frame for the Oregon Plant

http://zieman.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=113&Itemid=124

I don't know if they do the axles there or in the FR factory. I'd guess Zieman did it all. My frame has a Zieman ID tag on it above the pinbox.

I thought that Lippert supplied the frames for Forest River????

bsmall2800 wrote:I thought that Lippert supplied the frames for Forest River????

Same here.

Lippert owns Zieman.

Read this little history. http://zieman.com/

After talking to to Mike Oden, the plant manager in OR for Zieman, the west coast frames are pretty stout. I'm not sure how different the east coast frame shop is nowadays.

Well thanks for the info, had no idea of that...