[arcticdude]

The older birds, prior to 98, where (and still are!) all steel. The only exception to this is the end caps on the last in the series, which had fiberglass end caps (as do most coaches). All those were built on a massive steel box rail frame with steel encircling girders and panels comprising the body/house portion. They are extremely tough coaches. I know of one that rolled avoiding an accident that occurred in front of it. The coach was set back on its tires and driven home. Both windshield panels remained in place! I personally have pulled parts off a wrecked 96 that rear ended a semi at speed (highway traffic stopped short). While the front cap was destroyed, much of the front interior components were still in decent shape. Yes, the coach was totaled; but the driver survived and I think had the factory still been in operation, the coach may not have been totaled.

The LXi's and 450's have stainless substructures built on a railed frames chassis. I'm pretty sure the LXi's are still steel panels, though the 450's went to aluminum panels.

The 380's also utilized aluminum body panels. I don't remember what the framing is made of, probably the same stainless as the 450's.

One advantage of a framed coach is the ability to not have to have air leveling. We've been in some RV parks that needed tires off the ground to get level. The HWH hydraulic leveling can do that. Usually, I adjust so that the offending corner will have most of the weight off the tire, but not have it off the ground.

Ok, I'll get off my Bluebird soap box. Back to your regularly scheduled Newell programming!