Re: [A/S] Rear bumper bike racks and monocoque construction....is it no longer how they are made??

[openrx <openrx@xxxxxxxxx>]

hi folks
 
first i have to say that i love mr. rogozinki's answers....regardless the 
question. clearly he has more airstream experience and knowledge floating 
around in his noggin than everyone else here combined. his answers always 
make sense and while he can be incorrect sometimes....he never lacks 
conviction. i like how certain he is regardless of how correct. i'll bet 
he's kept many a well intended novice from screwing up royaly, while beping 
paid to fix trailers for those who didn't listen.
 
my question for those who may know.......is the modern airstream still 
correctly called a monocoque/semimonocoque structure?
 
i ask because in looking at the pictures of new construction, it looks 
like it's now more of a modular design and construction.
-a roof segment is connected to the sidewalls and 2 endcaps and at some 
point in the process the floor/lower frame is included. skin is attached to 
the shortened ribs for each wall, roof, endcap and so on....the the rib 
segments and skin are then connected for each module to finally become one 
shell......at least that's how it looks from the pictures. i have not 
visited the factory. it just looks to me like 6 partially  assembled 
sections are made then riveted together.....not unlike many modern sob are 
built. i realize the completed airstream has overhead cabinets and other 
bits hanging from the walls but most internals are really supported by the 
floor/subframe section. and all of the other brands have heavy bits hanging 
from the wall too....so are they just as 'monocoque' as airstreams now?
 
in the good ole' days (after the pipe frame era) i thought the ribs were 
one long U shaped  piece and that skin was applied to the walls, ceiling 
and ends as part of a large single assembly. this piece was then attached 
to the floor to create the monocoque structure.
 
i quess i wonder how much the segmented ribs contribute to over all 
strength and if the final shell is as strong or stronger with the newer 
construction style.
 
not doubt i am wrong about both new and old construction so someone 
straighten me out....andy?
 
regards