Pleasure-Way Factory Visit

As I write this on 3/28/2020 the factory is closed to keep people safe during the Corona Virus pandemic. We wish the employees and company well and hope they will be healthy and return when "social distancing" is no longer necessary.

7/21/2019
Factory tours are something we have always found fascinating. Since we were going to be closer than ever to the factory where our van was converted to an RV, we called and scheduled a tour of Pleasure-Way Industries in Saskatoon.

Where do you camp in Saskatoon? Gordon Howe Campground is the place and yes, it is named for that Gordie Howe. Having spent twelve years in the Detroit area we remember the excitement he brought to Red Wing Hockey.

52°6′33″ N 106°41′33″ W

A little after 1600 we arrived in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This is the farthest north we’ve ever been in North America. The campground is only ten minutes from Pleasure-Way Industries.

With plenty of sunlight left in the evening, we drove up to visit the University of Saskatchewan.

We were the only folks in their free Natural History Museum

Lots of mineral displays appeared to float in the lobby. We enjoyed the quiet of the campus where most students were on summer break.

Back at campground a board shared events and places to visit. There is lots to do in the area.

7/22/2019

Today is our pilgrimage to the Pleasure-Way factory. We were able to hang out in a private lounge that included space for our van.

We left our fourteen month old van in the capable hands of Phil Nickel while we headed across the parking lot for a tour.

Doug Michasiw was our kind tour guide. He didn't want to be in photos, but was very patient as I shot pictures that maybe only I will find interesting.

The tour started in the wiring area. Here, spools of wire are set-up for pulling.

After pulling, cutting and wrapping in conduit, wire harnesses are grouped in cubbies for each individual van build.

Here you can see the neat and organized wires secured in a new van. There should be no worries of chaffing from an install like this.

The last electrical shot is of the lithium battery installation. Heavy gauge wires lead from charging systems into the box containing the two expensive 100 amp hour batteries that allow owners to wander off the grid.

A tank farm houses the custom designed tanks that fit as much liquid volume as practical in our little vans.

Back inside, tanks are cleaned and prepared for installation.

Ultrasonic sensors like these are affixed on the outside of this tank. Exterior sensors don't clog like older style sensors that extended into the tanks.

The last plumbing photo shows the bathroom and shower pan used to keep the floor protected in wet-bath models. These are on their side revealing the styrofoam cushioning that will live between the pan and the floor of the van.

Moving on to the cabinet making shop, we met one of the most senior employees. Pleasure-Way has been converting vans since 1968.

Beautifully constructed doors are stacked and ready for staining. The area was organized and clean of sawdust. Craftsmen work with solid wood here. This isn't particle board and vinyl.

The next stop was the upholstery shop where cushions and seats are built or recovered.

While the seats are out for upgrades, temporary seats allow for the vans to be moved around the factory. No airbags in this set-up!

Moving inside the largest part of the factory we got up close to a Lexor, like ours, being converted from a cargo van to a home on wheels.

Here you can see insulation added to the rear doors.

Reflective insulation is revealed in the roof. Holes are cut for the refrigerator, vents, battery box, and air conditioning. Most of the wiring is run down the driver side of the van.

Another van was further along with floor and wall panels going in.

This view from the side door shows the bathroom and pan going together.

The view from a lunchroom reveals solar panels and air conditioners going on to the rooftops.

Lots of padding on ladders keeps vans scratch free while technicians and craftspeople work on higher areas.

After visiting auto plants all over North America and Japan during International Manufacturing coursework, I found this to be very different. Pleasure-Way isn't using an assembly line. Major portions of each conversion are done by one person who then moves the van to another station where someone else takes over.

We missed the daily "dance of the vans" when they shuffle vans between work stations.  For an extensive video of the factory, we recommend the tour done by Neil at Ultramobility.

Special thanks are due to employee #3,  Phil Nickel, for spending most of the day educating us and tweaking things on our Lexor. The leaky window that our dealer hadn't resolved was removed, resealed, and water tested by the time we were done with the tour. Asking if they would upgrade the software in our inverter, we found they replaced it with a new one.

With a little time left on a warm summer day, we explored the area of Saskatoon near our campground.

The neighborhood had some interesting homes. This tower had provided a view of the river.

 Fable Ice Cream had delicious and unique flavors like Rhubarb Crisp.

The walk back to Gordon Howe Campground was along the river where we watched canoes enjoying a gentle push from the slow current.

It is well worth a trip to Saskatoon and Pleasure-Way to meet these fine craftspeople and see how vans are converted into motorhomes.