Country Coach Launches Innovative New Motorcoach Brand: Veranda

Highline Motorcoach Manufacturer Country Coach recently announced the launch of an entirely new product line.

Named Country Coach Veranda, this new coach line-up will offer multiple models of luxury diesel motorcoaches, each designed to integrate the company's new patent-pending Veranda innovation.

This feature opens the motorcoach's interior living space to outside air and light, and unifies the interior and exterior living area. Essentially a steel deck with railings that is created when a section of the coach sidewall is lowered, the Veranda living area is separated from the coach interior by a 12-foot expanse of hurricane-rated sliding glass doors that easily slide open to join the spaces. This revolutionary new concept allows for myriad floorplan configurations.

Jay Howard, company president and CEO, commented on the mission accomplished by this new line of motorcoaches. "The Veranda is designed to upgrade each of our owners' experience. Motorcoach enthusiasts visit the most beautiful locations across North America. Now, with the push of a button, they instantly upgrade to a private balcony with a view."

The Country Coach Veranda is currently in limited production, with its first motorcoach market debut scheduled for July 14th, 2008 at the Family Motor Coach Association International Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Source: Country Coach

Pilgrim International offers RV Industry's first 5-Year warranty on all flooring utilizing the CosmoLite composite substrate

Pilgrim International recently announced a new 5-year warranty on all flooring utilizing the CosmoLite composite substrate.

Pilgrim began manufacturing floors utilizing the new CosmoLite
composite substrates in October of last year. It has since been featured in
many articles and publications, from transportation and travel magazines to
environmental white papers.

According to Pilgrim International...

"Traditionally, water has been the culprit in the deterioration of most
RV floors," stated Dave Hoefer, Co-founder and Chairman of Pilgrim
International. "Even a small amount of moisture resting on the floor of a
traditional camper can result in a soft spot, and ultimately lead to
instability. The multi- million dollar investment in new materials and
technology has paved the path to the 5-Year warranty; this is a clear and
decisive indication that we have a commitment to the future of the RV
industry. We stand behind our product and we are very proud to be the first
and only RV manufacturer in the world that can offer such guarantees to the
end-consumer."

"The very nature of the composite material makes it impervious to rot,
mildew and mold," commented Doug Lantz, Vice President of Product
Development. "It was really a by-product of our quest to use stronger,
lighter materials." CosmoLite is also a formaldehyde-free product with no
out-gassing of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and is completely
recyclable.

The CosmoLite Composite material is three times stronger than the
traditional wood substrates it replaces. These factors result in the
ability to offer a warranty that reflects the strength and durability of
the materials now utilized.

"The floors are really just the first step in the process to
manufacture a travel trailer that replaces wood in all six sides and
becomes the first Green eco-friendly trailer," commented Hoefer. "It is
part of our original vision of continuous improvement to remain the
forerunner in product innovation that will revolutionize the recreational
vehicle industry."

Source: Pilgrim International

Tiffin offers new location for laptop computers

Laptop computers are now almost a part of RVing as cookouts and sightseeing. Tiffin Motorhomes now offer computer-friendly workstations that make it easy to organize your digital life while on the road.

According to Tiffin Motorhomes...

Maybe laptop isn't where you want to use your laptop. Tiffin Motorhomes understands.

The Class A motorhome manufacturer has just added another optional coach location to search for restaurants near a campground or admire the latest emailed photos of the grandkids.

Since January, all 2008 Phaeton, Allegro Bus and Zephyr diesel pusher models are available with the optional dinette/computer work station that includes room for a printer and files.

"We believe this will appeal to everyone who uses a computer, and that's at least 90% of our customers," says Jerry Williamson, Tiffin national sales manager. "Our customers are electronically savvy, which has become a way of life."

Earlier in the current model year, Tiffin began offering an optional euro recliner with a computer/end table. For 2006 models, Tiffin introduced a front passenger side dash laptop work station which is still standard.

"The euro recliner and computer work station proved popular with many of our customers, but others wanted the additional sleeping capacity of the Air Coil Hide-A-Bed sofa instead," Williamson adds.

With the adjacent dinette, computer users will have plenty of horizontal workspace. When the computer is shut down and it's time to watch TV, the midsection seated eye-level set accommodates many viewers from the two sofas and the swiveled seats.

Source: Tiffin Motorhomes

Unicat EX70-HD - the tough dump truck inspired RV with a soft heart

Imagine driving this beast into your local RV park. This Unicat EX70-HD might look rough and mean on the outside, inside its a big softie that just wants to cuddle.

While the Unicat EX70-HD looks like a dump truck, inside it offers the luxury and style of a hip studio apartment located in a trendy downtown neighborhood.

The EX70-HD is a custom designed vehicle, built from self supporting UNICAT sandwich plate panels of fibre glass composite. Seating is 2 air suspended seats and 2 jump seats, convertible to bed.

It looks like something Mad Max would drive. Max would probably sleep soundly behind burglarproof, scratchproof top hinged sidelights, or enjoy watching TV and other tech gear powered by a watercooled Fischer-Panda diesel generator with 2-cylinder diesel engine.

Other features include 177 gallons freeze proof drinking water tank, furniture custom built to the highest cabinetmaking standard out of wood core, large outside storage compartment, kitchen countertop with integrated sink, satellite navigation system.

You can even bring you ATV along thanks to an integrated storage compartment in the back.

Source: Unicat

New all composite RV has exterior similar to a golf ball

Pilgrim International Inc. is introducing the first all composite RV at the annual Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) show in Louisville, Kentucky.

An all composite RV uses no wood in its construction, making the body resistant to mold and rot.

One of the compounds used on the outside of the RV is Dupont Surlyn: the impact resistant coating found on golf balls.

Considering the abuse that some golf balls suffer underneath the clubs of frustrated golfers, this sounds like the perfect coating for an RV. Just don't expect the RV to be covered with little dimples.

In this photo, Pilgrim International Lamination Plant Manager Ken Mahaffa, and Co-founder and Chairman Dave Hoefer, stand next to the new composite RV.

According to Pilgrim International Inc.

Pilgrim International Inc. of Middlebury, Indiana, will introduce the RV industry’s first all-composite recreational vehicle in its 2008 product display booth 1060 at the annual Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) show in Louisville, Kentucky at the Kentucky Exposition Center, November 27-29, 2007.

Working closely with TekModo LLC, Pilgrim International will debut a display unit with floors, walls, roof and end caps completely Luan and plywood free and comprised entirely of CosmoLite, a thermoplastic fiber-reinforced composite. Additionally, Pilgrim International and TekModo will introduce the revolutionary exterior surface SpectraLite enhanced with Dupont Surlyn--the same extraordinarily impact resistant coating found on golf balls.

“We are adhering to our vision of continuous improvement to remain the forerunners in innovation of new technologies that will change the recreational vehicle industry.” Stated Pilgrim International Co-founder and Chairman Dave Hoefer.

The all composite Pilgrim International travel trailer debuting at the 2007 Louisville RVIA show is the first of its kind to utilize all composite construction with absolutely zero wood. This new technology enables Pilgrim International to manufacture completely seamless substrate floors, sidewalls, roofs and end-caps resulting in true uni-body strength for long lasting durability. In addition, the all-composite unit is fully water resistant and is impervious to rot, mildew and mold.

“The all-composite prototype unit displayed at this year’s RVIA show features a dramatic weight reduction over conventionally manufactured recreational vehicles,” stated Hoefer, “We are aspiring to build units weighing 15-to-20 percent less. This will improve fuel efficiency and will enable families to take more equipment. But more significantly, this dramatic weigh reduction will allow almost any vehicle to become a tow vehicle—from the family sedan, to the millions of mini vans on the road today. What was formerly towed by a one-ton truck will be towed by a three quarter ton truck, three quarter ton truck to a half ton—and so on. This technology opens up significant opportunities and markets for Pilgrim International dealers,” stated Hoefer

Source: Pilgrim International

Winnebago introduces the Navion iQ for 2008

RV Trade Digest reports on Winnebago's introduction of the Navion iQ 39th Pennsylvania RV and Camping show in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

According to Winnebago, The 2008 Navion iQ is unlike anything on the market today. The 24-foot Class C motor home is built on a 11,030-lb. GVWR Dodge Sprinter chassis with a Mercedes Benz 3.0L turbo diesel engine.

The 24CL floorplan features full body paint and an aerodynamic front end. A front skylight provides abundant natural lighting that can be controlled with a built in shade.

The Winnebago homepage features more profiles of new models, including the 2008 Destination pictured below.

The Class A Winnebago Destination offers the option of a gas pusher or diesel pusher chassis. According to Winnebago, it is first coach to take full advantage of the all-new Workhorse UFO™ chassis. You can choose from two different floor plans as well.

New material could replace wood in new RVs

Pittsburgh Tribune Review features a story on a new lightweight thermoplastic composite material that could soon be used in RV construction.

The new material, called Versitex, is made by U.S. Liner Inc. Versitex could be used instead of wood in RV construction due to its light weight and durability.

Made from woven glass fibers and plastic, Versitex is lighter than wood, which will go a long way to making newer RVs more fuel efficient.

Airstream collaborates with Design Within Reach to create stylish trailer

Here are photos of an Airstream trailer designed in collaboration with Design Within Reach.

According to the Airstream website, Design Within Reach (or DWR) provides "easy access to well-designed modern furnishings and accessories traditionally found only in designer showrooms."

Airstream's fact sheet highlights features of the DWR trailer.

The aluminum exterior of the Airstream DWR travel trailer is instantly distinguished by its front and rear panoramic windows, stainless steel streamline moon wheel discs, signature DWR red accents, and matching custom full-length fabric awning.

The hand-crafted Airstream shell is bright and airy inside – with a fully exposed aluminum interior skin, front and rear panoramic windows, and recessed halogen ceiling lights.

The exposed aluminum Airstream interior sidewall displays a Nelson Ball Clock to great effect. This design is a modern classic – having been created back in 1947 by George Nelson, one of the founding fathers of American modernism.


You can learn more about the DWR trailer at the Airstream site.