Showing posts with label RV Tech. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RV Tech. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

NavStar Voice Navigator GPS gives directions without a touch screen

GPS devices can help guide you to your favorite destinations, but they can also be a pain to use while driving. Messing around with a touch-screen device is the last thing you want to do while driving a big RV.

NavStar Technologies has designed the hands-free Voice Navigator, a GPS device that uses voice commands when requesting directions. There is no touch-screen or interface to learn. Plug it in and it is ready to give directions.

The Voice Navigator was designed with RVers in mind. NavStar studied the RV industry and gained input from RV owners to determine their needs. Voice Navigator will arrive pre-loaded with customized RV data, including KOA locations in the US, dump stations locations, additional campground providers, maintenance and repair locations, and additional data that RV owners identify as useful.

Source: NavStar

Monday, December 03, 2007

Ford introduces new 2008 F53 Super Duty Class A lineup

Ford Motor Company recently announced their lastest motorhome chassis lineup to meet consumer needs for larger RVs with more amenities.

According to Ford...

The Ford F53 Super Duty Class A motorhome lineup boasts best-in-class 362 hp and 457 ft.-lbs. of torque from the proven 6.8-liter Triton™ V-10 engine. Improved ride, steering and NVH makes long trips more enjoyable while extended service intervals and quality legacy should reduce down time.

Celebrating the growing popularity of RVing and the increasing luxury RV market, Ford introduces the most capable motorhome chassis to the new 2008 F53 Super Duty Class A lineup that has been fully re-engineered for better driving dynamics, more diverse offerings and reduced noise, vibration and harshness. The new chassis borrows heavily from the industry’s most capable heavy-duty truck – the new 2008 F-Series Super Duty – and was proven out on many of the F-Series “Built Ford Tough” truck durability tests to improve on the Ford RV’s 25 percent quality advantage customers reported in Ford surveys.

Ford offers the best-selling RV chassis in both the Class A and Class C (E-Series chassis) markets. The launch of the new package options in Class A expands Ford’s F53 Super Duty Class A lineup to six offerings, ranging from the “tailgater’s special” 16,000-pound gross-vehicle weight rating (GVWR) chassis through the new capability leader, 26,000-pound GVWR chassis, that gives builders the opportunity to offer the most advanced, most luxurious RV bodies yet.

Ford’s new 24,000-pound GVWR package firmly settles into the heavy class of motorhome chassis, one of the fastest growing RV class segments. Going one step further, the new 26,000-pound GVWR package sets a new best-in-class marker for motorhome chassis capabilities, providing a stunning 30,000-pound gross combined weight rating.
“Ford’s new heavy-duty F53 Super Duty chassis allows customers to continue bringing more of their home to their home on wheels,” said Shelly Smith, marketing manager, Ford F53 Super Duty motorhome. “Motorhome builders are adding more luxurious amenities such as granite countertops and slide outs so we met the challenge with the most capable RV chassis ever.”

Components such as the new heavy-duty steering system, class-leading Dana rear axle and suspension, increased capacity front axle and suspension, four-wheel anti-lock brakes and 50,000-PSI (pounds per square inch) ladder frame are all integral components to provide class-leading capabilities, ride comfort and predictable handling.

The 6.8-liter Triton™ V-10 engine’s best-in-class 362 horsepower and 457 foot-pounds of torque provided help support the largest motorhomes with plenty of power on the highway. The powerful engine is mated to Ford’s exclusive and proven TorqShift® automatic overdrive transmission.

The new, high-end F53 models also features a new, more robust steering system with a new steering gear that, combined the new suspension, improve ride and handling. Steering and handling are complimented by the 50-degree wheel cut (increased from 42 degrees) for a tighter turning radius. Specially tuned stabilizer bars, Bilstein shocks and higher-capability front and rear springs make the ride more comfortable.

“We engineered the top-of-the-line F-53 models to provide the same steering precision, ride comfort and quietness as the rest of the lineup – just at much higher loads,” said Laurie Call, chief engineer, F53 Super Duty. “We think the driving dynamics and comfort, combined with our quality record, will lead to more customers demanding Ford chassis from their dealers.”

Source: Ford Motor Company

Monday, September 24, 2007

NASA's concept for "Moon RV" boldly goes where no RV has gone before

Image source: NASA

Future astronauts could explore the moon's surface in comfort from an RV-like lunar rover.

This concept for a new lunar rover was revealed by NASA at the Space 2007 conference in Long Beach, California.

While first lunar rovers were open to space, requiring the driver to wear a spacesuit, the new lunar rover is a rolling habitat for astronauts: climate controlled and loaded with features...like any good RV should be.

The two spacesuits on the side are connected to the rover. Astronauts can climb into the suits to examine rocks and features on the surface, then climb out without the hassle of having to unpressurize the rover.

This lunar RV is just a concept for now. The real version could look much different.

No word if there will be new laws on the moon to restrict rover parking in front of lunar bases.

Image source: NASA

Souce: Wired Blogs, Space.com, and NASA

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Coachmen to introduce RVs that use solar and biodiesel power

The Environmental Leader reports on efforts by RV manufacturers to make RVs more environmentally friendly.

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Ford and Airstream show of futuristic RV prototype

The Dayton Business Journal reports on a prototype vehicle produced by Airstream and Ford Motor Corporation, offering a glimpse into what the sleek RVs of the future might look like.

Unlike current hybrid cars which run off of an electric or gas power, the RV prototype would be driven by a hydrogen and electric fuel cell.

There is no word if the prototype vehicle will be mass produced, but the sleek design was an attention-getter at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Ford is carefully paying attention to the reaction of consumers.