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Electronics – The electronics industry continues to bring out new and innovative products that RVers use at home and would like to use on the road. RVers can now order RVs with a high–definition TV (HDTV), HD satellite receiver, and automatic satellite dish. RVers are also finding many RVs (motorhome and towable) now coming with flat–panel LCD TVs.
Convenience and safety are the bywords as the number of tow vehicles and motorhomes being purchased with "in–dash" navigation systems offering large screens and voice commands has risen significantly.
The flat–panel TVs are usually mounted on swivel brackets that provide better viewing. They also save cabinet space, and reduce weight and power consumption.
Interior and Exterior Design – The 2007 motorhomes with a full–wall on one side and a large slide on the opposite wall are providing roomier RVs with much wider aisles from front to rear. Many RVs, towables and motorhomes, are available with light–emitting–diode (LED) lighting that provides provides bright and soft lighting in compact fixtures that have a very low power draw.
Interiors have Euro–style cabinets with hidden hinges, and cabinet faces and counter tops that may be curved or slightly angular. The RV ceilings have fewer protruding items (vents, lights, fans, antenna controls, etc., providing a much cleaner appearance. There is an increasing use of wood or wood laminate floors providing a nice touch and the 12 cubic–ft refrigerator is also becoming increasingly popular with RVers.
 Full–body paint is now becoming more available on motorhomes and towable RVs for improved aesthetics. The designers are also conveniently combining the various buttons, switches, gauges, and controls for the various RV systems in a single space to make them easy to locate and use.
Power Plant and Chassis Options – Manufacturer attentions to RVer concerns about better fuel efficiency and getting the most for your money is evident with several recent RV industry innovations in the 2007 models. For instance, Class B and mini–Class C motorhomes using the popular Sprinter chassis from Daimler–Chrysler with the Mercedes 5–cylinder engine continue to grow in popularity. The Class Bs get 19–22 mpg and the mini–Class Cs get 17–19 mpg.
RV Business reported in December that there are nine RV manufacturers offering a variety of models with lengths of up to 23.5 ft. Most of the models have GVWRs of up to 10,500 lbs. and list prices from $70,000 to $80,000, and can cost up to $100,000. The introduction of the Front–Engine Diesel (FRED) chassis that appeared last year helps provide the value, fuel efficiency, and torque of the diesel engine to RVers at lower prices because the chassis, similar to those used in the trucking industry, provides economies of scale that can be used to lower RV manufacturing cost.
 The Workhorse Universal Fuel Option (UFO) chassis, announced this past fall, can utilize a rear–mounted diesel or gas powerplant, along with an Allison transmission, and a completely flat floor from front to rear. The problems originally encountered in rear–mounted gas powerplants of the late 1970s have been resolved. The new UFO engine/transmission/chassis enables RV manufacturers to offer RVers a choice of diesel or gas and reduce the number of coach models by using a single chassis,. Manufacturers using the new chassis include Winnebago and Tiffin.
Remember, Safety First, and Happy RVing!!!
| Alan Lidstone is a freelance author and writer living in southwest Florida. Barbara Collyer Lidstone, his wife and co–editor, is an abstractor. The Lidstones co–authored RVs – Getting out and STAYING Out, from Fulcrum Publishing of Golden, Colorado, and they write and publish the 24–page Roads 'n Toads – RVing in Florida newsletter providing timely information on activities and products that help RVers get the most from the RV lifestyle. |
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