Louisville Showcase: What’s Hot

WLeading RV manufacturers brought their newest products to Louisville, Kentucky, for the National RV Trade Show, providing a preview of the motorhomes, fifth wheels and trailers that will be on dealer lots this year.

Here is a quick rundown of some of the RVs that attracted attention in Louisville:

Monaco’s Dodge Trailer
Owners of Dodge trucks will be able to match them with Dodge trailers with the introduction of a new line of travel trailers, fifth wheels and toy haulers bearing the Dodge nameplate and built by Monaco Coach Corporation.

Monaco is offering Dodge-themed RVs in six floor plans from 27 to 37 feet in length. A three-year licensing agreement initiated by Monaco last May gives the company the use of the Dodge name and the Dodge Ram logo for a series of towable RVs containing exclusive interior and exterior design elements.

All of the units include a full kitchen, full bathroom, a queen-sized master bed and various sofa beds. Five of the floor plans include electric slideouts for extra interior room. Retail base prices range from the $20,836 for the smallest entry-level model to $41,020 at the high end.

For more information, contact Monaco Coach Corporation, 91320 Coburg Industrial Way, Coburg, OR 97408. Phone (574) 268-2111 or visit www.monaco-online.com.

Dynamax Grand Sport Ultra
Dynamax has expanded its line of Grand Sport brands by introducing the Grand Sport Ultra, which is powered by a 450-horsepower Mercedes engine on a Columbia Freightliner chassis. It can tow 14,000 pounds, with an option to boost the towing capacity to 40,000 pounds—that’s 20 tons.

The Grand Sport Ultra comes in three floor plans, from 39 feet, six inches to nearly 45 feet. Amenities include granite countertops, travertine stone floors, a 15-cubic-foot refrigerator, two 26-inch LCD TVs, and a full queen-size Comfort Select bed. The interior is seven feet high.

The exterior compartments have been enlarged from previous editions of the Grand Sport, and feature pantographic hinges and side swing hinges under the slides, allowing for easier access than doors that swing up. Full-length Zip Dee awnings are built in above the roof. An Aqua Hot heating system is among the standard features.

Rick Horn, vice president of sales and marketing, said, “All of the improvements we’ve been able to incorporate into the Ultra only compound our long-standing belief that the Grand Sports are a very unique and stylish alternative to the common ‘bus’ packages that are our there.” The manufacturer’s suggested base price for the Ultra is $425,723.

For more information, contact Dynamax Corporation, 2745 Northland Drive, P. O. Box 1948, Elkhart, IN 46515. Phone (888) 295-7859 or visit www.dynamaxcorp.com.

Monaco Diplomat
Four new floor plans, including one with a full wall slideout, have been added to the 2007 edition of the Diplomat, the top-selling Monaco motorhome. This brings to eight the number of floor plan options available to Diplomat buyers.

The full slide permits a long uninterrupted living space on the driver’s side of the coach. Another new floor plan has four slideouts with a kitchen in the front of the coach, and a sofa, TV and living area grouped together in the middle of the coach.

The Diplomat floor plans range from 36 to 40 feet in length. New for 2007 is a deluxe full body paint scheme with new graphics. Five interior décor packages include a Ralph Lauren option. The Diplomat is built on the Roadmaster raised rail chassis with outboard mounted airbags and is powered by a Cummins 400 ISL engine with an Allison 3000 MH six-speed transmission. Standard features include a pass-through compartment tray, side-hinge baggage doors, a color rear vision system with audio, Ultra Leather six-way power pilot and co-pilot seats with a power footrest, and ceramic tile floors in the kitchen, bath and entryway.

The Monaco Diplomat retails from $216,477.

For information, contact Monaco Coach Corporation, 91320 Coburg Industrial Way, Coburg OR 97408. Phone (800) 634-0855 or visit www.monacocoach.com.

Starcraft RV Star Stream
The new Star Stream travel trailers from Starcraft RV sport distinctive styling with curved surfaces, a gleaming painted aluminum exterior, a clear coat finish, and black trim.

The bold exteriors are matched inside with a choice of three interior decors: spa blue, clover green and cinnamon. The line includes four travel trailers and two expandables with foldout beds. Sleeping capacity is four to eight people, depending on the model.

All of the units contain a complete bath, including a tub and shower. The kitchen has a double sink, wipe-clean linoleum flooring, and a three-burner cooktop. Some models have a queen bed with underbed storage and an optional overhead bunk.

Standard features include a 6-gallon LP water heater with bypass, 36-gallon fresh water system and 45-amp power center with battery charger. Like all Starcraft RVs., it is light enough to be towed by a half-ton pickup.

For information, contact Starcraft RV, P. O. Box 458, Topeka, IN 46571. Phone (260) 593-2550 or visit www.starcraftrv.com.

Fleetwood X2
It isn’t on the market yet, but Fleetwood debuted the X2, a motorhome and trailer combination that can sleep up to 14 people and also carry ATVs and other sports toys.

The X2 features a complete 35-foot motorhome with an 8,000-pound towing capacity and an optional 23-foot toy hauler trailer. The motorhome and trailer have matching paint jobs and matching checkered flag awnings. Other features include three Sharp LCD televisions, two Magnadyne LCD flip-down televisions, an interior surround sound system, an exterior 720-watt sound system, an auto tracking satellite dome, recessed patio floodlights, and an optional fueling station and air compressor.

The X2 was developed to give buyers both an expansive living space and lots of room for recreational toys. It is based on Fleetwood’s success with its LX motorhomes and F.U.E.L toy haulers. Chris Braun, executive vice president of Fleetwood’s RV division, said “Our research has shown that the 2007 X2 is a viable option for the toy hauler customer who wants more flexibility from an RV.”

Fleetwood officials said they took the X2 to the Louisville show to test reaction before going into production. The first units could reach dealers in February. Suggested base retail price on the motorhome is $105,280. The cost of the trailer option had not been determined by press time.

For information on the X2 and other Fleetwood products, contact Fleetwood RV at (800) 322-8216 or visit www.fleetwoodrv.com.

Winnebago Destination/Itasca Latitude
Winnebago Industries previewed its 2008 Winnebago Destination and Itasca Latitude, two new models that give buyers a rear-engine choice of gas or diesel power.

Standard on both is the new Workhorse UFO rear engine gas chassis that features an 8.1L Vortec engine with a six-speed transmission. Optional is a Freightliner chassis with a Cummins 6.7L diesel engine and five-speed transmission.

The Destination has a new cab design with a one-piece windshield for a panoramic view. A mid-coach entry door eliminates the need for a stepwell in the cab area and allows for forward placement of the passenger seat for better viewing and comfort. When the coach is parked, the passenger seat swivels around to face a large lounge area.

The interior is spacious, with ceilings that are 7 feet, two and a half inches high. There are two floor plans, the 37G and 39 W, both with dual slideouts. The front slideout extends the sofa and dinette. An entertainment center across from the galley include a 30-inch high-definition TV, AM/FM stereo, CD and DVD player. The 37G’s second slideout extends a hallway wardrobe, adding substantial room to the bedroom. The 39W has a large, flat floor slideout that extends the galley, pantry, hallway wardrobe and bed, creating room for a bathroom that can be accessed from either the living area or the bedroom.

The Destination has a suggested base retail price of $165,679. The similar Itasca Latitude starts at $166,628

For information, contact Winnebago Industries, P. O. Box 152, Forest City IA 504-36. Phone (641) 585-3535 or visit www.winnebagoind.com.

Jayco Seneca
The Jayco Seneca heavy-duty motorhome is designed to combine the luxury of a Class A with the maneuverability of a Class C. It is built on the 22,000-pound Chevy Kodiak chassis and powered by a Duramax V8 turbo diesel engine for maximum carrying capacity. A 53-degree turning radius provides easy drivability.

A large windshield and sloped hood enable the driver to see objects as close as 13 feet from the bumper. Hydraulic leveling jacks automatically adjust the Seneca to the optimal position with the touch of a button.

Luxury features inside include maple cabinetry, solid surface countertops, a leather sofa, and an entertainment center over the cab with a 27-inch TV and a premium AM/FM/DC stereo system. The Seneca also has an 8-cubic-foot refrigerator, pass-through storage compartments, an Onan 5,500-watt diesel generator with auto-changeover, and an electric patio awning from Carefree of Colorado.

An optional customer value package includes a backup camera and monitor, exterior entertainment center, portable gas grill and a home theater system with surround sound.

The Seneca is available in four floor plans ranging from a 34-foot single slide to a 36-foot triple slide. The suggested base price is $134,714. Jayco also makes a toy hauler version called the Seneca ZX with a suggested base price of $139,286.

For information, contact Jayco, 903 S. Main St., Middlebury, IN 46540. Phone (800) RV-JAYCO or visit www.jayco.com.

Doubletree Elite Suites
A built-in electric fireplace and a sauna are among the options in the new Elite Suites fifth wheels from DoubleTree RV.

The Grand RV sauna uses a self-venting, infrared dry-heating element as an alternative to traditional fire or steam-heated saunas, creating an environment of up to 150 degrees. When not in use, the sauna converts to a closet or storage space. Grand Packaging of Wayland, Michigan, created the Grand RV Sauna, which is a new option available for $4,000 to $5,000 on Elite Suites and Mobile Suites by DoubleTree, the Grand Junction fifth wheel from Dutchmen and the Tour Master motorhome by Gulf Stream.

The DoubleTree Elite Suites fifth wheel is loaded with a host of other features, including hardwood cabinetry, granite countertops, a big-screen LCD high-definition TV concealed behind glide-a-way tambour doors, plush theater seating, residential carpeting, Congoleum flooring, a china cabinet with an etched glass door, a built-in floor safe and a king-size bed. The bedroom has a dual shade system that controls lighting in the room to provide privacy as well as provide optimal viewing of the optional LCD TV.

Elite Suites fifth wheels have fiberglass roofs, hydraulic stabilizer jacks, and frames engineered to accommodate huge water holding tanks: 100 gallons for fresh water, 75 gallons for gray water and 50 gallons for black water.

For information, contact DoubleTree RV, P. O. Box 235, Howe, IN 46746. Phone (260) 562-1075 or visit www.doubletreervsuites.com.

Newmar All Star
Newmar has created a new floor plan for its All Star motorhome to meet the specific needs of RVers who want to haul motorcycles.

The cycle hauler floor plan provides a spacious garage at the rear of the coach with two slideout rooms with manual fold-down ramps, stainless steel overhead cabinets, rear cap storage and two flush-mounted flip-down countertops.

The use of the Spartan ME2 chassis, which puts the engine in the middle, permits the unusual floor plan. The motorhome is powered by a 350-horsepower Cummins diesel engine. An 8.0 kw Diesel Quiet Series generator is standard.

John Sammut, Newmar vice president of sales and marketing, said, “This is a motorhome that has the capability to haul big bikes while providing all of the conveniences of home, including a queen-size bed.”

Features in the All Star cycle hauler edition include a flip-down LCD television in the bedroom, a 24-inch TV in the front overhead cabinet, a captain’s chair in line behind the front passenger seat, and a 10-cubic-foot refrigerator. It has sleeping accommodations for six, with the queen bed, an oversize dinette that converts to a bed and an optional sleeper sofa.

Starting base price of the All Star is $232,876.

For information, contact Newmar, P. O. Box 30, Nappanee, IN 46550. Phone (800) 860-0086 or visit www.newmarcorp.com.

CrossRoads Cruiser Sport
Toy haulers—motorhomes and trailers that have a living area and a garage—have become one of the hottest segments of the RV market, but the new Cruiser Sport fifth wheel from CrossRoads RV offers a different approach for RVers who want to take along their toys. The Cruiser Sport doesn’t have a garage, but it is light enough to be towed in line with a boat or dirt bikes.

The Cruiser Sport is equipped with a two-inch receiver with a 300-pound hitch capacity (tongue weight) that allows it to haul everything from multiple motorcycles and four-wheelers to 18-foot boats. It weighs less than 6,000 pounds, which means a half-ton or three-quarter ton truck can tow it.

The Cruiser Sport sleeps four to six people and includes a roomy U-shaped dinette with drawers under the seat. It also has the new Equa-Flex Suspension from Trail Air that is designed to minimize vibration and improve stability and safety.

The target market for the Cruiser Sport is an RVer 35 to 55 years old with an active family. The suggested retail price range is $27,370 to $28,007.

For information, contact CrossRoads RV, P. O. Box 40, Topeka, IN 46571. Phone (888) 226-7496 or visit www.crossroadsrv.com.

Sportscoach Pathfinder
The new Sportscoach Pathfinder from Coachmen Recreational Vehicle Company is built on the Freightliner XC chassis with a 300-horsepower Cummins diesel engine below the rails. The chassis design permits a flat floor in the bedroom, creating more headroom than is available in many other diesel coaches.

The Pathfinder has numerous special touches, such as fuel fills on both sides of the coach to make it easy to add diesel fuel, a panoramic one-piece windshield and a dash that angles down for improved visibility, and pass-through storage bays that are accessed by handy side-swing doors.

The cab is equipped with a telescoping tilt steering wheel, cruise control, intermittent wipers and an in-dash backup camera. The dash stereo includes a CD player and optional Sirius Satellite radio.

A 26-inch LCD TV at the front of the coach flips up and out of the way for travel and then can be pulled down when parked. The entryway, kitchen and bath feature ceramic tile flooring. Furnishings include a queen bed, sleeper sofa, and a Euro chair with an ottoman.

The Pathfinder offers a variety of full-body paint designs, from bold motor sports themes such as Daytona Yellow and Brickyard Pewter to more traditional choices like Sahara Sand and Moonshadow Blue. The suggested base retail price is $173,000.

For information, contact Coachmen Recreational Vehicle Company, P. O. Box 30, Middlebury, IN 46540. Phone (574) 825-5821 or visit www.coachmenrv.com.