Host Motorhome Makes Debut

Host Industries, known for its truck campers, has expanded into the motorhome market with a new motorcoach built on the Ford 550 chassis with a V8 turbo diesel engine.

The coach has an unusual design with four bucket seats in the driving compartment, giving the driver and three passengers safe and comfortable places to sit while traveling. Dave Hogue, one of Host’s owners, said that as the father of two children, he wanted to provide extra safety in the motorhome, and felt it would be safer to put children in a regular vehicle seat instead of buckled into chairs or other seats in the rear of the coach.

Besides, he said, “My wife was not going to let the children sit strapped to the sofa.”

The design puts a queen bed above the cab, and also offers two other sleeping areas, with a dinette that makes into a bed, and a foldout area that pops out from the back of the coach to create a guest bedroom.

Hogue said that besides safety, the Host motorcoach offers fuel economy and a chassis that is strong enough to carry or tow a heavy load.

The new Class C motorhome also is built with the quality and finish that would be expected from a company whose heritage is the Beaver motorcoach. Dave Hogue and Mark Storch, who created Host Campers, are the sons of Jim Hogue and Frank Storch, who founded Beaver Coaches.

The new Host motorcoach comes with two slideouts and a long list of standard features, such as Granicoat solid-surface counter tops, designer-fabric window valances and solid wood cabinets. The galley includes a microwave oven, two-burner L.P. gas range in black enamel, and a Dometic 8-cubic-foot refrigerator/freezer. A 20-inch LCD flat-screen TV is connected to a Winegard roof-mounted antenna. A 27-inch LCD flat-screen TV is optional.

Exterior features include outside lockable storage compartments, an outdoor shower/cleaning station, and porch and service lights. The walls and ceiling have R-12 insulation. A Duo-Therm 13,500-BTU air conditioner is mounted on the roof. A 30,000-BTU LP gas furnace is also included along with a 4.0 Onan LP generator.

The driving compartment has a rear view camera, adjustable gas and brake pedals, and heated “Soft Touch” leather captain’s chairs.

The suggested retail base price is $133,000.

For more information, contact Host Industries, 20545 Murray Rd., Bend OR 97701. Phone (541) 330-2328 or visit www.hostcampers.com