RV Life - January 2009

Kristin Boag

RV manufacturers presented their newest products at the 46th annual National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky, last month in a show that reflected a shift to RVs that are lighter and more fuel-efficient.

Richard Coon, president of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, which sponsors the show, opened the event by reminding everyone that while the RV industry is now undergoing tough times financially, it has survived tough times before and always bounced back stronger than ever.

He said, “RV manufacturers need to press forward with their plans for the RV market of tomorrow by designing exciting and innovative products, adding more lightweight vehicles to their product lines and offering more green vehicles.”

And judging from their presentations at the show, manufacturers intend to do just that. Winnebago and Fleetwood Industries showed the first hybrid motorhomes (see separate story), and other manufacturers followed through with RVs that are lighter and more fuel-efficient. Here are some of the new products that appeared at the show:

Coachmen Freelander 2100

Economy in fuel and price are the hallmarks of the Freelander 2100, a new Class C diesel motorhome from Coachmen RV.

The motorhome, which is nearly 25 feet long, can achieve 17 to 19 miles per gallon, the company says. It Coachmen Freelander 2100

is built on the Freightliner Sprinter chassis with a Mercedes 3.0 L V-6 turbo diesel engine. Prices start at $89,000.

The motorhome can sleep six—two in the master bed, two in the cabover bunk and two on a convertible U-shaped dinette. The dinette is in the living area slideout, across from a 19-inch LCD television mounted on the wall.

The galley features an aluminum sink with a high spout faucet that makes it easy to fill large pots with water. A bench separates the galley countertop from the driver’s seat in the cockpit. When the bench is not in use, the countertop can expand two additional feet with a pullout extension.