Forest River coach built on new Workhorse UFO

Tom N · 09-13-2006, 03:10 AM

Forest River coach built on new Workhorse UFO™

UNION CITY, Ind. "” Forest River will be the first motor home manufacturer to introduce a motor home built on the new Workhorse UFO™ chassis at a major RV show this fall. Workhorse Custom Chassis and Forest River have announced that a gas-powered Forest River Georgetown motor home featuring the all-new, rear-engine platform from Workhorse will be on display at the Boat-N-RV dealer booth during the 38th Annual Pennsylvania Recreational Vehicle & Camping Show Sept. 11 to 17 in Hershey, Pa. The motor home will also appear on the West Coast at the 53rd Annual California RV Show in Pomona, Calif., Oct. 13 to 22.

The new 26,000 lb. GVWR Workhorse platform is "a chassis that is out of this RV world. It's one that will enable companies like Forest River to provide exciting new choices for the RV consumer," said Bob Wert, Workhorse vice president of RV sales and marketing.

The initial Workhorse UFO™ platform, now in production, is gas powered, the first such rear-engine platform the industry has seen in over two decades. Workhorse UFO™ offers the same GM Vortec™ 8.1L engine that helped make Workhorse's front-engine W Series the most popular platform available.

One of the exciting attributes that "UFO" stands for is Universal Floorplan Option. Workhorse reconfigured the drivetrain and frame so that manufacturers can build upon a completely flat floor from front to back, without the intrusion of the engine and cooling system into the rear bedroom or cockpit space. Workhorse UFO™ is the first and only platform that provides this truly universal open-floor design capability.

A significant market "It's revolutionary," said Art Colvin, general manager of Forest River. "For one thing, it's been years since anybody tried a rear gas engine. Some people remember the cooling problems with previous rear gas engines. But Workhorse has developed an advanced cooling system that does an excellent job of regulating the engine's temperature. They did extensive testing and a lot of preliminary design work, before they ever put this chassis together."

"We saw a market opportunity for rear gas motor homes three years ago, and we suggested it to them," Colvin continued. "They listened and came back with the Workhorse UFO™ chassis."

Forest River intends to offer the rear gas option on its standard Georgetown model and on select Georgetown SE and Georgetown XL models. Several new floorplans have been developed for coaches ranging from 35- to 38-feet.

Workhorse UFO™ based motor homes will attract people currently considering the purchase of a high-end gas or low-end diesel motor home, a segment of the motor home market that should have a very broad appeal. "It's obviously going to fill a niche between the diesel pusher and the front-engine gas motor home," said Colvin. "The gas version is going to give people a true alternative to diesel."

Product advantages Workhorse UFO™ advantages begin with its lightweight design. The 26,000 lb. GVWR gas powered Workhorse UFO™ is 2,000 pounds lighter than existing 28,000 lb. GVWR diesel chassis, giving the Workhorse UFO™ the same carrying capacity as the latter at a significantly lower price tag. What's more, gas engines provide savings in maintenance costs versus diesels. With less mass to move, the 8.1L GM Vortec gas powerplant can also outperform equivalent diesel engines.

At the same time, the lowered engine and the new, proprietary front and back suspensions give the Workhorse UFO™ exceptional ride and handling. "We've eliminated the choice RVers often have to make between a better riding versus a better handling coach," said Wert. "You have to drive it to believe it, there's no compromise with the Workhorse UFO™ chassis."

A 55-degree wheel cut makes the motor home more maneuverable in tight spots than any gas chassis, and is comparable to the best diesel chassis available today. The drivetrain uses an Allison Series 2000 six-speed automatic transmission that includes Transmission Grade Braking, ultra protective synthetic transmission fluid, standard push-button shifter and a 5-year, 200,000-mile transmission warranty.

The advantages of a rear engine include less cabin noise, less cabin heat, and, without the front-to-back drive shaft, less vibration and the opportunity to build in pass through basement storage. The front rather than side entry door is also a plus for floor plan variety, and the lack of a "doghouse" engine cover in the cab makes it easier to move in the cockpit. Furthermore, there is no engine protruding into the bedroom area either.

The first noticeable advantage of the gas powered Workhorse UFO™ is how much quieter it is in than comparable front gas motor homes, said Colvin. Compared to existing diesels, the gas Workhorse UFO™ is much more affordable. This will be especially true in 2007 when all diesel platforms will experience upward cost pressure as they incorporate changes to meet new more stringent emissions standards.

The new Georgetown floorplans on the Workhorse UFO™ chassis "are what is exciting to us," said Colvin. "It's no secret, floor plans drive RV customer buying decisions. With the Workhorse UFO™, the type of engine doesn't have to get in the way of that decision. Customers can get the floorplan they want with the engine they want."

"Forest River sparked our vision of the project early on," said Wert. "So we're very pleased to join with them in this first announcement." Expect more Workhorse UFO™ sightings soon. Workhorse is working with other major manufacturers that are developing coaches with the Workhorse UFO™ chassis.

Forest River:

Forest River Inc. is a manufacturer of a wide range of recreational vehicle, marine, manufactured housing, cargo, and utility trailer products. For more information, visit www.forestriverinc.com.

Workhorse Custom Chassis:

Both Workhorse and International are subsidiaries of Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV). For additional information call 877-294-6773 or visit www.workhorse.com.

[ Sep 12, 2006 ]

http://www.rv-news.com/newrvnews/News_Story.cfm?ID=64

Tom N · 09-13-2006, 03:10 AM

Forest River coach built on new Workhorse UFO™

UNION CITY, Ind. "” Forest River will be the first motor home manufacturer to introduce a motor home built on the new Workhorse UFO™ chassis at a major RV show this fall. Workhorse Custom Chassis and Forest River have announced that a gas-powered Forest River Georgetown motor home featuring the all-new, rear-engine platform from Workhorse will be on display at the Boat-N-RV dealer booth during the 38th Annual Pennsylvania Recreational Vehicle & Camping Show Sept. 11 to 17 in Hershey, Pa. The motor home will also appear on the West Coast at the 53rd Annual California RV Show in Pomona, Calif., Oct. 13 to 22.

The new 26,000 lb. GVWR Workhorse platform is "a chassis that is out of this RV world. It's one that will enable companies like Forest River to provide exciting new choices for the RV consumer," said Bob Wert, Workhorse vice president of RV sales and marketing.

The initial Workhorse UFO™ platform, now in production, is gas powered, the first such rear-engine platform the industry has seen in over two decades. Workhorse UFO™ offers the same GM Vortec™ 8.1L engine that helped make Workhorse's front-engine W Series the most popular platform available.

One of the exciting attributes that "UFO" stands for is Universal Floorplan Option. Workhorse reconfigured the drivetrain and frame so that manufacturers can build upon a completely flat floor from front to back, without the intrusion of the engine and cooling system into the rear bedroom or cockpit space. Workhorse UFO™ is the first and only platform that provides this truly universal open-floor design capability.

A significant market "It's revolutionary," said Art Colvin, general manager of Forest River. "For one thing, it's been years since anybody tried a rear gas engine. Some people remember the cooling problems with previous rear gas engines. But Workhorse has developed an advanced cooling system that does an excellent job of regulating the engine's temperature. They did extensive testing and a lot of preliminary design work, before they ever put this chassis together."

"We saw a market opportunity for rear gas motor homes three years ago, and we suggested it to them," Colvin continued. "They listened and came back with the Workhorse UFO™ chassis."

Forest River intends to offer the rear gas option on its standard Georgetown model and on select Georgetown SE and Georgetown XL models. Several new floorplans have been developed for coaches ranging from 35- to 38-feet.

Workhorse UFO™ based motor homes will attract people currently considering the purchase of a high-end gas or low-end diesel motor home, a segment of the motor home market that should have a very broad appeal. "It's obviously going to fill a niche between the diesel pusher and the front-engine gas motor home," said Colvin. "The gas version is going to give people a true alternative to diesel."

Product advantages Workhorse UFO™ advantages begin with its lightweight design. The 26,000 lb. GVWR gas powered Workhorse UFO™ is 2,000 pounds lighter than existing 28,000 lb. GVWR diesel chassis, giving the Workhorse UFO™ the same carrying capacity as the latter at a significantly lower price tag. What's more, gas engines provide savings in maintenance costs versus diesels. With less mass to move, the 8.1L GM Vortec gas powerplant can also outperform equivalent diesel engines.

At the same time, the lowered engine and the new, proprietary front and back suspensions give the Workhorse UFO™ exceptional ride and handling. "We've eliminated the choice RVers often have to make between a better riding versus a better handling coach," said Wert. "You have to drive it to believe it, there's no compromise with the Workhorse UFO™ chassis."

A 55-degree wheel cut makes the motor home more maneuverable in tight spots than any gas chassis, and is comparable to the best diesel chassis available today. The drivetrain uses an Allison Series 2000 six-speed automatic transmission that includes Transmission Grade Braking, ultra protective synthetic transmission fluid, standard push-button shifter and a 5-year, 200,000-mile transmission warranty.

The advantages of a rear engine include less cabin noise, less cabin heat, and, without the front-to-back drive shaft, less vibration and the opportunity to build in pass through basement storage. The front rather than side entry door is also a plus for floor plan variety, and the lack of a "doghouse" engine cover in the cab makes it easier to move in the cockpit. Furthermore, there is no engine protruding into the bedroom area either.

The first noticeable advantage of the gas powered Workhorse UFO™ is how much quieter it is in than comparable front gas motor homes, said Colvin. Compared to existing diesels, the gas Workhorse UFO™ is much more affordable. This will be especially true in 2007 when all diesel platforms will experience upward cost pressure as they incorporate changes to meet new more stringent emissions standards.

The new Georgetown floorplans on the Workhorse UFO™ chassis "are what is exciting to us," said Colvin. "It's no secret, floor plans drive RV customer buying decisions. With the Workhorse UFO™, the type of engine doesn't have to get in the way of that decision. Customers can get the floorplan they want with the engine they want."

"Forest River sparked our vision of the project early on," said Wert. "So we're very pleased to join with them in this first announcement." Expect more Workhorse UFO™ sightings soon. Workhorse is working with other major manufacturers that are developing coaches with the Workhorse UFO™ chassis.

Forest River:

Forest River Inc. is a manufacturer of a wide range of recreational vehicle, marine, manufactured housing, cargo, and utility trailer products. For more information, visit www.forestriverinc.com.

Workhorse Custom Chassis:

Both Workhorse and International are subsidiaries of Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV). For additional information call 877-294-6773 or visit www.workhorse.com.

[ Sep 12, 2006 ]

http://www.rv-news.com/newrvnews/News_Story.cfm?ID=64

Jestme13 · 09-13-2006, 10:15 AM

Yo Tom, yer late Bro. This is last weeks news paper.

What's hot in HERSHEY ??????

Tom N · 09-13-2006, 11:33 AM

I'm not in Hershey this year. First time in 4 years. I didn't want my wife and I to be tempted by the '07 gas W25.5 Mountain Aire.

rvten · 09-13-2006, 03:23 PM

Sounds nice. But I hope not everyone goes with front entry. We do not care for them. Prefer middle entry.

DriVer · 09-13-2006, 05:38 PM

Tom you're a little late. I already had the story put up "here" with pictures.

Please don't forget to check the RV Industry News Forum for some of the latest News and Press Releases about the new UFO.

Tom N · 09-13-2006, 05:54 PM

Well I broke the UFO story. I can't be first on all the details.

DriVer · 09-13-2006, 06:01 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jestme13:
What's hot in HERSHEY ?????? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>The Workhorse UFO was announced today in public at the Hershey PRVCA Show this after noon by Bob Wert, VP of Marketing, Product Planning and Sales along with the familiar PR lackey, Bill Walmsley Marketing Director for Workhorse.

2 Alien dressed actors plied the crowd with invitations to attend the event at 3:00pm. Enshrouded from secrecy in print and now in public the new UFO is prepared to stand head an shoulders above the rest of the crowd.

The totally new and evolutionary rear gas pusher UFO is unlike anything on the market today. From it's best in class construction features using all huck bolted frame components to the HPB hydraulic over hydraulic braking system and the WISE CCM (Computer Control Module) brakes with traditional and conventional engineering.

At the Hershey Show you will, be able to see and examine 3 variations of the UFO. A retail coach in the Forest River display area, a UFO chassis in the Workhorse booth and finally the opportunity to ride and drive the new UFO.

Enjoy your days at the show and I'm sure you will be impressed with the new Workhorse UFO.

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