FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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The latest in motor home driving: Workhorse to show new 22,000 lb. GVWR version of UFO (TM) chassis at Tampa RV show.</span>
January 4th, 2008, TAMPA, FL "” Workhorse Custom Chassis has now extended the range of motor homes able to use its groundbreaking UFO chassis with a rear gas engine. A new 22,000 lb. GVWR version of the 26,000 lb. GVWR Workhorse UFO chassis will be on display to the public for the first time at the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa Jan. 16 to 20.
Those attending the show will have the opportunity to experience first-hand what all the fuss is about. Workhorse will offer test drives on coaches built on the heavier-duty UFO chassis. Show goers can reserve at test drive now by going to
Drive a UFO in Tampa. Or at the show they can go to Workhorse booth No. 145 to sign up.
"With the 22,000 lb. GVWR option, Workhorse brings RVers yet another choice in the 22,000 to 26,000 lb. GVWR segment of the motor home market,"¯ said Bill Walmsley, director of RV marketing for Workhorse.
"Workhorse was the first chassis manufacturer to establish a front gas engine presence in this segment, first with our 22,000 lb. GVWR W22 chassis in 2000, and then with our 24,000 lb. and 25,500 lb. GVWR models in 2003 and 2005. Both of these latter chassis enabled many diesel-like options for bigger homes, like 22.5-inch wheels.
"Our research has also shown that 70 percent of RVers would prefer a rear-engine motor home. So now, we've added the UFO chassis as a useful option on both ends of that mid- to large-size motor home segment. Once again, we think this puts us ahead of the curve in giving RVers what they want.
"Altogether, Workhorse provides more gas and diesel choices, across a greater range of GVWRs, than any other chassis manufacturer,"¯ concluded Walmsley.
Advantages of a rear engine include less cabin noise and heat. Without the front-to-back drive shaft, there's also less vibration and less horsepower loss as well as more pass-through basement storage. The lack of a "doghouse"¯ front-engine cover in the cab also makes it easier to move around.
As a result of the Workhorse UFO chassis, motor home buyers are able to obtain many of these rear-engine diesel benefits for the less-expensive cost of a gas coach. "That's a great added value,"¯ said Walmsley.
The new, smaller capacity platform retains the same GM Vortec™ 8.1L gas powerplant mated to a six-speed automatic Allison transmission, as well as the other benefits that have given the UFO chassis 100 percent "excellent"¯ or "good"¯ ratings in fall test drives.
"The ride and handling scores for this chassis have been superlative, and OEMs have started to take advantage of the new design options this chassis offers,"¯ said Walmsley. The UFO chassis enables coach manufacturers to build on a completely flat floor from front to back, with no engine hump in either the front or the rear. So smaller motor homes can now boast floorplans similar to diesels, or go beyond what even diesels can offer because they don't have to put a bed and related furniture in back to cover the diesel engine hump.
"You could have a rear living area, for example,"¯ said Walmsley,
Currently, seven motor home models are built on the 26,000 lb. GVWR UFO chassis:
"¢ Forest River Georgetown
"¢ Georgie Boy Cruise Master
"¢ Holiday Rambler Vacationer
"¢ Itasca Latitude™
"¢ Monaco LaPalma
"¢ Rexhall Aerbus
"¢ Winnebago Destination™
With a gas rather than a diesel engine in the rear, one of the most frequent comments has been how quiet the UFO chassis is in the cabin. In some cases, drivers haven't even been able to tell whether the engine has started.
"People really appreciate how easy it is now to carry on a conversation while driving the UFO chassis,"¯ said Walmsley. "They can also enjoy their music better. Anything that makes the ride more enjoyable is what we want to do.
"I think the great reception RVers have given to all the innovations we've introduced in recent years in terms of motor home ride, handling, performance and capacity shows that we're giving RVers what they want. Each advancement has moved the industry forward in terms of creating a more enjoyable motor home experience."¯
Workhorse Custom Chassis
Workhorse Custom Chassis is ISO 9001 certified and a leader in the manufacture of chassis for motor homes, walk-in trucks and buses. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Truck and Engine Corporation. For additional information call 877-294-6773 or visit
Workhorse.com.
International Truck and Engine Corporation is the operating company of Navistar International Corporation (Other OTC:
NAVZ). In addition to Workhorse brand chassis, the company produces International® brand commercial trucks, MaxxForce™ diesel engines and IC Corporation school buses and commercial buses, and is a private label designer and manufacturer of diesel engines for the pickup truck, van and SUV markets. A wholly owned subsidiary offers financing services. Additional information is available at:
navistar.com.
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