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Full-Timers · 03-29-2008, 07:49 PM

Damon Motor Coach in late spring will introduce a relatively short 31 1/2-foot, European-inspired front-engine Avanti Class A diesel motorhome built on a 16,000-GVWR Workhorse W-42 commercial truck chassis that emphasizes fuel economy.

Full-Timers · 03-29-2008, 07:49 PM

Damon Motor Coach in late spring will introduce a relatively short 31 1/2-foot, European-inspired front-engine Avanti Class A diesel motorhome built on a 16,000-GVWR Workhorse W-42 commercial truck chassis that emphasizes fuel economy.

max49 · 03-30-2008, 06:11 AM

Where did you read this? I don't see it here http://www.damonrv.com/motorhomes/. Do you have a link?

Fred and Bonnie · 03-30-2008, 12:01 PM

RV Business posted this article:

BREAKING NEWS
Damon Designs Shorter, Fuel-Efficient Class A
Bob Ashley
RV Business
Friday, March 28, 2008

Damon Motor Coach in late spring will introduce a relatively short 31 1/2-foot, European-inspired front-engine Avanti Class A diesel motorhome built on a 16,000-GVWR Workhorse W-42 commercial truck chassis that emphasizes fuel economy.

"Our goal is to get 15 miles per gallon," said Bill Fenech, president of the Elkhart, Ind., subsidiary of Thor Industries Inc. "That's a huge difference from what Class A motorhomes are getting now."

The planned Avanti and Del-Ray – Damon's first Class C motorhome also in development – are expected to be introduced to dealers in May as a hedge against a soft market that has prompted layoffs at Damon and a number of other U.S. RV manufacturers.

"It's not a secret the RV industry is off on shipments and retail sales," said Fenech, whose company is following through with plans to set up Del-Ray production in a dedicated Elkhart plant. "We needed to match our rate of production to the market.''

The Avanti, with a yacht-like interior and a sloped front end similar to profiles more popular today in Europe, will have one slideout and eventually be offered in two or three floorplans – none longer than 32 feet.

The suspension on the W-42 chassis has been modified to afford better driveability, Fenech said. "We've done several things to create better aerodynamics," he added, noting that outside consultants were brought into help streamline the Avanti.

"Fuel economy is a hot topic and Europe has been in the fuel-economy business for quite awhile,'' Fenech said. "We hope to do for the Class A market what the (German-built) Sprinter did for the Class C market."

max49 · 03-30-2008, 01:57 PM

That could be a good seller.
I've been thinkin about trading my Damon for something like a Winnie View but they are so expensive for such a cute little camper. Since the 340HP chugs up the mountains, I wonder how a 143HP diesel would do.
Then diesel costs about 25% more than gas so I'd hope it would get 100% better mileage.
Any body heard what kind of mileage the View gets? Anybody beside Winnie build on this chassis?
What kind of engine is in the W-42?
@ 16000 GVW it must be small.

DriVer · 03-30-2008, 05:02 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by max49:
... @ 16000 GVW it must be small. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Max, The 16,000 GVW rated Workhorse Chassis called the W16 has an 8.1L engine and a 4L80E 4 speed GM automatic transmission with a parking pawl.

max49 · 03-30-2008, 06:17 PM

Driver, he is talking about a new Cl A diesel, W-42 so it must be based on this one
http://www.workhorse.com/Portals/0/products/Chassis/P42...DIESEL%20Insert2.pdf
I'm surprised you did'nt tell us about this new WH model first.
It might be a good idea. Our 7 MPG MH's may get to be dinosaurs before sooner than we expected.

parts_expert · 03-31-2008, 05:22 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by max49:
What kind of engine is in the W-42?
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>
the diesel version gets the
International 4.5 liter V6
200HP
440 ft./lbs. TQ

the gas versions get the updated LY2 4.8/LY6 6.0 GM V8s, but I'm sure they're not looking at those since there is already the W16 chassis with the 6.0

the W42 is a standard lighter duty stepvan chassis, but obviously, almost any body can be built over a strip chassis

max49 · 03-31-2008, 06:03 AM

Any word on what chassis/ engine their Cl C will have? I wonder if they'll use the WH/ International or the Dodge / Mercedes or something different.
On 2nd thought, I doubt if that little Mercedes would pull 16,000 lbs very well. Any thoughts on this?

DriVer · 03-31-2008, 05:51 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by max49:
I'm surprised you didn't tell us about this new WH model first.. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Max, This chassis and others like it have been rolling off the production line for quite some time. I had not focused too much attention on this product line since most of these are used for commercial applications.

I did not see the PR on RVB until it was posted here however if WCC wanted me to see this immediately I'm sure I would have seen it come directly from the horse's mouth.

Workhorse being a custom chassis company can and has responded to a customer's need and this is what we see in the March 30 release. Unfortunately Damon does not feed me press releases.

Small diesel powered motorhomes are very popular in Europe. At 31 feet, if it were in the European market, it would probably be equivalent in perception to a 40 footer or more.

DriVer · 03-31-2008, 05:54 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by max49:
Any word on what chassis/ engine their Cl C will have? I wonder if they'll use the WH/ International or the Dodge / Mercedes or something different. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>The engine in the W42 is an International Maxx Force 5 series engine.

max49 · 03-31-2008, 06:06 PM

Who makes the cab part of Workhorses' Cl C ? Chevy? If Damon were to make a Cl C diesel, any idea who'd chassis, engine, and cab they would use?

DriVer · 03-31-2008, 07:19 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by max49:
Who makes the cab part of Workhorses' Cl C ? Chevy? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>The OEM that purchased the chassis makes the box. In the case of the Class C, GM makes the cab space. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">If Damon were to make a Cl C diesel, any idea who'd chassis, engine, and cab they would use? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I'm thinking that they said they would be using a Workhorse chassis from Union City, and an International engine. Damon would make their own coach body. There is going to be little challenge for Damon to come up with a coach body design since they are already produce several models of front gas powered Class A motorhomes as it is.

max49 · 04-01-2008, 02:57 AM

Interesting, that it appears Damon may be taking the lead in more fuel efficient RVs.
I see the W-42 has a driveshaft parking brake. Is it manual or autpark?
I don't think I've seen an RV mfgr build a curved sheet metal cab before. I wonder if they are set up to build something like that?