More European Designs becoming prevalent?

[RobertRyan]

Although the article (from RV Breaking News)refers to a range off European RV's, it does mention Class C's a lot. Class C's make up roughly 50% of European RV's sold.
The economic meltdown has reduced the number sold to 155, 000 units, but that is rapidly starting to rise again.

In spite of U.S. dominance in the international recreational vehicle industry, in recent years the balance of power has swung towards more innovative European RV manufacturers. This is evidenced by the success of Germany’s Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform here in the USA which was subsequently joined by Ford’s European Transit Van and Italy’s Fiat’s Ducato chassis. Small is the key in Europe though there are some superlative Class A motorhome manufacturers like Volkner Mobil and Ketterer Spezialfahrzeug both of whom offer mohos with integral car garages and full-length lateral slides. The Germans have also built some stunning Toterhomes including Concorde Reisemobile’s stunning 420hp Centurion 1200 RV.
On a continent where the Flxible, Eagle, and Blue Bird Wanderlodge once ruled supreme, the leading luxury motorhome chassis in the United States is currently manufactured by Swedish-owned and Canadian-based Prevost Car, Inc. Even Oklahoma-based Newell Coach turned to European-based Porsche Design when they decided to refresh the front end of their luxury motorhome line-up.
With few exceptions, the most radical and innovative designs are heading across the pond from east to west, and Germany’s Dethleffs are a case in point. The latter debuted their latest 177hp Class A diesel motorhome on the Fiat Ducato platform at the 2012 CMT show in Stuttgart, Germany. Designed by Michael Studer the Dethleffs “Evan” measures a mere 18.5 feet in length but still manages to sleep four by way of a lift bed under the roof of the cab as well as a 2-berth sleeper in the pop-top roof tent. The unit is notable for its exceptional use of the available interior space. It even incorporates a variable space bathroom!
One good reason for Germany’s Volkswagen Group to reconsider a return to the North American market would be Danbury’s revolutionary “DoubleBack” conversion of the T5 Transporter. Developed by mechanical engineer, Craig McCormack, the DoubleBack camper incorporates a remarkable 130kg telescoping rear Pod which, once deployed, adds almost 2 metres (6 feet) to the length of the vehicle. The pod can be used to provide an additional 2-berth bedroom (in addition to the pop-top sleeping berth) or can be configured for use as a seating or storage area.
In the absence of a US-built VW Transporter, off-road enthusiasts should check out the US-built XPCamper. Designed by German immigrant, Marc Wassmann, the XPCamper utilizes a tough, lightweight camper shell which incorporates a remote controlled hydraulic popup system and sports an exceptionally equipped interior. The XPCamper – which has the distinction of being the world’s first composite RV pop-up camper – was subsequently joined by the “V2,” a smaller clamshell designed XPCamper model that’s custom designed for compact trucks like the Toyota Tacoma.

[EdnGay]

Saw this in the Badlands.

http://www.uniqhotels.com/rotel-german-bus-hotel

[johnwalkerpa1]

bukhrn wrote:
Where did they park that Red monster, certainly not in any NP, National Forest, COE, or any State Park we've ever been in.

Its been a couple of years but one was parked at the Badlands KOA in South Dakota a few spots down from us....This was 2009 so the bus was a few years older but the design and usage was the same. there were 34 people in the one we saw....wonder what their extra person charge was!!!


Interesting concept but it reminded me of sleeping in those pull-out drawers at the morgue 🙂

Not for me but we talked with a few of them who we could communicate with and they seemed to be having a great time....They did seriously overwhelm the shower house early each morning though!

[G7ARYM]

One August we ran into the Red Motorhotel at Circus Circus in Las Vegas. The group in age from 20 some things to over 60 were on an extended tour starting in Canada. Did I say Las Vegas in August where it was 107+ with an overnight low in the 90’s and the sleeping compartments were not air conditioned? On my morning dog walk I passed a very unhappy sleep deprived group sitting in the shade waiting for the bus to fire up and take them to the Grand Canyon. One poor lady knew enough English to mention that the last two nights were brutal. The front end passenger half was cooled when in motion but not when camped. Don’t know if any of them ran next door for a $30 room at the hotel.

[RobertRyan]

pnichols wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:
You have not addressed mine why your rig would be useless.

OK here goes .... mine would be useless because: A) Ford is phasing out their legendary E350 and E450 van chassis so worldwide servicing would be impossible, and B) because much of the world is hung up on diesel power.

BTW, recent studies are showing that diesel power may not be all that it's cracked up to be for keeping CO2 out of the upper atmosphere. Gasoline power may come to rule for awhile into the future until all-electric is workable for the truck world.

You got one reason and Servicing the E series would be virtually impossible
On another note, many are freshening up their interiors in Australia . Different to the Europeans

[pnichols]

RobertRyan wrote:
You have not addressed mine why your rig would be useless.

OK here goes .... mine would be useless because: A) Ford is phasing out their legendary E350 and E450 van chassis so worldwide servicing would be impossible, and B) because much of the world is hung up on diesel power.

BTW, recent studies are showing that diesel power may not be all that it's cracked up to be for keeping CO2 out of the upper atmosphere. Gasoline power may come to rule for awhile into the future until all-electric is workable for the truck world.

[RobertRyan]

PSW wrote:
Robert

Thanks for the post and link about Big Bertha The Red Monster. Here is another link direct to the company, but it is in German. Still, you can see lots of pictures and get a great perspective of these things. Seems like you sleep in a cubicle 3 feet high according to the link you provided.

I now see how they work and how they travel. Actually, the pictures on their site here http://www.rotel.de/ shows they are not really as high as it appeared, so I guess they could go more places than I supposed. In any event, thanks.

Paul

It is a great concept, if like being in a "camp" like atmosphere

[PSW]

Robert

Thanks for the post and link about Big Bertha The Red Monster. Here is another link direct to the company, but it is in German. Still, you can see lots of pictures and get a great perspective of these things. Seems like you sleep in a cubicle 3 feet high according to the link you provided.

I now see how they work and how they travel. Actually, the pictures on their site here http://www.rotel.de/ shows they are not really as high as it appeared, so I guess they could go more places than I supposed. In any event, thanks.

Paul

[RobertRyan]

pnichols wrote:
Robert .... you have not addressed my earlier list of some practical design attributes as applied to the non-expedition rigs shown in your photos of beautiful RV interiors.

Of course expedition motorhomes have the guts to get the job done. I'm talking about what's inside common small motorhomes that us non-1% mortals can afford to buy and take on multi-month trips all over the U.S.. Reading the specifications of Class C after Class C I see a lot of variation. Buyer beware certainly applies.

You have not addressed mine why your rig would be useless. In addressing that, you will basically answer your own questions
No they are not Expedition interiors, they are basic Class C primarily

[pnichols]

Robert .... you have not addressed my earlier list of some practical design attributes as applied to the non-expedition rigs shown in your photos of beautiful RV interiors.

Of course expedition motorhomes have the guts to get the job done. I'm talking about what's inside common small motorhomes that us non-1% mortals can afford to buy and take on multi-month trips all over the U.S.. Reading the specifications of Class C after Class C I see a lot of variation. Buyer beware certainly applies.

[RobertRyan]

pnichols wrote:
Robert, in the same way think about why many of the off-shore chassis under Class C rigs you show would be a total failure in the U.S..

Many of Ford's new world market truck chassis will most likely eventually find their way to Australia, Africa, and Europe under motorhomes. Are you implying that they won't hack it in those countries when they do get there because they're "a Ford"?

Yes, they will not hack it ,not that suitable. Yours specifically is useless, tell me why it would be so?
Those "off-shore chassis" rigs are already being sold in the US and are very successful
Promaster,Sprinter Class B's, not really " chassis rigs"

[pnichols]

Robert, in the same way think about why many of the off-shore chassis under Class C rigs you show would be a total failure in the U.S..

Many of Ford's new world market truck chassis will most likely eventually find their way to Australia, Africa, and Europe under motorhomes. Are you implying that they won't hack it in those countries when they do get there because they're "a Ford"?

[RobertRyan]

pnichols wrote:

RobertRyan wrote:
Would your rig survive in Australia, Africa? These have. I know your Ford would not.

How so??? Are you really serious that the various Ford E350/F350/E450/F450/F550 truck chassis are less truck than the various 1-ton, 1 1/4 ton, and 1 1/2 ton chassis supporting the off-shore coaches in some of your photos?

Better not bring up your position on the Ford truck owners' forums. 😉

(By the way, notice that nearly all of the concerns in my list above were related to Class C coach attributes ... not the chassis under them.)

Of course, they are. Think about why YOURS would be total failure in Australia and Africa and Europe . By the way the E and F350-F550 are not sold in Australia, or in Africa or Europe

[pnichols]

RobertRyan wrote:
Would your rig survive in Australia, Africa? These have. I know your Ford would not.

How so??? Are you really serious that the various Ford E350/F350/E450/F450/F550 truck chassis are less truck than the various 1-ton, 1 1/4 ton, and 1 1/2 ton chassis supporting the off-shore coaches in some of your photos?

Better not bring up your position on the Ford truck owners' forums. 😉

(By the way, notice that nearly all of the concerns in my list above were related to Class C coach attributes ... not the chassis under them.)

[RobertRyan]

PSW wrote:
RobertRyan, that is one beautiful Class C coach in the picture. Gorgeous.

If Big Red RV bus is just 45 feet long, I wonder how tall it is? I am thinking about underpasses and heights. If they are going east to west across the US, I assume they are using the Interstate system pretty exclusively. OR, perhaps the picture just gives a false perspective as to true measurements.

Do you know of a link for the Big Red cross country trip? It would be interesting to read.

Paul

Do not give many details, but here is a website and description of the tours. They are Rotels, Rolling Hotels.
Rotel Website.