Abstract: A method of fabricating a motorhome, wherein the motorhome comprises a chassis, a vehicle frame, and a coach body. In one embodiment, the method begins by prefabricating the frame by joining a plurality of parallel elongate members with cross-tie members. The frame is prefabricated separate from the chassis, and in one embodiment, the frame is prefabricated upside down such that the underside of the frame is accessible for attachment of a plurality of bulkheads. Then, the frame is rotated upright and positioned atop the chassis. In one embodiment, the rails of the chassis lie inside a channel defined by the plurality of bulkheads. Next, additional bulkheads are joined to the frame and chassis to further interconnect the frame and chassis. Preferably, the additional bulkheads comprise an opening such that the additional bulkheads can surround the chassis on all sides. Finally, the coach body is assembled on the frame.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a motorhome, wherein the motorhome comprises a chassis, a vehicle frame, and a coach body. In one embodiment, the method begins by prefabricating the frame by joining a plurality of parallel elongate members with cross-tie members. The frame is prefabricated separate from the chassis, and in one embodiment, the frame is prefabricated upside down such that the underside of the frame is accessible for attachment of a plurality of bulkheads. Then, the frame is rotated upright and positioned atop the chassis. In one embodiment, the rails of the chassis lie inside a channel defined by the plurality of bulkheads. Next, additional bulkheads are joined to the frame and chassis to further interconnect the frame and chassis. Preferably, the additional bulkheads comprise an opening such that the additional bulkheads can surround the chassis on all sides. Finally, the coach body is assembled on the frame.

Abstract: Previously used packing and shipping material, including foam based packaging and support products, may be recycled in a manner so as to reduce the manufacturing costs associated with insulating the structural enclosures of recreational vehicles. By finely shredding pieces of recycled packing material, an adaptive insulation material may be produced such that, when introduced into spatial cavities within structural enclosures of recreational vehicles using, for example, forced air, the adaptive insulation material substantially conforms to regular and irregular contoured structures. Utilizing recycled packing materials as insulation provides many advantages which result in an effective and valuable means for reducing production costs, reducing adverse environmental impact, and maintaining insulation efficiency of recreational vehicles.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle comprising a vehicle frame having a plurality of wheels and a coach having a slide-out mounted on the vehicle frame is disclosed herein. In particular, the recreational vehicle comprises an improved slide-out mechanism for deploying and retracting slide-out structures from the coach of the recreational vehicle. In one aspect, the recreational vehicle may comprise an armature having a fixed member with a roller and a guiding channel mounted to the vehicle frame and a rail member slidably positioned within the fixed member so as to contact the roller, wherein the rail member is adapted to telescopically extend from the fixed member through the guiding channel so as to deploy and retract the slide-out.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a motorhome, wherein the motorhome comprises a chassis, a vehicle frame, and a coach body. In one embodiment, the method begins by prefabricating the frame by joining a plurality of parallel elongate members with cross-tie members. The frame is prefabricated separate from the chassis, and in one embodiment, the frame is prefabricated upside down such that the underside of the frame is accessible for attachment of a plurality of bulkheads. Then, the frame is rotated upright and positioned atop the chassis. In one embodiment, the rails of the chassis lie inside a channel defined by the plurality of bulkheads. Next, additional bulkheads are joined to the frame and chassis to further interconnect the frame and chassis. Preferably, the additional bulkheads comprise an opening such that the additional bulkheads can surround the chassis on all sides. Finally, the coach body is assembled on the frame.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a motorhome, wherein the motorhome comprises a chassis, a vehicle frame, and a coach body. In one embodiment, the method begins by prefabricating the frame by joining a plurality of parallel elongate members with cross-tie members. The frame is prefabricated separate from the chassis, and in one embodiment, the frame is prefabricated upside down such that the underside of the frame is accessible for attachment of a plurality of bulkheads. Then, the frame is rotated upright and positioned atop the chassis. In one embodiment, the rails of the chassis lie inside a channel defined by the plurality of bulkheads. Next, additional bulkheads are joined to the frame and chassis to further interconnect the frame and chassis. Preferably, the additional bulkheads comprise an opening such that the additional bulkheads can surround the chassis on all sides. Finally, the coach body is assembled on the frame.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle (RV) with a central actuator that controls locking and unlocking of a plurality of access doors. Each of the access doors has a locking member that is interconnected to the central actuator. Thus, the central actuator may be configured to lock or unlock selected group of doors simultaneously. The central actuator is located inside the RV, and controlling input to the central actuator may be from a remote transmitter, or by direct manipulation of the central actuator. The locking members and the central actuator may be linked mechanically, electromagnetically, hydraulically, pneumatically, or in any number of ways. The central actuator advantageously permits an RV user to lock or unlock groups or all of the access doors simultaneously while inside the RV, or by using the remote transmitter.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle (RV) with a central actuator that controls locking and unlocking of a plurality of access doors. Each of the access doors has a locking member that is interconnected to the central actuator. Thus, the central actuator may be configured to lock or unlock selected group of doors simultaneously. The central actuator is located inside the RV, and controlling input to the central actuator may be from a remote transmitter, or by direct manipulation of the central actuator. The locking members and the central actuator may be linked mechanically, electromagnetically, hydraulically, pneumatically, or in any number of ways. The central actuator advantageously permits an RV user to lock or unlock groups or all of the access doors simultaneously while inside the RV, or by using the remote transmitter.

Abstract: A unitized heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for ventilating and regulating the air temperature inside a motorhome. Air is drawn from inside the motorhome and is directed to a furnace and an air conditioning unit via a common air return. A filter is positioned within the common return. The HVAC unit is compact and adapted for placement below the living area of motorhome so as to reduce the noise inside the cabin generated by the HVAC system and to reduce the center of mass of the motorhome so equipped.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a motorhome, wherein the motorhome comprises a chassis, a vehicle frame, and a coach body. In one embodiment, the method begins by prefabricating the frame by joining a plurality of parallel elongate members with cross-tie members. The frame is prefabricated separate from the chassis, and in one embodiment, the frame is prefabricated upside down such that the underside of the frame is accessible for attachment of a plurality of bulkheads. Then, the frame is rotated upright and positioned atop the chassis. In one embodiment, the rails of the chassis lie inside a channel defined by the plurality of bulkheads. Next, additional bulkheads are joined to the frame and chassis to further interconnect the frame and chassis. Preferably, the additional bulkheads comprise an opening such that the additional bulkheads can surround the chassis on all sides. Finally, the coach body is assembled on the frame.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a motorhome, wherein the motorhome comprises a chassis, a vehicle frame, and a coach body. In one embodiment, the method begins by prefabricating the frame by joining a plurality of parallel elongate members with cross-tie members. The frame is prefabricated separate from the chassis, and in one embodiment, the frame is prefabricated upside down such that the underside of the frame is accessible for attachment of a plurality of bulkheads. Then, the frame is rotated upright and positioned atop the chassis. In one embodiment, the rails of the chassis lie inside a channel defined by the plurality of bulkheads. Next, additional bulkheads are joined to the frame and chassis to further interconnect the frame and chassis. Preferably, the additional bulkheads comprise an opening such that the additional bulkheads can surround the chassis on all sides. Finally, the coach body is assembled on the frame.

Abstract: A recreational vehicle having an expandable room wherein the room can be positioned in a retracted or deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the room expands inwardly into the main housing of the vehicle so as to enlarge the area of the room without displacing the fixtures and plumbing that are typically positioned adjacent an outer wall of the room. The room can be extended in conjunction with an exterior slide-out assembly wherein the deployed slide-out assembly creates a larger inner living space so as to accommodate the expanded room wherein the expanded room comprises a walk-in closet.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a motorhome, wherein the motorhome comprises a chassis, a vehicle frame, and a coach body. In one embodiment, the method begins by prefabricating the frame by joining a plurality of parallel elongate members with cross-tie members. The frame is prefabricated separate from the chassis, and in one embodiment, the frame is prefabricated upside down such that the underside of the frame is accessible for attachment of a plurality of bulkheads. Then, the frame is rotated upright and positioned atop the chassis. In one embodiment, the rails of the chassis lie inside a channel defined by the plurality of bulkheads. Next, additional bulkheads are joined to the frame and chassis to further interconnect the frame and chassis. Preferably, the additional bulkheads comprise an opening such that the additional bulkheads can surround the chassis on all sides. Finally, the coach body is assembled on the frame.

Abstract: An improved travel trailer chassis that has a main section, which is connected to the axles of the wheels, a first elevated section that is connected to a forward end of the main section and is elevated above the main section and a second elevated section that is connected to a forward end of the first elevated section and is elevated above the first elevated section. The first elevated section is configured to receive a floor and fixtures to support a bathroom. A trunk space for storage is defined by a floor that extends forward from the main section of the chassis underneath the first elevated section of the chassis. One or more sewage tanks are mounted to the first elevated section of the chassis immediately beneath and substantially adjacent the floor of the bathroom supporting the fixtures. A drain assembly extends through the trunk space to an exhaust positioned outside of the trailer.