WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING coaches that are just a little different, Dynamax is certainly one of the leading contenders. The company established itself as an out-of-the-box manufacturer when it introduced the Grand Sport, a sleek-looking luxury coach mated to a Freightliner cab. Now the company has introduced the DynaQuest, a smaller version of the Grand Sport slated to appeal to those who want a stylish Class C with an almost bulletproof drivetrain and serious luxury in a more compact package.

Built on a Freightliner M2 chassis with a 23,000-pound gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), the DynaQuest is powered by a Mercedes-Benz 6.4-liter diesel engine backed by an Allison 3000 series six-speed automatic transmission. The test rig (a prototype) was outfitted with a 210-HP version of the Mercedes diesel tied to an Allison 1000 series fivespeed automatic transmission. WMe the smaller diesel is available on special order, the company will provide the 250-HP diesel as standard, upping the GVWR from 21,000 pounds (as in the test rig). (more…)

Coach House say: “Not too big, not too small: That’s the Coach House Platinum, the best-looking motorhome in its class. Spacious enough to contain all the amenities of home — with a full 6 feet, 3 inches of headroom — yet small enough to give any driver confidence behind the wheel.”   The Platinum is built on a Ford E-450 Super Duty Chassis (158-in. wheelbase for 231; 176-in. wheelbase for 261XL and 272XL) with 6.8-liter Triton V-10 engine.

“Why are Heartland fifth wheels SELLING while others are not, you ask?”  Heartland says: “The answer is simple. Heartland fifth wheels simply offer more innovative features and built-in value than our competition!”  The Landmark is Heartland’s flagship fifth wheel and it certainly offers many innovative features - but more than that - it’s simply beautiful and a work of craftsmen.

Heartland says: “Each LANDMARK floorplan now comes with our “suites” bedroom/bathroom arrangement, featuring a large linen closet with room for a stackable washer/dryer; 30% larger walk-in front wardrobe; a 30% larger dresser with six larger drawer and overhead cabinets.

If the Ford Escape Hybrid is “The Candidate’s Choice,” then the automaker’s big, bad Super Duty trucks are “The Smuggler’s Choice.” You see, unfortunately for truck owners, drug and human traffickers are “choosing” to steal them from the public to use in their nefarious endeavors. (more…)

The Ford F-150 is America’s annual best seller, moving more units than anything else since Jimmy Carter was president. It’s also one of the most challenged when it comes to cutting through the air, although we know there’s worse. If the F-150 is going to clear the hurdle of new CAFE regs, that’s going to change: its combined 16.5 mpg won’t make it any friends come 2020.

Ford designers, led by North American Design Director Peter Horbury, are already looking at ways to make the next generation F-150 more aerodynamic, despite the all-new 2009 Ford F-150 having just debuted. The problem is, there simply aren’t many options for making a difference: the only two components are the giant block of a passenger compartment and the massive drag-creating void of a bed behind it. Ford design did attempt to go a little aero with the front end of the 10th generation 1997-2003 F-150, but that, frankly, wasn’t what people expected from an American pickup.

Winnebago Industries Inc., the biggest U.S. m (more…)

Kevin and Lorraine Sugrue are looking to the future with their number plate.

The Pleasant Point couple’s motorhome proudly sports the personalised plate 2OLDEZ — not that the pair necessarily agree with the statement.

“We don’t consider ourselves old. We both enjoy ourselves a lot and get away and go fishing and boating. We think we’re looking ahead with the plate — it’s a bit of an investment,” Lorraine said, with a laugh.

She bought the plate as a birthday present for her husband about six years ago.

“I bought it for our boat trailer but discovered I would have to buy two so we put it on our car.”

When the duo bought a motorhome two years ago, the plate was transferred.

Lorraine had paid about $500 for the attention-grabbing registration.

“And we have a surround on it which says Sailing with pictures of yachts, which cost a bit extra.”

Having a personalised plate also guaranteed attention.

“People laugh and we get a lot of comments or a toot and a wave.

“Once we went away to do some shopping and when we got back we had to walk through a line up to get back to the motorhome. Tourists were taking photos of the plate and we had to wait for them to finish.”

When the Sugrues bought the plate, they weren’t common but things had changed since then.

“There are so many of them around now but they still always catch your eye.”

And Lorraine hoped their plate would do just that for years to come.