New all composite RV has exterior similar to a golf ball

Pilgrim International Inc. is introducing the first all composite RV at the annual Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) show in Louisville, Kentucky.

An all composite RV uses no wood in its construction, making the body resistant to mold and rot.

One of the compounds used on the outside of the RV is Dupont Surlyn: the impact resistant coating found on golf balls.

Considering the abuse that some golf balls suffer underneath the clubs of frustrated golfers, this sounds like the perfect coating for an RV. Just don’t expect the RV to be covered with little dimples.

In this photo, Pilgrim International Lamination Plant Manager Ken Mahaffa, and Co-founder and Chairman Dave Hoefer, stand next to the new composite RV.

According to Pilgrim International Inc.

Pilgrim International Inc. of Middlebury, Indiana, will introduce the RV industry’s first all-composite recreational vehicle in its 2008 product display booth 1060 at the annual Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) show in Louisville, Kentucky at the Kentucky Exposition Center, November 27-29, 2007.

Working closely with TekModo LLC, Pilgrim International will debut a display unit with floors, walls, roof and end caps completely Luan and plywood free and comprised entirely of CosmoLite, a thermoplastic fiber-reinforced composite. Additionally, Pilgrim International and TekModo will introduce the revolutionary exterior surface SpectraLite enhanced with Dupont Surlyn–the same extraordinarily impact resistant coating found on golf balls.
“We are adhering to our vision of continuous improvement to remain the forerunners in innovation of new technologies that will change the recreational vehicle industry.” Stated Pilgrim International Co-founder and Chairman Dave Hoefer.
The all composite Pilgrim International travel trailer debuting at the 2007 Louisville RVIA show is the first of its kind to utilize all composite construction with absolutely zero wood. This new technology enables Pilgrim International to manufacture completely seamless substrate floors, sidewalls, roofs and end-caps resulting in true uni-body strength for long lasting durability. In addition, the all-composite unit is fully water resistant and is impervious to rot, mildew and mold.

“The all-composite prototype unit displayed at this year’s RVIA show features a dramatic weight reduction over conventionally manufactured recreational vehicles,” stated Hoefer, “We are aspiring to build units weighing 15-to-20 percent less. This will improve fuel efficiency and will enable families to take more equipment. But more significantly, this dramatic weigh reduction will allow almost any vehicle to become a tow vehicle—from the family sedan, to the millions of mini vans on the road today. What was formerly towed by a one-ton truck will be towed by a three quarter ton truck, three quarter ton truck to a half ton—and so on. This technology opens up significant opportunities and markets for Pilgrim International dealers,” stated HoeferSource: Pilgrim International