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 Hoefer.

Introducing TekModo SpectraLite Enhanced with Dupont™ Surlyn®
Pilgrim International Invites You to Take Your Best Shot In Louisville!
The Pilgrim International all-composite unit introduced at the Louisville show will also showcase the new high-impact, extremely lightweight, high-gloss TekModo SpectraLite Enhanced with Dupont™ Surlyn® exterior coating. Marc LaCounte, co-founder of TekModo, elaborated on this phenomenal new RV technology.

“Golf balls throughout the world incorporate Surlyn® as a protective coating. Surlyn® is an extremely high-impact protective coating that overlays golf balls to protect them from marring and scratching. This advanced technology is now being used as the protective layer on the exterior of recreational vehicles,” he said.

“The introduction of SpectraLite to the marketplace represents a true advancement for Pilgrim International and their consumers,” stated TekModo co-founder Mary Wetzel. “Consumers today expect consistency in product and high levels of quality that will keep their units looking and performing as showroom new for years to come. Wetzel further stated, “Consumers will have a choice of color with all the benefits of higher quality, high-impact, lighter weight, and a superior finish. Eventually, we foresee TekModo SpectraLite Enhanced with Dupont™ Surlyn® as a colorable choice to enable consumers to customize their RV. Matching your RV with the color of your tow vehicle is now a reality. We are extremely pleased to partner closely with Pilgrim International to bring all of these innovative technologies to market just in time for the Louisville RVIA show,” concluded Wetzel.

A Greener, Leaner Recreational Vehicle
Utilizing the new CosmoLite thermoplastic fiber-reinforced composite, introduced by the company in October of 2007, the new Pilgrim all-composite travel trailers and fifth wheels will be completely formaldehyde free with no out-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In addition, the new Pilgrim International trailers manufactured with CosmoLite are completely recyclable. CosmoLite can be ground up, and reused like many plastic composites. High-density Styrofoam insulation within the vacuum laminated walls can be pulverized and recycled as blown-in insulation. Aluminum framing can also be re-melted and reused.

The new Pilgrim all-composite trailers engineered with CosmoLite conserve trees by eliminating Luan and plywood products, resulting in more environmentally friendly manufacturing for the entire RV industry.
“Every week, the recreational vehicle industry across North America runs through hundreds of thousands of square feet of Luan and plywood. Much of this is cut from old-growth forest all around the planet. We now have the technology to put an end to the use of these natural resources and become a greener industry as a whole,” said Dave Hoefer, Founder and Chairman of Pilgrim International.

“Using CosmoLite in the manufacturing process also results in less waste when compared to wood products as our new material is coil fed for more uniform fits, reducing the amount of scrap, and cutouts are easily recycled,” Hoefer concluded.

When used in the floor system alone in a 28-foot trailer, CosmoLite eliminates close to 100 pounds of weight yet is 3 times stronger than wood products. The CosmoLite used in a Pilgrim engineered floor is .53 pounds per square foot—about one third less weight than wood products. Lighter weight translates to improved fuel efficiency and the added ability to use smaller tow vehicles.

Pilgrim International, Inc. builds and sells travel trailer and fifth-wheel products. Celebrating its fifth year in business in 2007, Pilgrim has grown to the 15th largest producer in the towable segment of the $14 billion RV market. Pilgrim International is a recognized leader for product innovation, quality and value in travel trailers and fifth wheels.

Pilgrim International will introduce the RV industry’s first all-composite recreational vehicle at the annual RVIA show in Louisville, Kentucky November 27-29, 2007.

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