A new 22,000 lb. GVWR version of the 26,000 lb. GVWR Workhorse UFO chassis will be on display to the public for the first time at the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa Jan. 16 to 20, 2008.

Those attending the show will have the opportunity to experience first-hand what all the fuss is about. Workhorse will offer test drives on coaches built on the heavier-duty UFO chassis. Workhorse advised Roaming Times that so far they have produced around 700 of the rear engine chassis

Show goers can reserve at test drive now by going to www.worhorse.com. Or at the show they can go to Workhorse booth No. 145 to sign up.

"With the 22,000 lb. GVWR option, Workhorse brings RVers yet another choice in the 22,000 to 26,000 lb. GVWR segment of the motor home market," said Bill Walmsley, director of RV marketing for Workhorse.

Workhorse was the first chassis manufacturer to establish a front gas engine presence in this segment, first with our 22,000 lb. GVWR W22 chassis in 2000, and then with our 24,000 lb. and 25,500 lb. GVWR models in 2003 and 2005. Both of these latter chassis enabled many diesel-like options for bigger homes, like 22.5-inch wheels.  

Our research has also shown that 70 percent of RVers would prefer a rear-engine motor home. So now, we've added the UFO chassis as a useful option on both ends of that mid- to large-size motor home segment. Once again, we think this puts us ahead of the curve in giving RVers what they want.

Altogether, Workhorse provides more gas and diesel choices, across a greater range of GVWRs, than any other chassis manufacturer," concluded Walmsley.

Currently, seven motor home models are built on the 26,000 lb. GVWR UFO chassis:

• Forest River Georgetown
• Georgie Boy Cruise Master
• Holiday Rambler Vacationer
• Itasca Latitude
• Monaco LaPalma
• Rexhall Aerbus
• Winnebago Destination

With a gas rather than a diesel engine in the rear, one of the most frequent comments has been how quiet the UFO chassis is in the cabin. In some cases, drivers haven't even been able to tell whether the engine has started.

People really appreciate how easy it is now to carry on a conversation while driving the UFO chassis," said Walmsley. They can also enjoy their music better. Anything that makes the ride more enjoyable is what we want to do.

I think the great reception RVers have given to all the innovations we've introduced in recent years in terms of motor home ride, handling, performance and capacity shows that were giving RVers what they want. Each advancement has moved the industry forward in terms of creating a more enjoyable motor home experience."

(A note on cooling:  The rear engine is made possible by a unitized cool pack and oversized fan - despite the large fan, noise levels in the cabin are exceptionally low - as mentioned above.)

Read the full press release here

Rear-engine gas motorhome - what do you think?
What do you think? ...