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Earthbound RV - The Rules Have Changed

Earthbound RV revolutionizes With a Lighter, Environmentally-Friendly Trailer Packed with High-Tech Amenities
Article Date: September, 2012


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Every now and then something revolutionary comes along that changes our way of thinking. Earthbound RV is doing just that. Its towable RVs are a perfect fit for the changing times.

Rising fuel costs are forcing RV owners to abandon their RVs, to travel far less than they used to, or to look for ways to operate them affordably. Ever stringent pollution and fuel-economy standards are forcing manufacturers to lighten their vehicles and reduce engine size. This is fine for daily drivers, but it just doesn't bode well for hauling heavy trailers.

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The environment is another issue. Existing RV construction depends heavily on limited resources, such as luan plywood from Southeast Asia. The adhesives used in this construction outgases some pretty nasty fumes, including formaldehyde, when it cures, and this can take quite a bit of time to vent out of a new RV. There is a lot of waste that doesn't get recycled.

Earthbound turns its back on existing construction techniques and begins with a clean sheet of paper. It places great emphasis on quality and includes features that are sometimes not even found in higher-end class-A motorhomes. In fact, when we visited the Earthbound factory in Marion, Indiana, we found it more akin to a top-notch aircraft assembly plant than an RV facility.

Construction Details

The biggest difference that you'll see in Earthbound is that there isn't a single piece of wood in its RVs. By not using wood, it eliminates the possibilities of rot, mildew, or mold. Instead, Earthbound uses recyclable materials, such as aluminum and aerospace-grade composites. Its commitment to the environment not only saves trees, but has earned the company the highest rated "Emerald" status at the NTA, and Roaming Times named it the "Green RV of the Year" for 2010.

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Sidewall, roof, and floor framing are accomplished with double-welded aluminum tubing that is later fitted with high-density insulation and vacuum bonded between layers of aluminum and composite materials.

The frame is electrostatic powder coated to improve resistance to rust. A wide-stance X-Track axle system offers a lower center of gravity for improved handling. Dual 3,500 Dexter axles with EasyLube hubs and independent torsion bar suspension make for a very smooth ride.

The crossmembers are fastened with huckbolts for strength up to five times greater than rivets or welds. Propane lines utilize lighter weight composite lines rather than heavy steel water piping to reduce weight and improve longevity. Power scissors jacks are attached to the frame for leveling the RV and feature manual overrides. Each jack is also protected by a skid plate to prevent any damage to the jack motors. The 15-inch Goodyear tires are mounted to polished alloy rims and a spare tire is conveniently located beneath the frame.

The holding tanks are seamless rotomolded and mounted beneath the chassis. Each holding tank is equipped with a 12-volt heat pad, which is strategically located near the valve. Each tank is sprayed with a ceramic-encapsulated insulation. Earthbound showed us how effective the insulation was by coating half of an electric skillet, which was heated to 300 degrees. An ice cube placed on the uncoated side instantly melted, but an ice cube placed on the coated side lasted for nearly 7 minutes. Using your Earthbound RV in cold weather will not be a problem.

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Interior walls are also framed up with welded aluminum tubing. Interior walls are used as part of the unibody construction and add to the overall strength and rigidity of the structure.

The floor and walls consist of an aluminum-tubing framework. All tubing is double welded on a jig to ensure accuracy and reliability. Rather than use the typical 1.5-pound foam, Earthbound uses a special high-density 2-to-3-pound foam insulation. Nonconductive conduits are then placed into the foam to prevent any electrical problems that can occur when wiring looms degrade overtime. Aluminum skins are bonded to the aluminum tubing and insulation using a specially formulated adhesive to ensure a secure bond. Multiple layers of composite skins and thermal breaks are added to the floor and roof assemblies to provide additional protection from the elements. These assemblies are vacuum bonded and ready to assemble. All of the interior walls also use aluminum tubing and everything is welded together to create a true unibody structure.

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The frames are electrostatically powder coated for superior rust resistance. Cross members are then huck bolted into place.

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All holding tanks are equipped with 12-volt heating elements for cold-weather use. Each tank is coated with a sprayed ceramic-encapsulated insulation equivalent to an R-13 insulation value.

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Interior cabinetry is also made of a composite construction. High-tech finishes are applied for a durable and easy-to-maintain surface.

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Wall assemblies are routed out by hand to allow for the various openings for windows, doors, and slide outs.

Interior

The interior of an Earthbound RV is a real masterpiece. The cabinetry looks like lacquered, marine-grade hardwood. But in reality, it's a high-end composite material. You won't find any particle board or have to worry about wood splitting or delaminating in an Earthbound.

The galley receives the same attention to detail. Price Fister faucets supply a stainless-steel sink. A stainless-steel convection microwave, refrigerator, and Amana cooktop and oven are found here, as well as a Baraldi stainless-steel exhaust fan. Full extension drawer glides and a large slide-out pantry complement the numerous cabinets. The dinette table and countertops are all solid surface and the upholstery is Eco-Leather.

High-end electronics are also used. A central command console places all of the switches and tank-monitoring systems in one handy place. Sony Bravia LCD TVs, a Sony Blu-ray player, and a sound system are placed in each RV. A roof-mounted fixed omni-directional HD TV antenna means you never have to wonder if you cranked the batwing down once you hit the road.

The swing-out windows are all thermo-pane and have "click and stay" struts to hold them out. The windows are very durable and are made of the same material used for police blast shields. As the windows extend, they serve as a built-in awning. Reflective solar shades and bug screens are standard, as well.

A pillow-top, queen-sized mattress rides on an aluminum frame that lifts up to provide access to the cavernous under-bed storage. Gas struts minimize the effort to lift the bed and hold it in position while accessing the storage area.

During our visit, we stood inside a unit fresh off the assembly line and were amazed at what we didn't smell. Typically, it's almost impossible to breath inside a new RV until the glue has had time to cure and vent out. The air inside the Earthbound was clean with no noticeable odors or fumes. The proprietary adhesives and composites used in its construction are non-toxic and environmentally friendly.

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This particular model includes a panoramic window in the front cap.

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The galley features Price Fister faucets, a stainless-steel sink, solid surface countertops, and high-end appliances.

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Earthbound's dinette table collapses down and the U-shaped booth can be made into a comfortable bed for additional sleeping area.

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A pillow-top mattress is featured on the queen bed.

Exterior

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The exterior is a show stopper. The aerodynamic design is accented by attractive aluminum and composite materials. The roof is a seamless full gel-coated cross-reinforced composite structure. By the time the roof radius is applied there are six different layers of sealants. The roof carries a 12-year warranty.

The one-piece fiberglass front and rear caps are very light but rigid. Aluminum insert panels are fastened to the units. One model even offers a large picture window in the front cap. The front cap then receives a Dura-Chip Guard treatment to fend off bugs, rocks, and road grime. A swing-away hatch covers a compartment in the front cap that provides storage space for the three 20-pound propane tanks and a vented battery box. A power tongue jack, complete with LED lighting, is also provided.

The aluminum sidewalls are finished with a urethane automotive clear coat. Fender skirts help keep the sides of your RV clean. A power awning is fitted to the curbside of the RV. All interior and exterior lighting is LED to minimize current draw and maximize battery life when dry camping. Motorhome-style slam latches are provided on each insulated compartment door. A large pass-through storage compartment is fitted with LED lighting and its composite construction means that it too can get hosed out if needed.

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The front cap is coated with a Dura-Chip Guard coating that resists chips and bugs. The front compartment lid lifts up to reveal the propane storage area. An aluminum insert piece is inlaid into the front cap.

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Earthbound's alloy wheels are placed within a composite fender skirt to keep the sides of the RV clean.

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A cavernous pass-through compartment provides plenty of room for storage. LED lighting illuminates this area.

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Tilt-out thermopane windows are complemented with reflective sun shades and screens.

Utilities

In addition to Earthbound's excellent insulation, a 15,000-Btu Dometic air conditioner will help keep you cool on hot summer days. For milder weather a remote-controlled Shur-Flo rain-sensing vent fan will help evacuate hot air through the roof. A 25,000-Btu propane furnace will keep you toasty on those cooler days. A 10-gallon gas/electric DSI water heater is standard, although an on-demand water heater is available.

An outside shower is provided for those cleanup chores, including washing the dog. All of the plumbing is run to a manifold system. This system is typically found in higher-end class-A motorhomes and provides equal pressure to every faucet. It also allows you to shut off individual plumbing lines, which can be helpful if you have a winterized RV and want to only de-winterize a few items for a brief cool-weather trip. The fresh water tank holds 40 gallons while the black and gray tanks hold 30 gallons each. All tanks are fitted with heat strips and are insulated with the high-tech ceramic insulation mentioned earlier.

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All water lines are run from a central manifold system. Each line has unique shutoff valves. Winterizing the RV is an easy task.

Lasting Impressions

Okay, so we know we have a well-constructed RV with plenty of amenities. But what does that mean to an RV owner?

The low center of gravity, combined with lighter weight and aerodynamic design makes for a trailer that tows like no other. Weights range from 4,000 to 5,000 pounds, depending on the floor plan selected. This means that you can tow your Earthbound behind a midsized SUV instead of a heavy-duty pickup. Earthbounds are lighter than similar "light" trailers, and a 1,000-pound weight savings is equivalent to an 8-percent fuel savings.

We caught up with an Earthbound owner after our facility visit and got his candid feedback on his RV. He was impressed with the towability of his Earthbound. While driving up and down the steep mountain grades in British Columbia, Canada, he found that it towed like no RV he had ever had before. Most towable RVs tend to buck a bit, but the Earthbound's low center of gravity and aerodynamic design made it seem like it's not even back there. He joked that the only problem he had was that every time he stopped, people came up to ask him about his RV.

The Earthbound is an RV that is made to last longer and perform better. It can be towed with ease behind lighter vehicles and yield better fuel economy. It will allow you to extend your camping season by handling cooler climates as well as hot. It's made with recyclable materials and adhesives that don't outgas. Earthbound thinks enough of the quality they have put into their product that they are confident enough to offer a 36-month bumper-to-hitch warranty. It truly is an RV designed for today's changing times.

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Source

Earthbound
(765) 677-9090
www.earthboundrv.com

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