Earthbound RV - The Rules Have Changed
Earthbound RV revolutionizes With a Lighter, Environmentally-Friendly Trailer Packed with High-Tech Amenities
Article Date: September, 2012
Article and Photography by Mark Quasius
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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Exterior
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.
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Utilities
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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.
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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.
Source
Earthbound
(765) 677-9090
www.earthboundrv.com
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