Overwhelming public response to Lippert Components concept motorhome Concept motorhome

Overwhelming public response to Lippert Components concept motorhome Concept motorhome shows new design possibilities and the comprehensive Lippert Components product range now available to European OEMs. New products include a Sky View retractable sunroof and sliding glass doors used in luxury super yachts, from a recent acquisition by Lippert in the marine sector. Other Lippert products showcased in the concept motorhome include: three slide-outs (micro, in-wall and Smart Room slide-outs), bed tilt, lift and slide mechanism with comfort mattress, one-touch Euro electric levelling system, entry door and step, TV lifting bracket (electric), side locker door, pet tent (‘dog hatch’). LCI Industries (NYSE: LCII), which, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Lippert Components Inc., supplies a broad array of engineered products for the leading original equipment manufacturers of leisure and mobile transportation and adjacent industries, and the related aftermarkets of those industries, presented a concept motorhome at the recent Motorhome and Caravan Show at Birmingham’s NEC (UK) and at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf (DE). The motorhome demonstrates new design possibilities using the comprehensive range of products LCI now offers European manufacturers, and received extremely positive public feedback.

One of the concept motorhome’s most obvious design features are its slide-outs, which are some of LCI’s most successful products for RVs in USA. The concept motorhome has three slideouts of varying sizes (an in-wall, micro-slide and Smart Room), to show they have a variety of uses, such as for a washroom, seating area and storage. These lightweight and weather-proof slide-outs create an abundance of extra living space and new interior layout designs; with increasing pressure for lighter leisure vehicles to tow or drive, these slide-outs show that extra space can be created without needing a larger, heavier caravan or motorhome. Two other products fitted to the motorhome that attracted a lot of positive feedback were the Sky View retractable sunroof and the pneumatically-sealed, sliding glass doors. The LCI Group owns one of the leading suppliers of glass roofs and sliding doors to the marine industry, and as these products are designed to be fully waterproof and used in any sea conditions, all-year round, they can easily be specified to be fitted to European caravans and motorhomes. The electrically retractable Sky View glass roof in the concept motorhome measured 2.0 x 1.70 metres. This creates a stunning interior feature letting in lots of natural light to brighten up any day, and create a feeling of space. The roof’s glass is slightly curved to help disperse any water on it, and like the sliding door, can be fitted with a blind or with reflective or tinted glass for privacy, or to keep the interior cool. The electric sliding doors also let in a lot more light, and give great views, compared to one of LCI’s conventional doors. They also provide easier access, especially for wheelchair users, and have a safety cut-out to prevent anything getting trapped while it’s closing.

The Sky View roof and sliding doors can be designed to any size for any leisure or commercial vehicle. They have laminated glass as standard, so are easy to repair, but can be adapted to use double-glazed plastic glazing, if required. LCI offers manufacturers full support from design to installation. Other LCI products fitted to the motorhome include side locker doors, an entrance door and step, plus its latest, one-touch Auto-Electric levelling system. It also has the novel feature, not yet in production, of an opening hatch called a ‘pet tent’ (or ‘dog hatch’), designed to allow a dog, or other pet, to have somewhere to rest while observing the outside world. Inside, there is a double bed with LCI’s comfort mattress and electrically retractable ‘Happijac® Bedslide’. There is also a TV mounting point and electric sliding system to store it out of sight when not being used. “LCI believes in making a holiday in a caravan or motorhome as comfortable and convenient as possible, so we have been really pleased to see such positive reactions and interest in the features in our concept motorhome, particularly the sky roof and sliding doors,” said Larry Revelino, LCI Director of International Sales Development - “We now have a complete range of proven, high quality products to supply to European manufacturers, and have already had some serious enquiries, so we hope to see some of the concept motorhome’s features available to consumers soon,” continued Larry Revelino.