1492
Virginia, USA
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Joined: 04/08/2005
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Damon will offer a sneak peak at the new AVANTE Class A MH today at its' annual dealers meeting. The 31' Euro-look AVANTE appears to be among the first next generation fuel efficient class A motorhomes announced by several MH manufacturers. The front-engine AVANTE is built on the Workhorse W-42 16K "step-truck" chassis utilizing GM 6.0L 307HP Vortec engine/GM 4L80-E 4-spd tranny for the gas version, an International Maxxforce 5 200HP/Allison 1000 5-spd on the diesel version. A diesel AVANTE looks posed to compete directly with the smaller Sprinter based Class C MH.
The Damon AVANTE makes its' public debut at this year's 2008 PA RV Show in Hershey, PA on Sept. 10-14. 
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Big Katuna
Deland, FL
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Joined: 12/27/2003
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I wonder how many people will trade in their depreciated $60K, 8 MPG motorhome for a $140K 14 MPG motorhome?
My Kharma ran over my Dogma.
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BurmaShave
Minnesota
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Joined: 09/26/2001
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Really, especially since the Sprinter absed Class C's and B's get near 20 MPG.
A step backward
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WA1RI
FL
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Joined: 09/26/2004
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Step forward, the Sprinter can get 20 which is great, but it is not usually any longer than a 25' coach. The avante being a 30 will give more traditional class C space with a better mpg rating.
It is not just about the MPG.
Bill & Jolene / FL
1997 Southwind 35P
2006 Yamaha 1100 Classic &
1970 Norton Commando 750 in state of recuperation (Almost road ready!!!)
6x12 Enclosd trailer
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texasbaskets
Frisco, TX
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Joined: 10/06/2003
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It believe this is a step forward as well as MH manufacturers bring new products to the market that people will be interested in, not just a bunch of small take offs leading to buyer's remorse.
Coachmen has some projects in the pipeline as well. Wonder where they are on those? 
Michael, Kay, Hans (our Mini-Schnauzer co-pilot) and Prissy (Hans' Malti-Poo co-pilot)
'05 Coachmen SportsCoach SE 372DS a.k.a. "Mana's Cabana"
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bsinmich
Holland, MI
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Joined: 11/18/2000
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From what I have been reading the 20 mpg is a little bit elusive with most of the owners posting less. I saw some that were as low as 14. As with everything a change in driver on any vehicle will give totally different mileage but the 20mpg is apparently a goal to shoot for. I still wait for some kind of diesel-electric hybrid like the locomotives. There is room for some improvement and it just takes some experimentation to do it.
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire, Workhorse W22, & 2002 PT Cruiser w/Remco lube pump, Falcon 5250, & US Gear Unified Tow Brake
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Daveinet
il
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Joined: 10/29/2003
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 Ok, we are going back to building motorhomes on a bread truck chassis. And this is supposed to be innovative?
Major screw up on the part of Damon. If one wants to be innovative, how about building on a L72 chassis. Since it has a 19K GVWR, it is much more suited to motorhome design. It also has full computerized air ride suspension.
So typical of the RV industry. Regressive rather than progressive. Someone explain to me why so many companies when things get tight always cut back, go back, regress, none of which solves anything.
Dave
FMCA F298817
'83 Revcon Prince 31' FWD
502 w/Thorley's & Magnaflows,
Howell/Edelbrock MPFI, Koni FSD,
Class A built for gear heads 
My Revcon Website
Revconeers Forum
XP activation frustration
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tatest
Oklahoma
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Joined: 05/14/2005
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Wasn't all that long ago that the greater volume of A's were 24' to 30', on 12K to 14K GVWR step van chassis, with engines in the 200 HP range. This would be a partial step back to that era.
Now if they get rid of the basement storage, lower the whole coach to 9' maximum height, and cut the width back to 7 to 7 1/2 feet, we could pick up another 3-5 mpg based on reduced wind drag.
I don't know whether it is a step forward (I'm all for smaller motorhomes) or backward (Americans stopped buying small motorhomes in the '90s), it shows at least a willingness to sample a long-neglected market.
Tom Test
Itasca Spirit 29B
2001 Ranger Edge
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gonesouth
St. Catherine, Florida
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Joined: 02/16/2005
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Fear, Dave
fulltime 5 months a year
FMCA 368297
1990 Beaver Marquis 40'
Gillig MHA 3208T chassis, 300 HP Cat 3208, Allison MT647
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KOG
Winterville GA
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Joined: 01/31/2001
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If it weighs over 10,000lbs it won't get 14mpg. Maybe 10 from what I see in the description above. And there's no web information on this thing yet.
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