Fleetwood RV’s American Coach Luxury Motor Home Division Introduces the New Liberty Chassis

Riverside, Calif., July 7, 2003 -- The American Coach division of Fleetwood RV has again taken luxury coach design and engineering to the next level with the introduction of the new Liberty Chassis. The new chassis will make its debut on all of the new 2004 American Coach products. Employing bridge-type construction, the Liberty Chassis provides the torsional strength needed to accommodate the weight and wall penetrations required for the two, three and four slide-out room models being offered in the 2004 American Coach luxury motor homes.

Designed with the full-time luxury motorcoach enthusiast in mind, the Liberty Chassis yields up to 125 cubic-feet of exterior cargo storage space. The fully insulated aluminum exterior bay doors feature all-new two-position pneumatic struts that allow the doors to be fully or partially articulated to accommodate the slide-outs in both the extended or retracted positions. The addition of a front axle with a higher GAWR means the GVWR on the 42’ tag axle model has also increased.

New for 2004, the industry-leading Liberty Chassis is available with state-of-the-art active-ride control. Using laser devices (one at each corner of the coach) that sense road irregularities at a rate of up to 400 times per second, this computer-managed hydraulic actuator ride adjustment system takes coach control and comfort-in-ride to a new plateau. Acting in concert with the four-large air springs that make up the air ride suspension on all 38’ and 40’ coaches and the six-air springs that accommodate all 42’ tag axle units, the active-ride hydraulic actuators intercept and prevent road-generated trauma from reaching those inside. Shock absorbers typically have a response range of up to 300 pounds. Each hydraulic actuator has a real-time adjustment capability of between 300 and 2700 pounds. The Liberty Chassis also includes independent front suspension as standard equipment.



Available with three different Cummins turbo-charged diesel engines (370 HP ISL, 400 HP ISL and the 500 HP ISM) that develop 1200 or 1550 ft-lbs torque and the Allison MH4000 6-speed automatic World Transmission, the Liberty Chassis is the foundation for all 2004 American Tradition and American Eagle luxury motor homes. Offered in 38’, 40’ and 42’ lengths (the 42’ models include a tag axle), the Liberty Chassis is capable (depending upon engine size) of towing either 12,000 pounds or 15,000 pounds. With this engine/transmission combination the Liberty Chassis has the prowess necessary to tow most sizes of trailers, cars, toys or boats to a favorite destination.

With full fuel and holding tanks (100 gallons and 150 gallons, respectively), the net cargo carrying capacity (passengers and cargo) on the 42’ tag axle model ranges up to an amazing 6,000 pounds. To preempt corrosion over the entire life of the Liberty Chassis, the same electro-coating process that is applied to the military spec Hummer is applied to the Liberty Chassis and at the same facility that is used to electro-coat the Hummer.

Welded tubular steel members create the bridge portion of the chassis, while a process called huck-bolting is used to attach the bridge to the rear rails that hold the engine/transmission/axle/ suspension and to the front rails where the axle/suspension/ steering gear are attached. Huck-bolting is the process used to build railroad cars, ships and long-haul trucks. These rugged mechanical fasteners protect the integrity of this chassis from being affected by low frequency vibrations (the enemy of every coach). Once installed, only cutting torches or hacksaws are capable of violating the integrity of the huck-bolt.

Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:FLE), is the nation’s leader in recreational vehicle sales and a leading producer and retailer of manufactured housing. Fleetwood’s recreational vehicle line includes motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, truck campers and folding trailers. Fleetwood RV products are distributed through a nationwide network of more than 1,200 dealers. For more information on Fleetwood Enterprises, visit our Website at www.fleetwood.com or call 1-800-322-8216.
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