Over the relatively short course of its corporate life, Furrion has made great strides in bringing the contents of the average RV into the 21st century.
The company has made a name for itself designing high-end audiovisual electronics, video surveillance cameras, kitchen appliances and energy equipment.
But, all along, the company did more than just import these goods. Designers and engineers hired by Furrion were working not only to come up with the next big idea, but also working on ways to integrate their technology into the vehicles that were their target market.
This not only included RVs, but also yachts, hotels and homes.
Early examples of what is possible are regularly on display at Furrion’s Innovation Center & Institute of Technology in Elkhart, Ind., as well as at shows such as the RVIA National Trade Show in Louisville, Ky. Furrion has developed a prototype fifth wheel and Class A motorhome as well as a semi-truck affectionately known as Hercules to show off its products.
Initially, the prototype vehicles just showed off walls full of products, but now the interiors have been redesigned to showcase what is possible in the RV of the near future.
And Furrion is anxious to collaborate with other manufacturers to bring that hip future to the consumers sooner rather than later.
“Having a strong foothold in the RV manufacturing capital of the world puts together a lot of resources so we can collaborate with manufacturers on design,” says Matt Fidler, Furrion’s co-founder and chief marketing officer. “It puts us in a position to engage other people and help them create designs that integrate technology and electronic products in the vehicles.”
Getting Their Attention
The power of Furrion’s concept vehicles can’t be overstated.
Even in the middle of a busy trade show floor, when the fifth wheel model first appeared in Louisville, it made people stop and stare. An only part of that was due to the hot model sitting in an inflatable hot tub on the back deck of the vehicle.
Then at 2016’s show, Furrion’s motorhome, complete with a helicopter landing pad and hot tub, caught even more attention.
Now, the Hercules truck, built to tow the fifth wheel across the country, is gaining even more attention. Fidler says the company was approached by the crews that make the “Transformers” movies to possibly include the truck in an upcoming movie.
To read the rest of this story, check out the January ’18 issue of RV PRO.
