by Don Magary, Publisher

It's a motorhome when you want to go camping or traveling and a family van or cargo van the rest of the time. It's called Escape Pod and this innovative modular, multi-use motorhome is the brain child of California inventor Tom Allen.

A few years ago when RV News interviewed Fleetwood RV founder John Crean, creator of many industry innovations including the Bounder motorhome, he said that most of the innovations in the RV industry then were being created by smaller, entreprenural manufacturers, not necessarily large companies like Fleetwood. He noted specifically the example of the slideout, the creation of Mahlon Miller at Newmar Corporation.

That inspired RV News to keep an eye out for new ideas coming from small companies and we believe that Escape Pod RV fits Crean's description.

The new patented modular RV is designed to fit into all Mercedes/Dodge Sprinter van(s) series here in the U.S. and into the Fiat Ducato and Nissan Interstar van(s) series sold throughout Europe and the Southern hemisphere.

The patented RV is unique, because no longer do you have to purchase a traditional Class B or C motorhome use it for 2 or 3 months, and then store it and pay storage fees.

Allen told RV News, "With our patented product you simply winch the self contained unit from its specialty designed trailer into the associated van, utilize the existing vehicle tie down system to secure the unit, and go RV-ing. When finished, the operator winches the unit from the van back on to the trailer provided (a 10 minute operation), and then stores the unit in their garage - thus no storage fees and the owner/operator of the van keeps the van as a multi-use vehicle.

Unit shown with equipment upgrades including: all stainless steel cooking components, Cheerywood interior, and granite counter tops.

Currently, there are total of six (6) different floor plan/cabin layouts available, and installed pricing with completely self contained unit, vent system, grey water tank installed and associated Class II trailer starts at a MSRP of: $35,410.00 to $49,340.00 depending on floor plan size and cabin fixturing selected.

Allen said, "We also will build out a traditional van conversion interior,built to the specific customer specifications. Our van conversion cost is the same price range as our modular RV.

Started by business partners Allen, inventor and master fabricator, and Alex W. Wallace, attorney specializing in patent law, Escape Pod International is a coach building company with production facility located in Aptos California- near Santa Cruz California, and with a second production facility operating in Porto Alegre, Brazil to serve the: South American, European, and southern hemisphere markets.

Dealer enquires are welcome, we are very interested in establishing a U.S. national dealer network.

For additional information visit www.escapepodrv.com.