A Futuristic Looking Motorhome Created From “Aircraft Quality” 2024-T3 Aluminum That Comes With Many Advantages
All eyes are on the Lithium+ Bowlus Road Chief as it cruises down Route 95, the light from the setting sun bouncing off of its futuristic curved aluminum frame as it makes its way to Reno, desert sand kicking up behind it. Surrounded by the stark desert, the modern science fiction looks of the Bowlus are even more apparent. There aren't any other trailers like it.
Bowlus Road Chief founder Geneva Long was pleasantly surprised by an email she received from one of his customers: "The Lithium+ made it back to Reno with range to spare at each charge stop. We had more people coming up and asking about the trailer than the Model X! It is pretty cool to be able to plug into a standard 120V wall outlet and get electric heat, electric hot water, A/C, or use the microwave…or run the A/C and the microwave on battery power [at the same time!]”
The Road Chief, Bowlus’ newest towable entry, is the same width as the Model X [78.7 inches wide], so unlike most travel trailers it has no trouble squeezing into Tesla's pull-through Supercharger stations plus there is still full visibility in the outside mirrors. The Road Chief's light weight and low center of gravity makes it easy to pass trucks and glide around corners.
With rave reviews from Forbes and The Wall Street Journal among others, the Road Chief Lithium+ is taking over the RV market. And while Long states that her favorite thing about the Road Chief is “the smiles that cross people's faces when they imagine where their Road Chief can take them”, there are many, many reasons – from design to technology – that make it easy to see why the Road Chief has become such a huge success
The Road Chief is created from “aircraft quality” 2024-T3 aluminum along with 5,000 “aircraft grade” rivets, creating an ultra-strong monocoque lightweight structure akin to an airplane wing or fuselage [as reported by Forbes]. The amazing quality is second-to-none but it's the looks – a blend of futuristic and retro science fiction elements – that stand out.
Inspired by Hawley Bowlus and his original Road Chief, Long said the man served as a perfect inspiration because he created the first aluminum travel trailer, which was also the most lightweight and aerodynamic model at the time as well.
“In fact,” notes Long, “no other manufacturer has bettered the design in over 80 years. They’ve tried, so we’re proud to bring back the brand and have it recognized as the most advanced travel trailer in the world.”
The Road Chief is all about “design DNA,” said Long. “In true car design, design DNA is consider sacred, but in the RV industry, at best, it rarely exists and, at worst, isn’t respected.” Aerodynamic, lightweight and built to last, the Road Chief line “truly has a philosophical approach to consumers that 'makes sense.' The Lithium+ Edition is the first lithium powered travel trailer, along with over 25 design and engineering points that speak to a specific consumer that is looking to be off grid while online. So our approach is really led by our design DNA and our consumer research.”
And the Road Chief Lithium+ isn't the only thing unique about the company. Long is one of the few – if any – millennials and women to own an RV company. That, alone, is enough to make Long strive to succeed. But she's always had a great passion for startups.
Long graduated from Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania as well as the International University of Monaco with a Master of Finance: “I grew up with entrepreneur parents, a passion for camping and a love of design and engineering. My family owns a 1935 Bowlus Road Chief that I always was updating with all the modern conveniences in my mind.”
The Bowlus Road Chief delivered their first unit in 2014. And this month, continues Long, they are preparing to enter into their fourth year of production. There are many reasons the company has succeeded, but one of the reasons for success, believes Long, is their approach to customer service, marketing and research: “I think at Bowlus Road Chief we are addressing the consumer differently, as a digital “consumer-facing” manufacturer. We are learning an incredible amount about our buyers and how they use our products, so in that way, we’re also leading the industry too, which is exciting. How we bundled the technology was something that really spoke to the consumer we targeted and we’re proud our message was one that connected with them so well.”
For Long, the Bowlus Road Chief and its fleet are not only a passion of hers business-wise, but lifestyle-wise as well. Last month, Long visited nine national parks. “I think we are all seeking special moments where we can connect with people and things we love,” she explains. “And camping is a great way to do it.”
And what better way to go camping than in one of the most desired RV's on the market right now? With a beloved design, durability and full of the most modern conveniences imaginable (charging stations, heated floors, outdoor showers), the Bowlus Road Chief is a no-brainer for people looking for a unique and exciting way to explore the world.
Olivia Richman
A graduate of East Connecticut State University in Journalism, Olivia has written for Stonebridge Press & Antiques Marketplace among others. She enjoys writing, running and video games.
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Bowlus Road Chief, inspired by timeless American style, and is expertly crafted from honest materials for a lifetime of adventures.