Glacier 2500

The term “sports car” can mean different things to different people. In the classic sense,
a sports car is a small two-seater that is designed from the outset to thrill its occupants
with better-than-average performance. And while a Class C motorhome could certainly never
be mistaken for a sports car, Chinook’s claim that it is “the sports car of motorhomes” is
well founded. The company is known for high-quality, lightweight Class C coaches that
handily outperform the average motorhome — and the new Glacier 2500 is the latest in its
line. The Glacier 2500 is a 25-foot coach built on the Ford E-450 chassis with a standard
6.8-liter V-10 gas engine or optional 7.3-liter Power Stroke diesel. Two floorplans are
available: Club Lounge and Dinette. The Club Lounge floorplan features two curbside barrel
chairs flanking a small table. The Dinette floorplan features (you guessed it) a
four-person dinette. A streetside slideout houses a 76×56-inch sofa bed, aft of which is a
wardrobe and a bathroom with a separate fiberglass shower, a toilet and a vanity with a
sink. Located directly across from the bathroom are a 6-cubic-foot refrigerator and a
two-burner propane stove; a double-bowl stainless-steel kitchen sink is located in a
counter at the rear of the coach. “The Glacier uses the most technologically advanced
fiberglass-shell technology in the industry,” proclaims Chinook’s vice president, Paul
Comiskey. “Unless you’ve flown for NASA, you’ve never seen anything like this.” The
one-piece shell uses structural foam/fiberglass sandwich construction that is vacuum-molded
and mated to the floor, which is made of a material called Pro Balsa. “The Pro Balsa
material is 2-1/2 times stronger than woven plywood, yet it is only 60 percent of the
weight by volume,” says Comiskey. “Once you gelcoat it into the shell, you’re talking about
the structural integrity of a tank.” Another feature Chinook is proud of is the slideout,
which was developed in conjunction with HWH Corporation. In addition to seamless
construction, the slideout features hydraulic operation and an air-bladder seal. The
air-bladder seal eliminates the need for a traditional flange-and-rubber seal around the
room, which creates a smooth, clean automotive-fit appearance. These mechanisms, as well as
the automated leveling system, are controlled by a dedicated HWH Controlled Area Network
(CAN) for improved reliability. The Glacier is available with an optional LE package, which
includes such items as a 19-inch color television with integrated VCR, a rear AM/FM
compact-disc stereo with speakers, a microwave oven, a coffeemaker, a Fan-Tastic powered
roof vent with thermostat/rain sensor, a black-tank flush kit and a 5,000-pound-capacity
hitch receiver. Stand-alone options include a 4.0-kW AC generator (or a 3.6-kW LP-gas model
with the diesel engine), 13,500-BTU roof air with heat pump, an awning, a DVD player and
heated holding tanks. The Glacier 2500 holds 55 gallons of fuel, 40 gallons of fresh water,
35 gallons of gray water, 20 gallons of black water, 19 gallons of LP-gas and 6 gallons of
hot water. The electrical system features two heavy-duty deep-cycle batteries on a slideout
tray and a 45-amp converter. Base manufacturer’s suggested retail price starts around
$115,000. Chinook RV, a Division of Trail Wagons Inc., (800) 552-8886; www.chinookrv.com