Category: Uncategorized

RVTraderOnline.com, the Web site of RV Trader magazine and a division of Dominion Enterprises, now offers dealer advertisers the option to directly publish their online classified listings in participating RV Trader magazines throughout the country.

Adding print advertising is just a few clicks away. RV dealers simply log on to their RV Trader Inventory Management Tool, provided free of charge to all RVTraderOnline.com dealer advertisers, and click on the Add Magazines tab.

After selecting which RVs from their online inventory they wish to publish in RV Trader magazine, they select the magazines they wish to publish in by market. Dealers also have options to advertise all their inventory in print or advertise in all RV Trader magazines with just one click.

“We are giving dealers a turnkey option to increase their reach and market penetration with media other than the Internet,” explained Tim Custer, RV Trader general manager. “Our research shows that print advertising is a great way to supplement online advertising. On average, dealers who advertise in our print magazines and on RVTraderOnline.com receive 57 percent more leads than dealers who advertise online only.”

Source: RV Trader Online

The RVIA reports that the RV industry’s shipments are projected to total approximately 169,500 units in 2010 — a 24 percent increase from the 136,500 predicted for 2009.

Photo Credit: RVIA

According to a new forecast by RV industry analyst Dr. Richard Curtin, released at Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) Annual Membership Meeting on June 9.

Seasonally adjusted shipments reached their low point in the first quarter of 2009, and gains are expected over the next two years as the negative financial factors that caused the steep drop in RV sales will slowly give way to improved conditions in the market.

Dr. Richard Curtin, director of consumer surveys at the University of Michigan, who produces the closely-watched monthly Index of Consumer Sentiment, briefed RVIA members on his analysis of the industry’s future at RVIA’s annual Committee Week, held June 8-11 in Washington, DC.

Source: RVIA

Photo Credit: Sylvan Sport

National Geographic Adventure named SylvanSport’s “GO Mobile Adventure Gear,” the “Best of Adventure Gear 2008,” calling this multi-mode trailer “the coolest camper ever.”

According to SylvanSport, this precision-engineered “backpack on wheels” enables you to haul all your gear and indulge in every adventure without compromising what gets left behind.

Photo Credit: Sylvan Sport

‘GO’ easily morphs from a low-profile high-capacity trailer, to a rugged hefty-toy-hauler, to a comfortable camper that can be pulled behind almost any vehicle. This super spacious camper, with its Hyper-Engineered aluminum frame, weighs only 700 lbs. and can haul up to 800 lbs. of gear.

Featuring 24 cubic feet of waterproof gear storage (9 cubic feet lockable), ‘GO’ cruises with kayaks and canoes stowed securely, plus racking systems for bikes, boards and other fun gear.

Photo Credit: Sylvan Sport

With its huge capacity, ‘GO’ frees up space inside and on the roof of your tow vehicle. Its enhanced torsion suspension provides smooth load control to help protect your stuff during the journey.

Photo Credit: Sylvan Sport

‘GO’ easily deploys its Kelty tenting system with all components already on-board—no extra tools, no PhD in physics required. And you choose from multiple sleeping configurations—all of which feature spaciousness and all-weather protection.

Source: Sylvan Sport

A story from KIDK CBS reports Idaho RV dealers are experiencing more business as the summer season gets stared.

According to the story, customers are determined to get outdoors with their RV rather than stay home. The urge to make memories and have fun in the warm weather is stronger than economic worries.

Big discounts from RV manufacturers are also drawing customers to RV lots. Current RV owners are keeping maintenance departments busy.

Source: KIDK.com

Navistar International Corporation has announced that an affiliate has completed the purchase of certain assets of the recreational vehicle (RV) manufacturing business of Monaco Coach Corporation.

Photo Credit: Navistar

“Navistar’s entry into the RV business through the purchase of certain Monaco Coach assets fits our strategy of leveraging our assets to expand our diesel business, serve the end customer through robust parts and service, and will complement our Workhorse chassis business,” said Jack Allen, president of Navistar’s North American truck group. “The Monaco brand is a market leader with a strong reputation and Navistar is pleased to add it to our portfolio of leading brands and businesses.”

The new company, named Monaco RV LLC, will be a wholly-owned affiliate of Navistar Inc., Navistar’s principal operating company, and headquartered in Coburg, Oregon.

“Providing the RV market with the right vehicles at the right time will be Monaco RV’s first order of business,” added Allen. “Our management teams will spend these first few weeks ramping up the business at a pace commensurate with demand.”

Source: Navistar

The Houston Chronicle features a story on Larry Troutt, an RV dealer in Houston, Texas and how his dealership is weathering a tough economy for RV sales.

According to the Houston Chronicle story, Troutt has dealt with rough economic times in the early 1980s at his father’s travel trailer business.

Troutt’s RV dealership, Topper’s Camping Center, specializes in lightweight RVs. Lighter RVs have grown in popularity thanks to their fuel efficiency. Topper’s Camping Center achieved the highest volume in light-weight camper trailer sales out of 75 dealers in the state of Texas last year.

The Internet plays a key role in bringing customers to Topper’s Camping Center’s rural location. Customers use the Internet to find the RV they want before they arrive.

Source: The Houston Chronicle

Nationally-recognized Green RVer Brian Brawdy will be in Ann Arbor, Michigan, June 12 to tour Thetford Corporation’s world headquarters and manufacturing facilities.

He will then join Thetford officials at the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) convention in Grand Rapids, June 13-16, to promote both the state of Michigan and a green RV lifestyle to hunters and fisherman.

Brawdy is known as an outdoor adventure expert and environmental pioneer. He has appeared on CNN, Fox News, Good Morning America, The CBS Early Show, The New York Times, ABC, CBS, NBC, WGN, Fox, The CW and other media outlets across North America.

Thetford Corporation has teamed up with Brawdy for a new product introduction initiative. Committed to developing high-quality green products, Thetford recently introduced a new line of Design for the Environment (DfE)–recognized RV care products.

Source: Brian Bawdy and Thetford

Thetford Corporation has introduced a new line of Design for the Environment (DfE)–recognized RV cleaning products. According to Thetford, this eco-friendly line meets the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) DfE program’s rigorous criteria without sacrificing performance.

Safer for humans and the environment, the five-product line includes UltraFoam Black Streak Remover, UltraFoam Awning Cleaner, Wash & Wax, Mildew Stain Remover and Hard Water Spot Remover.

Non-toxic and biodegradable, it’s packaged in bottles made out of recyclable plastic that contain 25% post-consumer recycled content. “Since RV cleaners are used outdoors, they must meet even stricter requirements than household products,” said Mary Burrows, Thetford’s manager of chemical development. “We will continue working with the EPA to produce more environmentally-responsible products in the future.”

Source: Thetford

Due to the rough economy, finding credit for big purchases is a challenge for both consumers and businesses.

A recent story on Bankrate.com reports that RVers could have an easier time finding the financing they need, a hopeful sign for a recovery in RV sales.

According to the story, The American Bankers Association has released a report saying RVers are considered very trustworthy when given access to credit lending. Because of their reliability, RVers are preferred above all credit seekers.

Better access to credit should help RV buyers and dealers, along with beneficial tax provisions in the recent economic stimulus package.

Source: Bankrate.com

The New York Times feature a profile of the 2009 Winnebago View. Winnebago describes the 2009 View as offering both power and economy.

According to the Winnebago hompage, the foundation of the 2009 Winnebago View is the popular Dodge Sprinter chassis that provides fuel efficiency, drivability and maneuverability. The View features an 11,030-lb. gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) Dodge Sprinter chassis with a fuel efficient 3.0L V6 Mercedes Benz diesel engine.

The View provides an excellent turning radius (23.5 feet), independent front suspension, ABS four wheel disc brakes and five-speed tip shift automatic transmission that’s designed to be one of the smoothest, most reliable transmissions on the market. In 2009, the trailer hitch rating increased from 3500/350 lbs. to 5000/500 lbs. so you can tow a boat, jet skis or ATV with ease.

Both floorplans can be enhanced in 2009 to include the optional swivel cab seats for additional seating space. A 19-inch LCD TV is standard on both the 24H and 24J. Both the 24H and 24J also feature our exclusive BenchMark Full Comfort Dinette. The BenchMark dinette features innerspring seats that flip up for easy access to storage, as well as folds down for additional sleeping space.

The exterior also accommodates the optional generator. A 3,200 watt Cummins Onan MicroQuiet diesel generator is available or an optional 3,600 Cummins Onan MicroQuiet LP generator.

Source: The New York Times and Winnebago

RESOURCES

• The 2009 Winnebago View on RV Trader Online 
• The 2009 Winnebago View on The Winnebago Home Page
• The Winnebago Home Page
• The New York Times