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An RV can be a cozy shelter from rainy weather during a vacation, but what should you do if the weather becomes dangerous?

What can RVers do to protect themselves against tornadoes and severe storms?

Examiner.com features a story on protecting your RV and family from dangerous weather.

According to the story, RVers should know where to find shelter if the weather gets too rough. The story also features tips on purchasing a weather radio and what to do if you get caught in a severe storm.

Source: Examiner.com

WSBT 22 reports that more travelers are renting RVs for Summer vacations, a optimistic sign for the future of the RV industry.

According to the story, RV rentals are up over the last few weeks along with more traffic on RV dealer lots. Industry experts are encouraged by increasing interest in RVing, hopefully leading to more signs of recovery throughout 2009.

A study commissioned by the RVIA found that RV vacations were 27% – 61%less expensive that vacations requiring airfare and hotel accommodations.

Here is video from the story.

Source: WSBT 22

In celebration of their 125th Anniversary, Victorinox Swiss Army has announced a partnership with Airstream to produce the first “Victorinox Special Edition Airstream” travel trailer.

These two iconic brands have created a masterfully engineered and aesthetically striking 19-foot trailer, production of which will be limited to 125 units and which embodies their shared qualities and philosophies: precision, functionality, reliability and a classically elegant design.

Whether you are a traveler embarking on a cross-country road trip, or an avid collector with an affinity for superior design, the “Victorinox Special Edition Airstream” travel trailer will inspire the adventurer within.

“From the onset of this collaboration I have been struck by how fortunate I am as a designer to have such a masterfully designed and precisely engineered pallet from which to work. Because of this, tapping into my creativity and maintaining my inspiration was easy. When you enter into the trailer, the design cohesion between the two brands is both intuitive and natural – it’s comfortable and truly defines a luxe camping experience,” said Scott Swaebe, Director of Visual Merchandising for Victorinox Swiss Army.

Like the legendary Swiss Army Knife, the details of the trailer are precise, clean and sure to last a lifetime. From the solid surface countertops, to the cutting-edge cabinets and hardware, to the luxurious custom bedding ensemble with embroidered wool blanket, all housed within the iconic Airstream aluminum shell. And to ensure consumers are fully equipped, a collection of Victorinox Swiss Army timepieces, kitchen cutlery, Swiss Army Knives and accessories are included to enhance any camping adventure.

“It’s rare to find another brand that so closely represents the Airstream values of outdoor adventure in style,” said Bob Wheeler, CEO of Airstream. “Victorinox is clearly such a company and we were thrilled to collaborate on this very special travel trailer. Whether it’s a Swiss Army knife or an Airstream, it’s something you buy to last a lifetime.”

Only 125 very fortunate adventurers will have the opportunity to purchase one of these numbered Special Edition units available beginning June 15, 2009. The commemorative, serialized plaque bearing the famous cross and shield emblem is sure to delight Airstream and Victorinox Swiss Army collectors alike.

Source: Airstream

The Muskegon Chronicle reports on a new upscale RV park opening in Muskegon, Michigan.

The Duck Creek RV Resort is located in Muskegon across from the entrance to Michigan’s Adventure Amusement Park.

According to The Muskegon Chronicle, the new resort will feature 157 sites with paved pads for RVs and full hookups for utilities.

Other amenities include a heated, duck-shaped pool, clubhouse with a game room, laundry facilities, large playground, a camp store, and shower facilities.

Source: The Muskegon Chronicle and The Duck Creek RV Resort

Messy, leaky hoses, spills and odors are no longer part of emptying a holding tank. Making the unpleasant task more sanitary and uncomplicated, Thetford Corporation offers Sani-Con, a holding tank emptying system with a macerating pump. Once connected to a RV’s dump valve and 20-amp power source, this system makes the process extremely simple, even easier than pumping gas.

Providing more power, flexibility and convenience than any other product on the market, Sani-Con can pump holding tank waste as far as 150′ away and 20′ uphill. Its heavy-duty, space-saving hose is 21′ long and retracts to just 7′. Due to its high-performing motor, Sani-Con needs a hose that is only 1″ in diameter.

A convenient nozzle has a stairstepped and threaded design to fit and lock into virtually any sewer receptacle, eliminating the need for adapters. The nozzle’s easy-grip handle helps prevent the hose from dropping into the soiled area near the dump port, further keeping the entire operation sanitary. Its threaded cap keeps the user and RV compartment clean during transport and storage.

Source and Photo Credit: Thetford

The 21st Annual Manufacturers’ RV Show is scheduled for May 15 – 25th 2009 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California.

According to GoodTimes Promotions, Mike Nohr, manager of the show, is anything but worried about the outcome of this year’s mid-May event.

A combination of dealers offering steep discounts, buyers eager to take advantage of the deals and the long-term cost savings of an RV vacation has created an environment Nohr believes will prove to be a boon for his show. “We’re hearing about a lot of people who are looking to the future,” Nohr said. “They want to make a modest investment on an RV now so they can recoup those costs in the coming years.”

A survey conducted by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association found that 45 percent of RV owners are considering purchasing another RV this year because they appreciate the value they get compared to the more traditional vacations. “Who knows where the economy is going. I’ve heard it’s supposed to get better soon, but I’m not going to bet my vacations on it,” said Scotts Valley resident Anthony Leimas, who plans on attending the May show to shop for a toy hauler. “With an RV, I know we’ll always be able to afford to go on a nice vacation — recession or not.”

Consumers can expect to choose from hundreds of new and used models at the show — which runs at the Alameda County Fairgrounds from May 15-25. The event drew more than 20,000 people last year. “This year, I expect to see more serious buyers and less looky-loos,” Nohr said. “Consumers know they won’t see these kind of prices probably ever again in their lifetime.”

Source:GoodTimes Promotions Photo Credit: RVIA

Livin’ Lite Recreational Vehicles has come up with an RV that pushes the idea of a “green RV” to a new level. According to Livin’ Lite, their new 2010 line of Camp Lite trailers aren’t just gas efficient (weighing in at a miniscule 1,500 lbs), the RV itself is 98% recyclable.

To make such a recyclable RV, Livin’ Lite has made the Camp Lite entirely out of aluminum and composites.

That means an aluminum frame; aluminum rims; aluminum flooring; aluminum sidewalls with aluminum interior and exterior skin; aluminum roof trusses laminated with aluminum interior and exterior skin; aluminum cabinetry with aluminum framing, and more.

Inside the Camp Lite is a 12’ bunkhouse floorplan with a dinette that converts to a bed, allowing it to sleep four comfortably, with an interior height of 6’-5”, a full compliment of base and overhead cabinets – made of all aluminum, and loads of storage space.

Other features include European-style, lightweight composite windows; fully laminated construction for extra strength; LED exterior lights; sleek diamond-plate accents – and which comes in multiple exterior colors – including camouflage for outdoorsman.

Source: Livin’ Lite Recreational Vehicles

EverGreen Recreational Vehicles recently annouced the first of its Ever-Lite travel trailers was delivered to Summit RV of Ashland.

Photo Courtesy of Evergreen RVAccording to President of EverGreen, Doug Lantz and the company’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Kevin Slater, traveled to Summit RV from their Middlebury, Indiana manufacturing headquarters, to present a special award signifying the first true eco-friendly recreational vehicle in the field on April 16, 2009.

A bright spot in the RV manufacturing world, the start up EverGreen Recreation Vehicles LLC is just 90 days old and has already revolutionized the industry with innovative, eco-friendly Ever-Lite travel trailers. The trailers are the first all composite-construction, lightweight, formaldehyde-free, recyclable travel trailers ever produced. Summit RV received the first EverGreen Ever-Lite travel trailer one week ago.

Photo Courtesy of Evergreen RVPresident of Summit RV, James Bradley, is excited about the new EverGreen environmentally friendly product line. “We’re really excited about Ever-Lite campers for several reasons. We like the idea of selling green and taking care of the environment. We’re also excited that the trailer is so lightweight it can be towed by a variety of vehicles. The concept of doing away with wood and eliminating any concerns of rot or decay and a longer lasting, more durable trailer is another benefit that drew us to this product,” said Bradley.

“Although we’re out on the cutting edge of green, sustainable innovation with our new Ever-Lite travel trailers, we’re still servicing our dealer partners with a traditional twist. We are so pleased that Summit RV, James Bradley and his team have taken on our Ever-Lite product line that we came down to mark this historic event for our company in person. These are exciting times. We’re proud to have Summit RV as a partner as we retool our industry with greener, lighter weight, more fuel-efficient products,” concluded Lantz.

Source: EverGreen Recreational Vehicles and RV Trade Digest

If you use a 2003 to 2007 Dodge truck with the Cummins 5.9L engine to tow your RV, the Wilson Thrasher intake manifold is designed for you.

According to Wilson Manifolds, the Thrasher manifold improves EGTs (Exhaust gas temperatures), improves torque, and improves fuel mileage on the Cummins 5.9L engines.

Depending upon the state of tune, the Thrasher can generate in excess of 300 extra ft-lb of torque, or with lighter throttle use, the equivalent in fuel savings. In contrast with the OEM arrangement, this new induction system provides greater equality of air-fuel distribution, especially in the cruise zone of 2,000 to 2,100 rpm.

As a result, the Thrasher generates not only amazing gains in both torque and fuel economy but also improves horsepower output, lowers exhaust gas temperatures, reduces exhaust emissions, and improves drivability.

Check out the results from the strict disciplines of the dynamometer graphs below. One graph demonstrates the gains in both torque and horsepower of the Wilson Thrasher manifold when compared with the OEM manifold, both of which are tested with a standard ECU. In the other, both are tested with an aftermarket ECU.

What is more, the greater the power improvements made to this engine, the greater the performance or economy benefits of the Thrasher. In simple terms, the Thrasher requires less accelerator pedal action to pull, tow, or cruise; therefore, it uses less fuel

Source: Wilson Manifolds

In spite of the challenging conditions testing the U.S. economy and the RV industry, Newmar Corporation recently announced it has doubled its Class A motor home market share in January 2009 when compared to January 2008.

This, according to Statistical Surveys data recently released. According to the data compiled by the Grand Rapids, MI based company, Class A motor home retail registrations in January of this year showed a 61% decline vs. the numbers a year prior. In the face of these declining numbers, Newmar experienced an increase of its Class A motor home market share from 3.2% in January 2008 vs. 7.6% in January 2009. Newmar’s market share growth was 136.3%.

 “Although one month’s worth of data does not make it a trend, this is welcome news and a good sign for Newmar and its dealers,” said John Sammut, Newmar’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Newmar will continue to work hard through the 2009 calendar year, but this certainly is a strong start to the year for our company.”

Newmar‘s growth in market share came from both the gas and diesel motor home segments of its Class A motor home business. “The improvements made to the interior and exterior designs of Newmar’s 2009 motor home product line up appear to be having a positive impact even in a declining motor home market,” added Pat Terveer, Newmar’s Director of Sales. “Developing great looking product at a great value will continue to be our company’s focus.”

Source: Newmar Corporation