GlobeGazette.com features an interview with Bob Olson, the new chairman of the board and CEO of Winnebago Industries.
In the article, Olson discusses the challenges that Winnebago faces with softening RV sales and rising fuel prices.
Olson is optimistic about the future and the value that RVs offer. He notes that the price of RVing is still competitive compared to other forms of entertainment or travel.
Source: GlobeGazette.com
RV manufacturers are going green and doing more to cut down on waste and recycle.
According to WSBT.com, RV companies in Elkhart County, Indiana have turned more than 2,000,000 pounds of waste into useful products.
Scraps of material cut away from RV bodies, which used to be discarded, are now saved and recycled into doors for RVs. The recycling of scrap material also lowers the cost of the finished RV.
Source: WSBT.com
Pilgrim International recently announced a new 5-year warranty on all flooring utilizing the CosmoLite composite substrate.
Pilgrim began manufacturing floors utilizing the new CosmoLite
composite substrates in October of last year. It has since been featured in
many articles and publications, from transportation and travel magazines to
environmental white papers.
According to Pilgrim International…
“Traditionally, water has been the culprit in the deterioration of most
RV floors,” stated Dave Hoefer, Co-founder and Chairman of Pilgrim
International. “Even a small amount of moisture resting on the floor of a
traditional camper can result in a soft spot, and ultimately lead to
instability. The multi- million dollar investment in new materials and
technology has paved the path to the 5-Year warranty; this is a clear and
decisive indication that we have a commitment to the future of the RV
industry. We stand behind our product and we are very proud to be the first
and only RV manufacturer in the world that can offer such guarantees to the
end-consumer.”
“The very nature of the composite material makes it impervious to rot,
mildew and mold,” commented Doug Lantz, Vice President of Product
Development. “It was really a by-product of our quest to use stronger,
lighter materials.” CosmoLite is also a formaldehyde-free product with no
out-gassing of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and is completely
recyclable.
The CosmoLite Composite material is three times stronger than the
traditional wood substrates it replaces. These factors result in the
ability to offer a warranty that reflects the strength and durability of
the materials now utilized.
“The floors are really just the first step in the process to
manufacture a travel trailer that replaces wood in all six sides and
becomes the first Green eco-friendly trailer,” commented Hoefer. “It is
part of our original vision of continuous improvement to remain the
forerunner in product innovation that will revolutionize the recreational
vehicle industry.”
Source: Pilgrim International
August 31 through September 13, 2008 are the dates for the 2nd Annual Great Santa Fe TrailHorse Race Endurance Ride.
The Great Santa Fe Trail Horse Race is a 515 mile endurance ride completed over a 14 day period.
According to The Great Santa Fe Trail Horse Race Endurance Ride homepage…
The Great Santa Fe Trail Horse Race Endurance Ride was developed to bring attention to the Santa Fe Trail and to assist in developing tourism along the trail. It is a fourteen day equestrian event with riders retracing part of the most famous trail in America.
This trail was first traveled by Francis Vasques de Coronado in 1541. He brought the first horses to this part of the world and it was on this trail that Native Americans first saw horses.
RVers are invited to overnight in the Race Villages and interact with the riders, their teams, and the people in the rural communities the Race goes through.
There will be ample room for RVers to dry camp in the race villages with 10 overnight villages throughout the 14 days. Arrangements for water and sewer needs will be made and parks with hook-ups will be available and welcoming nearby.
More details can be found at The Official The Great Santa Fe TrailHorse Race Endurance Ride Homepage
YouTube features a slide show of the 2007 Great Santa Fe Trail Horse Race Endurance Ride.
Having a generator to power lights and other luxuries brings comfort to an RV trip, but keeping the noise and rumble of a generator to minimum is a challenge.
Yamaha’s EF4500iSE is designed for less noise and better fuel economy. It has the most powerful engine in its class, allowing for very low engine speed of 2,600 rpm – that’s 1,000 rpm lower than comparable generators – which reduces fuel consumption, noise, vibration and engine wear.
According to Yamaha…
“The EF4500iSE engine is quiet and fuel-efficient,” said Colin Iwasa, power equipment sales manager at Yamaha. “The 357cc Yamaha 4-stroke OHV engine was certified to the most stringent California Air Resources Board Tier III exhaust emission regulations and durability levels.”
Thanks to Yamaha’s Pulse Width Modulation inverter system, the power generated by the EF4500iSE is suitable to run satellite TV systems, computer and other sophisticated electronic appliances.
“The EF4500iSE provides RVers with the comforts and pleasures of electricity in a quiet easy-to-use package,” said Iwasa. “Electric start and automatic choke makes starting easier than falling out of bed, and if you don’t want to get out of bed use the optional wireless remote to start and stop the generator from up to 66 feet away.”
Source: Yamaha
RV travelers need room for more than just a few coolers and some folding chairs. RVers want living space and room to take their off-road vehicles.
Previous toy hauler RVs offered room for the ATVs or dirt bikes, but sacrificed room for sleeping after a long day of riding.
Newmar Corporation, an Indiana-based manufacturer of Class A motorhomes and fifth wheels, has designed the ultimate Class A Gas Toy Hauler floorplan for the adventurous RVer.
The 2009 Canyon Star 3920 is the perfect fit for the person who loves to travel in style and take their toys on the road. This new floorplan gives owners comfortable, roomy living space with a garage to store large off-road vehicles.
According to Newmar…
“The 3920 is the first Class A Gas toy hauler on the market to offer an actual full-size bedroom,” said John Sammut, Newmar’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Although bunk beds with an electric bed lift are an option in the garage of this new Canyon Star model, this unique layout allows the owner to sleep comfortably somewhere in the motorhome other than in the garage or on the sofa in the living room.”
This dedicated bedroom space comes standard with a queen-size bed, wardrobes, a chest of drawers, and a 19” LCD TV.
The 3920 features a rear-ramp design and is built on the Ford F-53 26,000 chassis powered by a 362 horsepower Triton V-10 engine. With over 6,000 lbs. of Net Carrying Capacity, Canyon Star owners are able to take their small vehicles with them and enjoy the RV lifestyle.
Garage features include diamond tread rubber flooring, tie-down tracks, and a stainless steel overhead cabinet with a recessed flip-down countertop. Wheel chocks, a screen for the rear cargo door, and a second air conditioner with heat strips are optional.
The Canyon Star front living area features a full-size kitchen with a built-in booth dinette (or optional round dinette or freestanding dinette), a 74” sofa, and a 26” LCD TV in the front overhead cabinet. A dry bar with a 32” LCD TV can be optioned.
Source: Newmar Corportaion
Folding campers offer the adventure of RVing on a modest budget. If you want an affordable RV, or you just want to be closer to nature, a folding camper could be your best choice.
Pictured here is the Pony by Palomino, available in three different floor plans and equipped with features including a 7′ awning and a 18 gallon under floor water tank.
Source: Palomino
An RV park near a city waterfront? Not all RVers crave the wide open spaces. Some RV travelers want city lights rather than campfires.
According to TodaysTHV.com, a new RV park under construction in Little Rock, Arkansas is located on the city waterfront.
The 12-acre site for the park in North Little Rock will offer RVers access to the city’s shopping and restaurants. The park will have 65 to 70 spaces for RVs.
Source: TodaysTHV
Your RV’s engine has a tough job. Along with the weight of the RV frame and body, RVs are now stocked with TVs, generators, furniture, and supplies for a family trip. That is a lot to demand, even for a high-powered RV engine.
Without proper maintenance and care, an RV engine can run hot, along with the wear and tear that warm traveling weather can inflict.
The RV Tech Tips blog offers advice from Eric Davis, who has over thirty years experience with the engine performance and handling problems of RVs. Eric offers advice to an RVer with engine-overheating problems with his motorhome.
Source: RV Tech Tips
As the weather gets warmer, RVers are getting read to hit the road and travel. Tampa Bay Online features a New York Times story on handy tips for keeping your RV road ready.
Regular maintenance can protect your RV from common problems ranging from water leaks to a breakdown requiring towing.
One common RV maintenance problem is the roof. Manufacturers will guarantee the structure of a roof, but the seals around vents and other areas are the owner’s responsibility.
Source: Tampa Bay Online