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
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