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The Durango RV Resort opened earlier this month in Red Bluff, California. The Red Bluff Daily News profiled the resort’s first customer and the amenities including WiFi, a offleash dog parks, and a sports complex.

The story also reports it took four years from the first concept for the Durango RV Resort to the finished park. According to the official site, the Durango is an upscale and “big rig friendly” RV resort, offering 174 spaces.

For towable RVs there are deluxe pull-through spaces 70-90 feet long that offer 16 foot wide angled concrete pads for easy parking and exiting. Eleven of the deluxe riverfront spaces overlook the Sacramento River.

Source: The Red Bluff Daily News and The Durango RV Resort

Urban/wilderness survival expert Brian Bawdy’s RV could be the “greenest” RV ever built.  The Wonder, Explore, Believe Mobile Base Camp is touring the country “to go off road and off grid: To be as pioneering, independent, self-sufficient and environmentally friendly as possible.”

Bawdy’s RV is a 2008 Lance Camper with special energy saving features, including a wind turbine, solar cells, and a way of harvesting rain to use for drinking water.

More details about he Wonder, Explore, Believe Mobile Base CampRV can be found on the official homepage.

KLS 5 in Salt Lake City, Utah features a video report on Brian Bawdy’s RV, including the rainwater harvesting technology.

Source: Wonderexplorebelieve.net and KLS 5 Salt Lake City UT.

Coachmen RV Group has recently revived its Shasta brand with a new light weight travel trailer. While the trailer resembles the classic Shasta’s of the late ’50s and early ’60s, it has successfully married modern technology with tradition. Shasta is one of the oldest brands of RV, and there are still thousands of people who proudly own and use their Shasta trailers from the 1950s and ’60s. There are also a variety of chat groups and clubs devoted to finding and restoring old Shasta trailers.

The exterior has the classic appeal of the old Shasta trailers, including the Z side graphic design available in 4 colors, and trademark silver wings that made a Shasta instantly recognizable. Standard baby moon hubcaps also provide a tribute to the past. Optional 5-spoke aluminum rims are available to add a modern twist. With either wheel selection, the tires are filled with NitroFill nitrogen gas that runs cooler and can extend tire life up to 30%.

The new Shasta Airflyte is constructed with aluminum framed, vacuum-bond laminate sidewalls and a one-piece fiberglass roof. This makes for a very lightweight trailer that can be towed by both contemporary and classic vehicles. The trailer’s base weight starts under 2,500 pounds. Coachmen designers consciously worked to keep the weight down so that they could accommodate those Shasta aficionados who want to pair their classic car with their travel trailer.

While the outside of the trailer reminds people of a by-gone time, the spacious interior boasts a full 6-feet 5-inches of headroom and modern amenities. For instance, the galley has a portable electric cooktop and a 1.2-cubic-foot built-in microwave.

Shasta Airflyte offers three different interior decors: Classic Red, Tangerine Dream and Ocean Spray. The ceiling skylight lets in even more natural light and opens for ventilation. A retractable screen and night shade on the skylight let you control how much light comes in. Also included is the Cool Cat heat pump for air conditioning and heat which is located in the lower cabinet and ducted throughout the unit.

Source: Coachmen

Fleetwood Enterprises’ RV Group recently announced the launch of its Power Bridge Chassis, a brand new diesel chassis platform, during the Family Motor Coach Association’s (FMCA) summer rally in St. Paul, Minn.

Power Bridge Chassis is an integration of Fleetwood’s superior bridge-beam framing technology and Freightliner’s outstanding chassis construction. Highlights include 242 cu. ft of basement storage space (select models only); smarter, more functional features; and an industry-leading ride.

“The idea for Power Bridge was born out of the proven technology used on our Liberty Chassis,” said Paul Eskritt, President of Fleetwood’s RV Group. “It is a major re-design that offers our diesel customers a wide range of features intended to exceed all of their expectations, as well as change the way they RV … for the better.”

Power Bridge Chassis is available on all 2009 Bounder Diesel, Expedition, Discovery, Providence and Excursion Class A diesel motor home models.

Source : Fleetwood Enterprises

Tiffin Motorhomes has introduced the entry-level Allegro models, raising the ceiling to a spacious 7-foot level, matching the other four Tiffin lines.

The added 6 inches from 2008 models opens a world of comfort, according to Jerry Williamson, Tiffin’s national sales manager. “This expansion enables design of a much more livable coach, with additional cabinetry above and below counters, improved TV placements and larger windows,” Williamson says.

The Allegro is available in five floor plans ranging from a double-slide 30-ft. gas-powered model under $100,000 base retail to a 35-ft. quad-slide with a diesel-powered front engine with a base retail of $134,050. Most 2009 Allegros will sport 22-in. wheels, designed to provide improved handling, a smoother ride, and greater weight capacity. A limited number of 2009 Allegros will be available on 19.5-in. wheels.

Additional new features of the 2009 Allegro include: LCD TVs standard throughout, MCD powered windshield shade replacing a curtain, outside vented microwave/convection oven and a Tiffin-exclusive sliding heat reducer cover for the shower skylight. Tiffin was one of only five motorhome manufacturers to receive the RVDA’s coveted Quality Circle Award for 2007. Tiffin has been honored with the Quality Circle nine of the 12 years it has been presented by the RVDA.

Source: Tiffin Motorhomes

The Temecula Valley News features a story about Dennis and Georgie Rhein and their mission to enjoy a frugal RV vacation.

The Rheins set out to see if it is possible to take an RV Vacation on $100 a day, a tough task with rising gas and food prices.

To meet their goal required careful planning and a destination not too far from their home. Stocking up on food and supplies and looking for bargains on campgrounds helped stretch the Rheins budget.

Source: The Temecula Valley News

Livin’ Lite Recreational Vehicles, manufacturer of the Quicksilver line of ultra lightweight Automotive Campers, was recently named Roaming Times “Green RV of the Year”.

Roaming Times, the popular destination of thousands of RV enthusiasts, recognizes and highlights innovation in the RVing industry with this choice. Roaming Times says “Our selection was influenced by zero formaldehyde, no rotting or rusting, low cost and the ability for the camper to be pulled by an ordinary car.

According to Livin’ Lite, the Quicksilver line opens up the RVing experience to a whole new generation of energy-conscious campers. ” In what has been a depressed RV economy, Livin’ Lite is poised for growth by offering “Green Friendly” RVs to consumers who embrace the GO GREEN movement.

With more and more families choosing fuel efficient cars and minivans over traditional trucks and SUVs, Livin’ Lite is positioned to offer those families an affordable opportunity to enjoy the RV lifestyle. “Our Quicksliver line of fold-out Automotive Campers are designed specifically for automobiles and minivans.” reports Mike Kinzel, GM of Livin’ Lite.

Unlike other ultra lightweights on the market that can be towed by cars, the QUICKSILVER can sleep up to six (6) people comfortably, features 6’-4” of headroom, and is built out of all aluminum and composites – making it both wood and formaldehyde Free! “You will not find even one splinter of wood in a QUICKSILVER,” says Kinzel, “Making our product Green Friendly on a number of levels – both in terms of construction materials and the incredible fuel savings our owners experience as they can go camping without having to use large trucks or SUVs to pull their camper.”

Source: Livin’ Lite

An enjoyable day on a boat or RV can become even more delicious when it’s topped off with a hot meal. But stoves using traditional cooking fuels such as butane or propane pose the risk of explosion. This is eliminated with the new CookMate 3100 double burner alcohol stove, which features the SafeFlame non-pressurized fuel canister system.

The canister’s unique design prevents fuel from leaking out, even if it’s turned completely upside down. This portable stainless steel stove is fueled by a SafeFlame stainless steel canister containing a non-flammable wick material. It absorbs and holds approximately 1-1/4 qts. of alcohol fuel. Alcohol is a safe, clean cooking fuel and can be easily extinguished with water.

Source: CookmateWorld.com

Winnebago Industries, Inc. recently unveiled a never-seen-before floorplan at the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) Convention at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul, Minn., July 14-17.

“The 2009 Winnebago Outlook 30D is not your typical Class C motor home,” said Winnebago Industries’ Chairman of the Board, CEO and President Bob Olson. “One look inside the new 30D floorplan and you’ll realize this is a totally different coach. We’ve taken the conventional bedroom area and transformed it into spacious living and dining space that is also perfect for entertaining. Plus, you have plenty of sleeping space too. This is a revolutionary floorplan that we’re extremely excited to show in St. Paul.” The first-of-its-kind, double slide Winnebago Outlook 30D is striking, spacious and fun.

With optional full body paint offering a striking exterior, the interior features an innovative layout with the bathroom and opposing wardrobe behind the front cab seats. The spacious wardrobe is not only a great place for storage, but it also houses pull-out stair steps so you can easily access the front bunk when night falls. The front bunk area also features a skylight and an optional 15-inch LCD TV.

Source: Winnebago

RV Trade Digest reports that The Pennsylvania RV & Camping Show will be held September 10th through the 14th at the Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

According to the Pennsylvania Recreation Vehicle & Camping Association (PRVCA), the show will feature more than 1,300 of the latest RVs from the smallest folding campers to the largest motorhomes.

The Pennsylvania RV & Camping Show is also the first show in the nation with the 2009 models with more than 86 Companies Exhibiting. There will also be seminars with RV Experts, including Gary Bunzer, “The RV Doctor”.

Source: RV Trade Digest and Pennsylvania Recreation Vehicle & Camping Association