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Winnebago Industries homepage features details on the 50th anniversary of Winnebago and the introduction of the new 2009 Winnebago, Itasca and ERA brand motor homes.

Winnebago is holding a Dealer Days event May 12-15, 2008, at The Mirage in Las Vegas, Nevada, with a theme of “50 Years on the Road”.

According to Winnebago…

Winnebago Industries displayed 50 motor homes representing key elements of the Company’s 23 model lines and 78 floorplans, 46 percent of which are new or redesigned for 2009.

“Winnebago Industries broadened the product differentiation between the Winnebago and Itasca brands for 2009, providing our dealer partners with new and exciting motor homes to fit each of their needs,” said Winnebago Industries Chairman, CEO and President Bob Olson.

“We’re excited to introduce our redesigned Winnebago Adventurer Class A gas line with exciting new floorplans and aggressive pricing. Our totally redesigned Itasca Suncruiser is now more widely differentiated from the Adventurer and features unique new floorplans at a tremendous value.

We also made significant upgrades to our Class A diesel products while holding the line on pricing, made added positive changes to our Class C product lines complete with the redesigned Winnebago Aspect and Itasca Cambria products, and have new floorplans throughout our entire 2009 lineup.”
Source: Winnebago

The RVIA recently reported that despite high fuel prices, 82 percent of RV owners say RV vacations cost less than other types of vacations.

According to the RVIA…

This is one of the reasons why so many RVers plan to travel this spring and summer. Most RVers are simply adjusting to fuel costs rather than not traveling in their RVs, according to a new study.

The latest biannual Campfire Canvass survey of RV owners, conducted by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), reveals that 76 percent of RV owners intend to use their RVs at least as much this spring and summer as last year.

Of those who said their plans would be affected, 58 percent said they’d travel to destinations closer to home, 35 percent said they’d travel fewer miles and 34 percent said they’d stay longer at one destination.

“Because there are more than 16,000 campgrounds throughout the country, RVers have the flexibility to cut costs by staying closer to home,” says Richard Coon, president of RVIA. “Whether they travel five or 500 miles, they can still have a great outdoor experience.”

Surprisingly, one-third of RV owners say fuel costs won’t affect their travel plans, according to the study. Their travel intentions reflect research by international travel and tourism experts PKF Consulting. They found that even as fuel prices increase, RV trips remain the most affordable way for a family to go because of the significant savings on hotels and restaurant costs.

Source: RVIA

MercuryNews.com reports on would-be RV owners who want an RV, yet are afraid they could not handle such a large vehicle. No one wants to be the bumbling RV owner that Robin Williams played in the movie RV.

According to the article, RV buyers need not fear getting behind the steering wheel. An RV dealer can help you pick out the right vehicle for your comfort level and budget.
Cruise America and other RV rental companies offer the chance to rent and try a particular RV style before making a purchase.

Source: MercuryNews.com

Jayco has just released details about the new Jayco Embark motorhome.

According to Jayco, the Embark is nearly 40 feet long, features a tastefully decorated expansive interior, four slideouts and thoughtful floorplans, as well as high-end amenities that give it a sense of luxury and provide the every day comforts of home.

Standard features include an Optima Leather hide-a-bed sofa, Northridge Maple cabinetry, attractive nickel hardware, one piece Honex solid surface countertops with built-in sink, convection microwave, pillow-top mattress and under bed storage.

Built on the Freightliner Business Class chassis designed for superior visibility, the Embark boasts an unusually powerful 330-horsepower Cummins ISC diesel engine and 6-speed Allison TRV 3200 series automatic transmission with overdrive, offering over 7 tons of towing capacity. In addition, its 55-degree turning radius, cruise control and air brakes with ABS.

The Embark comes with several “must have” items for cross-country travel, including electric powered triple entrance step, side-hinge motorhome-style baggage doors, automatic hydraulic leveling jacks, Onan 6,000-watt quiet diesel generator with auto-changeover and 110-volt Apex electric roof mount patio awning by Carefree of Colorado. Safety features include daytime running lights, driver and passenger-side airbags and 3-point lap and shoulder safety belts.

The Customer Value Package features a premium AM/FM/CD/DVD cab entertainment center with back-up camera, monitor and GPS navigation, plus other top-notch entertainment items, such as an exterior entertainment center with AM/FM/CD stereo and a 32-inch high-definition LCD TV. To further enhance your experience, an optional Winegard satellite dish option expands your channel options.

Source: Jayco

While RVers are concerned about rising fuel costs, StarNewsOnline.com reports on RVers who haven’t let pain at the gas pump dull their love of RVing. The fun of RV travel still beats the price of gas.

A big draw to RV travel is the friendliness of other RVers and a sense of community found in each park they visit, something lacking in hotel stays or air travel. RVers find each destination offers the chance to make new lifetime friends.

The choice of different RV sizes opens the door for new RVers. RV dealers are finding ways to match the right RV with a customer’s budget and needs.

Source: StarNewsOnline.com

The Lone Star State is filled with RV adventure according to Keven Ann Willey in a The Dallas Morning News feature story.

Texas has over 120 state parks, with two dozen within a two-hour drive of Dallas, and RV parks ranging from the simple to the luxurious. Texas state parks experienced more than 9 million visits in 2007.

It not just retirees and the wealthy who go RVing. Willey reports that the typical RV owner is 49 years old, married, with an income of $56,000.

Source: The Dallas Morning News

While a shiny new RV might be impressive to look at on a sales lot, some buyers awe turns to fear when it is time to drive.

While RV buyers want as much living space as they can afford, getting behind the wheel for the first time can be scary. According to Driving.ca, driving a big RV can be easy.

Some dealers recommend that new RVers start out with smaller models. Automatic transmissions and power brakes take any strain out of RV driving.

After gaining experience, some RV owners find driving an RV is less stressful than driving a car.

Source: Driving.ca

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