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RV manufacturer Pilgrim International recently announced they are increasing production of their recreational vehicles.

According to a press release from Pilgrim…

“Pilgrim’s production has increased by 55% since January of 2008.
Retail and dealer procurement of the higher quality, light weight travel
trailers, with the all composite floor system has forced us to raise
production. We are ever so grateful for the 16% increase in employment
opportunities it has created for our Northeast Indiana community,” said
Dave Hoefer, Sr., Chairman of Pilgrim International.

While economic uncertainty and rising gas prices have hurt RV sales, Pilgrim has bucked the trend. Pilgrim also partnered with 45 new dealers since December 2007.

How does Pilgrim manage to stay successful in rough times?

“The new Pilgrim trailers have been very well received by our sales
staff, service department and most importantly, our customers,” commented
Loren Baidas, VP of General RV Center.”Pilgrim’s new lightweight trailers have a luxurious look on the inside and outside. They also provide the customer with a quality, accessory rich, lightweight product they could not find before in the market place. Because of this, our Pilgrim sales here at General RV Center are up over 200%. Keeping up with the changing state of the market, and answering the evolving needs of its customers, Pilgrim is quickly becoming the leader in the RV industry.”

Pilgrim recently introduced a new composite RV exterior and upgraded their website to offer customers an interactive way to choose an RV interior.

Source: Pilgrim International Inc.

RESOURCES

• Pilgrim International Home Page
• Pilgrim RVs on RV Trader Online

While stylish interiors and sleek designs catch the eye of RV buyers, the chassis underneath that glossy RV exterior is what holds the whole package together. The front cab of an RV should offer the same level of comfort as the living area.

The Workhorse Custom Chassis site features details on the Chevy Workhorse cab chassis for Class C motor home. The Chevy Workhorse cab chassis has seen an increase market share in a tough RV sales market, capturing 30 percent market share for January.

“The Workhorse-GM relationship on this chassis has certainly resonated with RVers, even when the motor home market has been down,” said Bill Walmsley, Workhorse director of RV marketing.

The 2008 model features a redesigned cockpit for more controls than ever at easy reach, starting with a new steering wheel with new cruise control activation. A new radio adds MP3 capabilities with convenient switches and dials. New HVAC control knobs and childproof window switches add more convenience and safety.

The new 2008 gauge cluster also enhances driver visibility while adding a Driver Information Center. This dash-mounted screen provides maintenance reminders for systems including the A/C, air bag, battery and antitheft system. Along with various engine function warning messages, it provides a fuel status that includes fuel used, fuel range, and average fuel economy.

“Add the upgraded seating and you’ve got a very comfortable and user-friendly new cab that will definitely enhance the driving experience,” said Walmsley.

Some of the other user-friendly touches Walmsley notes include the labeled and easy to find fluid fills and engine monitoring points. A step on the front bumper makes it easier to reach the windshield for cleaning. Battery rundown protection, lockout prevention and retained accessory power provide another safety net.

Source: Workhorse Custom Chassis

A new RV park in Tehama County, California does more than get RVers close to nature, it will strive to protect the environment.

RedbluffDailyNews.com reports on the 174-site Durango RV Resort that opens this May.

The “green” RV park is designed to conserve water and heat, use composting and recycling to dispose of waste, with buildings designed to conserve energy. Even the pool will use biodegradable chemicals.

Source: RedBluffDailyNews.com

GPS devices can help guide you to your favorite destinations, but they can also be a pain to use while driving. Messing around with a touch-screen device is the last thing you want to do while driving a big RV.

NavStar Technologies has designed the hands-free Voice Navigator, a GPS device that uses voice commands when requesting directions. There is no touch-screen or interface to learn. Plug it in and it is ready to give directions.

The Voice Navigator was designed with RVers in mind. NavStar studied the RV industry and gained input from RV owners to determine their needs. Voice Navigator will arrive pre-loaded with customized RV data, including KOA locations in the US, dump stations locations, additional campground providers, maintenance and repair locations, and additional data that RV owners identify as useful.

Source: NavStar

RV manufacturers are always trying to update their websites so customers can get a better idea of the features and design of the newest models. Pilgrim International recently updated their website to let RVers pick their decor as well as their model.

According to Pilgrim International…

Pilgrim International, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of its completely redesigned interactive website at www.pilgrimintl.com. The site now includes a fresh new look and format, as well as a unique interactive interior décor selection feature that allows consumers and dealers to view fabric, décor and wood options with a click of the mouse. The new site features the full line of Pilgrim International travel trailers and fifth wheels with “model overviews” and printable PDF brochures for Pilgrim 1500 Series, Pilgrim 2500 Series, Open Road, Legends MP, Legends HP, Cirrus Ultra Lite and Cirrus Hybrid product lines.

One of the most exciting new features on Pilgrim’s new www.pilgrimintl.com website is the interactive Décor section. A view of the inside of the trailer is displayed with clickable buttons that transform the view of the trailer with different fabric, décor and wood options. Each trailer or fifth wheel comes with different décor patterns–a variety of colors for the sofa, chair, dinette and bedspread along with wood tones to compliment any taste.

Detailed lists of standard equipment included are also available, organized into sections for Exterior, Interior, Kitchen, Bedroom, Bathroom, Utilities and Construction. Optional equipment is also listed. A gallery of photos of each model is available in order to see each trailer or fifth wheel from every angle.

Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Pilgrim, Jerry Sell stated, “As far was we know, our new website is the only one of its kind that has the ability to change the interior décor of the RV with a simple click of a button. It’s a great feature for our customers to see what is available to them before making a purchase. It’s also great for our dealers to showcase décor choices to our customers.”

Source: Pilgrim International

Kampgrounds of America recently announced the Come Camp and Care With Us Weekend to be held May 9-10, 2008. A list of participating camp grounds can be found on the KOA site.

According to Kampgrounds of America…

Kampgrounds of America’s popular Come Camp and Care With Us Weekend will be held the weekend of May 9-10, 2008. Campers staying as paid guests on Friday, May 9, at participating KOAs will receive a free night of camping at that campground on Saturday, May 10.

Since 2004, KOA has offered campers throughout North America a free night of camping each May at participating KOA campgrounds. In 2007, the event was expanded to a weekend event, offering a free Saturday of camping for those who stay as paid guests at participating campgrounds on Friday.

The event is intended to expose more people to the joys of camping by offering them a free night, as well as to encourage campers to both begin camping earlier in the spring season, and to consider KOA campgrounds close to home. Expanding to a weekend event allows KOA campground owners to plan more fun activities for campers to enjoy.

For 2008, the event will again serve as a major fundraiser for KOA Care Camps for children with cancer. The 35 camps, located throughout North America, offer children with cancer and their siblings a chance to experience summer camp in a safe environment while continuing with their medically supervised treatments.

“Come Camp and Care With Us Weekend has grown to become one of the highlights of our camping year,” said KOA President and Chief Operating Officer Shane Ott. “Pairing it with a great charity like KOA Care Camps for children with cancer just seemed natural, because we knew our campers would love to help these special kids experience great camping, too.”

In 2007, camper donations helped raise more than $225,000 for KOA Care Camps during the Come Camp and Care With Us Weekend event.
Source: Kampgrounds of America

No matter how sleek or expensive your RV is, you probably have neighbors who don’t want to look at it. RV storage has become a hot issue in some cities, with angry debates over where and how RV owners can park their vehicles. The Eucalyptus at Beaumont could offer a solution to the problem, offering RV owners a chance to own their own storage space. These are not ordinary storage space facilities you would store the junk you can’t fit in your attic anymore. From the renderings below, the lounge area alone as luxurious as some of the interiors of the RVs stored there. According to Eucalyptus at Beaumont… Recreational Vehicle storage condominiums offer a solution to the growing problem of RV storage and parking. Many cities throughout California are passing regulations prohibiting the parking of large RV’s on city streets. High land costs make new RV storage facilities financially unfeasible. The recreational vehicle market is rapidly expanding, while the availability of storage is shrinking. That equals higher storage prices. Eucalyptus at Beaumont, A Private Storage Community is the brain child of owner/developer Ted Deits. “Up until now, the only alternative to RV storage was to rent a space. Now, we are offering fully enclosed garage type storage designed specifically for the storage of recreational vehicles that are owned, not rented,” said Deits. “Storage rental rates have risen so high, it now makes perfect economic sense to purchase your storage,” he continued. Eucalyptus at Beaumont will offer 112 enclosed garage-style storage with all units designed to house even the largest RV, built on 4.5 acres of land. The first sales phase of 30 units was released in October of 2006, and sold out in 2 days. Phase 2 with 48 units was released on July 9th, 2007, to a waiting list of over 900 people. “That phase took about three weeks to sell out,” Deits said. “When we executed this idea 2 years ago, we felt only the well-heeled would be buyers,” Deits continued. “As it turns out, the regular Joe’s are snapping these up. All but 1 of these units has been sold to people on average 70 miles away. 10 were sold to Hawaii residents and one in Australia. Several buyers have purchased multiple units. With unit prices starting in the mid-fifties, it competes well with the rental market.” Ownership is the same as traditional residential condominiums. There is no underlying land lease. A 2700-sq.-ft. clubhouse with a big screen TV, showers, LEED compatible interiors, and numerous RV specific amenities also complement the project. “Our design from the start was to provide an upscale, safe, easily accessible RV storage alternative. Push one button on your provided remote control, and the security gates opens and the burglar alarm in your unit isdisabled. Push the second button and the door to your unit opens and thelights are turned on for you. Isle widths are a comfortable 71 feet widefor easy turning. What could be easier?” said Deits. Source: Eucalyptus at Beaumont

Many RVers travel with their pets, sharing the adventure of the open road just like any other family member

Now Progressive RV insurance is making sure that RV pets can get insurance coverage.

According to Progressive…

Source: Progressive

Who are the RV Spy Guys? If you watch their video on YouTube, they seem to be two middle-aged guys breaking into a Monaco Coach Plant to check out new RVs and reveal them to the world. But what sort of criminals would have their own web page sharing their videos? According The Register Guard, the RV Spy Guys are really a clever marketing campaign to promote Monaco RVs. Just a reminder, do not attempt to break into an RV plant on your own. Leave it to the marketing professionals. Source: The Register Guard, and The RV Spy Guys

Laptop computers are now almost a part of RVing as cookouts and sightseeing. Tiffin Motorhomes now offer computer-friendly workstations that make it easy to organize your digital life while on the road. According to Tiffin Motorhomes… Maybe laptop isn’t where you want to use your laptop. Tiffin Motorhomes understands.

The Class A motorhome manufacturer has just added another optional coach location to search for restaurants near a campground or admire the latest emailed photos of the grandkids.

Since January, all 2008 Phaeton, Allegro Bus and Zephyr diesel pusher models are available with the optional dinette/computer work station that includes room for a printer and files.

“We believe this will appeal to everyone who uses a computer, and that’s at least 90% of our customers,” says Jerry Williamson, Tiffin national sales manager. “Our customers are electronically savvy, which has become a way of life.”

Earlier in the current model year, Tiffin began offering an optional euro recliner with a computer/end table. For 2006 models, Tiffin introduced a front passenger side dash laptop work station which is still standard.

“The euro recliner and computer work station proved popular with many of our customers, but others wanted the additional sleeping capacity of the Air Coil Hide-A-Bed sofa instead,” Williamson adds.

With the adjacent dinette, computer users will have plenty of horizontal workspace. When the computer is shut down and it’s time to watch TV, the midsection seated eye-level set accommodates many viewers from the two sofas and the swiveled seats. Source: Tiffin Motorhomes