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The rounded shape of Airstream trailers are a classic in the world of RVs. Airstream trailers are not only aerodynamic, but beautiful in their own metallic way.

Hallmark pays tribute to famous trailer with the Airstream Dream Keepsake Ornament. An Airstream trailer might not be as cuddly as little stuffed teddy bears or other holiday ornaments, but it does feature rolling wheels and an awning that pulls out.

According to Hallmark..

Remember the call of the open road with this wonderful replica of an Airstream trailer. Just like the real thing, you can extend the blue and white striped awning for some extra shade. The wheels turn, too. Comes with a full-sized Hallmark greeting card, with your personal message.

We give in…it could not be any cuter, even if you stuck little red bows on it.

Source: Hallmark

With the success of the Toyota Prius and other hybrid vehicles, businesses have discovered that ecologically-friendly products are gaining favor with consumers.

The Durango Herald Online reports on efforts to make RV travel “greener” and energy efficient.

According to the story, effort range from Coachmen RV testing biofuel-powered models to redesigned version of the Volkswagen created by a Canadian designer.

It’s not just RV designers thinking about the environment. The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reports that 71 percent of RVers recycle while on the road.

The fun part about shopping for a new is checking out all the new features that make RV living so comfortable.

But once you sign the paperwork and pick out your destination, driving that RV might seem a little scary at first.

Some RVs can rival a tractor trailer truck for size and weight. The mightiest SUV can seem like a toy compared the moment you get behind the steering wheel of a Class A.

The Star Phoenix reports that advances in RV technology and engineering have made driving and maneuvering easier. RVs actually have an advantage on the road due to their visibility and their height, giving drivers a better view.

Practice and expert advice from a dealer can help any capable driver master the art of parking and driving even the biggest RVs.

Ford Motor Company recently announced their lastest motorhome chassis lineup to meet consumer needs for larger RVs with more amenities.

According to Ford…

The Ford F53 Super Duty Class A motorhome lineup boasts best-in-class 362 hp and 457 ft.-lbs. of torque from the proven 6.8-liter Triton™ V-10 engine. Improved ride, steering and NVH makes long trips more enjoyable while extended service intervals and quality legacy should reduce down time.

Celebrating the growing popularity of RVing and the increasing luxury RV market, Ford introduces the most capable motorhome chassis to the new 2008 F53 Super Duty Class A lineup that has been fully re-engineered for better driving dynamics, more diverse offerings and reduced noise, vibration and harshness. The new chassis borrows heavily from the industry’s most capable heavy-duty truck – the new 2008 F-Series Super Duty – and was proven out on many of the F-Series “Built Ford Tough” truck durability tests to improve on the Ford RV’s 25 percent quality advantage customers reported in Ford surveys.

Ford offers the best-selling RV chassis in both the Class A and Class C (E-Series chassis) markets. The launch of the new package options in Class A expands Ford’s F53 Super Duty Class A lineup to six offerings, ranging from the “tailgater’s special” 16,000-pound gross-vehicle weight rating (GVWR) chassis through the new capability leader, 26,000-pound GVWR chassis, that gives builders the opportunity to offer the most advanced, most luxurious RV bodies yet.

Ford’s new 24,000-pound GVWR package firmly settles into the heavy class of motorhome chassis, one of the fastest growing RV class segments. Going one step further, the new 26,000-pound GVWR package sets a new best-in-class marker for motorhome chassis capabilities, providing a stunning 30,000-pound gross combined weight rating.
“Ford’s new heavy-duty F53 Super Duty chassis allows customers to continue bringing more of their home to their home on wheels,” said Shelly Smith, marketing manager, Ford F53 Super Duty motorhome. “Motorhome builders are adding more luxurious amenities such as granite countertops and slide outs so we met the challenge with the most capable RV chassis ever.”

Components such as the new heavy-duty steering system, class-leading Dana rear axle and suspension, increased capacity front axle and suspension, four-wheel anti-lock brakes and 50,000-PSI (pounds per square inch) ladder frame are all integral components to provide class-leading capabilities, ride comfort and predictable handling.

The 6.8-liter Triton™ V-10 engine’s best-in-class 362 horsepower and 457 foot-pounds of torque provided help support the largest motorhomes with plenty of power on the highway. The powerful engine is mated to Ford’s exclusive and proven TorqShift® automatic overdrive transmission.

The new, high-end F53 models also features a new, more robust steering system with a new steering gear that, combined the new suspension, improve ride and handling. Steering and handling are complimented by the 50-degree wheel cut (increased from 42 degrees) for a tighter turning radius. Specially tuned stabilizer bars, Bilstein shocks and higher-capability front and rear springs make the ride more comfortable.

“We engineered the top-of-the-line F-53 models to provide the same steering precision, ride comfort and quietness as the rest of the lineup – just at much higher loads,” said Laurie Call, chief engineer, F53 Super Duty. “We think the driving dynamics and comfort, combined with our quality record, will lead to more customers demanding Ford chassis from their dealers.”

Source: Ford Motor Company

Visitors to the 18th Annual Colorado RV Adventure Travel Show can find out all about RV travel when the show rolls into the Colorado Convention Center, downtown Denver, Wednesday, January 9 through Saturday, January 12, 2008.

Sponsored by the Colorado Recreational Vehicle Association, this Show features 2008 models from Colorado’s Front Range RV Dealers ranging from $500,000 and up Class A-motor homes to compact, lightweight easy-to-pull tent trailers, along with fifth-wheel models, truck campers and travel trailers.

Representatives from the region’s travel areas will be on hand to answer questions and suggest travel routes and stopovers. Comedians with a love of life on the road, Mike Faverman and Pat Mac appear on stage with “Ultimate Camp Cooking” for all show attendees.

Hours are 10:30 am to 9:30 pm daily. Admission is $8 for adults and $7 for seniors 62 and over. Children under 12 are free. Adult discount admission is available at the agievents.com online box office.

The Colorado RV Adventure Travel Show is produced by AGI Events. Call (303) 892-6800 for information or visit www.agievents.com/shows.

Source: AGI Events

In this photo, Pilgrim International Lamination Plant Manager Ken Mahaffa, and Co-founder and Chairman Dave Hoefer, stand next to the new composite RV.

According to Pilgrim International Inc.

Pilgrim International Inc. of Middlebury, Indiana, will introduce the RV industry’s first all-composite recreational vehicle in its 2008 product display booth 1060 at the annual Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) show in Louisville, Kentucky at the Kentucky Exposition Center, November 27-29, 2007.

Working closely with TekModo LLC, Pilgrim International will debut a display unit with floors, walls, roof and end caps completely Luan and plywood free and comprised entirely of CosmoLite, a thermoplastic fiber-reinforced composite. Additionally, Pilgrim International and TekModo will introduce the revolutionary exterior surface SpectraLite enhanced with Dupont Surlyn–the same extraordinarily impact resistant coating found on golf balls.
“We are adhering to our vision of continuous improvement to remain the forerunners in innovation of new technologies that will change the recreational vehicle industry.” Stated Pilgrim International Co-founder and Chairman Dave Hoefer.
The all composite Pilgrim International travel trailer debuting at the 2007 Louisville RVIA show is the first of its kind to utilize all composite construction with absolutely zero wood. This new technology enables Pilgrim International to manufacture completely seamless substrate floors, sidewalls, roofs and end-caps resulting in true uni-body strength for long lasting durability. In addition, the all-composite unit is fully water resistant and is impervious to rot, mildew and mold.

“The all-composite prototype unit displayed at this year’s RVIA show features a dramatic weight reduction over conventionally manufactured recreational vehicles,” stated Hoefer, “We are aspiring to build units weighing 15-to-20 percent less. This will improve fuel efficiency and will enable families to take more equipment. But more significantly, this dramatic weigh reduction will allow almost any vehicle to become a tow vehicle—from the family sedan, to the millions of mini vans on the road today. What was formerly towed by a one-ton truck will be towed by a three quarter ton truck, three quarter ton truck to a half ton—and so on. This technology opens up significant opportunities and markets for Pilgrim International dealers,” stated HoeferSource: Pilgrim International

Remember when movies were less than ten dollars a show and no cell phones were ringing in the middle of the feature? Now you can take that money spent on tickets and overpriced movie popcorn and put it towards an RV with a home theater.
The Gulf Stream RV Tour Master Constellation is the RV for those who love the movies as much as travel. The Constellation features the space and style of a luxury RV with a 46” LCD TV home theater.

Even the worst Hollywood sequel would be a dream to watch in chairs that look this comfy.

According to Gulf Stream…

This combination provides an amazing 46,860 GVWR. The Tour Master Constellation features a full-wall slide floor plan with beautifully appointed maple hardwood, radius cabinetry, produced by Gulf Stream’s new, state of the art Curve-tec custom cabinet division.

The Constellation’s innovative home theater suite displays a 46” LCD TV and provides a Sony Dream system and personal theater seating arrangement that makes this an entertainment center for everyone to envy and enjoy. When the entertainment has ended, your Master bedroom suite is just a push of the button away. Converting the suite from an entertainment showcase into the bedroom by automatically lowering the Residential King Murphy Bed.

The Tour Master Constellation will be showcased at the 45th Annual National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky from November 27th – November 29th in the Gulf Stream Coach display.

Source: Gulf Stream

Most RVs are designed to travel not too far from where the roads are made of asphalt. But what about the RVer who is looking to camp somewhere beyond RV parks and paved roads?

Xpedition Vehicles by EarthRoamer are designed with the adventerous RVer in mind. You can use an EarthRoamer like a typical RV, with hookups for power, water, and other amenities. You can also take an Earthroamer beyond the parking spot of your RV resort and travel to wilder terrain.

According to EarthRoamer…

The best one-word description of an EarthRoamer Xpedition Vehicle is freedom. EarthRoamer XVs give you the freedom to travel confidently and comfortably anywhere you want, whenever you want, without concern for the weather or season. It’s the freedom to head out on a trail in the middle of Baja to a pristine secluded beach. It’s the freedom to camp safely with all the comforts of home high in the mountains – in the middle of winter!

Earthroamer RVs are also designed to appeal to consumers who want a “greener” RV.

Preserving the environment for generations to come is very important to us so we design renewable energy sources like solar and biodiesel into our systems whenever possible. All of our vehicles utilize solar energy as a primary power source for lights and appliances. To us, respect for the environment also includes the need to respect wildlife and others in the environment so we design our vehicles to be fully operational without the need for a noisy generator.

A green RV? Prius owners might need to make more space in the driveway.

Source: Earthroamer

RV living is usually associated with good times and care-free living. Sometimes an RV is needed not for vacation fun, but as a refuge during a time of crisis.

RV Trade Digest reports that La Mesa RV Center along with Dealers Edge LLC and Tom Stinnett RV Freedom Center are pitching in to help victims of the California wildfires.

A tornado recently struck Nappanee, Indiana and damaged the homes of employees Gulf Stream RV. Lippert Components, an RV supplier, donated $10,000 in gift cards to help out the workers.

Source: RV Trade Digest

An RV with a fireplace? Some RV models do feature electric fireplaces. While you can’t burn logs or roast marshmallows with one, they do crank out the heat to keep you warm. One floorplan for the new Seville fifth wheel by Crossroads RV takes the mobile fireplace to a new level, using slate as a decoration. The Seville is CrossRoads’ newest line of fifth wheels and carries a Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) in the mid $50,000 range. Featuring aluminum framed constrution and a smooth fiberglass exterior, the Seville will be offered in six different floor plan models. One floor plan, model VF35CK, features an innovative “floor-to-ceiling” fireplace with the look of real slate along with a 42-inch high definition LCD television.

Crossroads RV will debut its new Seville fifth wheels at the 45th annual National Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) Show in Louisville, Kentucky, November 27-29. With a cozy interior like this, RVing in the dead of winter sounds great. Hot chocolate not included. Source: Crossroads RV and RV Trade Digest