tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20256680087199469582024-02-01T22:43:35.942-08:00Celebrity RVerUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-40194716080896532662013-02-25T13:16:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:15.546-07:00Sequestration looms over National ParksWASHINGTON – If the current stalemate in the nation's capital is not soon resolved, RVers and other visitors to National Parks may see some unpleasant fallout. The shadow comes as the Service releases information on how much the parks contribute to the national economy. <br /><br />Parks continued to be important economic engines for local communities, with visitors generating $30.1 billion in economic activity and supporting 252,000 jobs nationwide in 2011, according to a peer-reviewed report released today.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos.state.gov/libraries/czech-republic/119398/2013Events/Grand_Canyon_National_Park__Arizona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://photos.state.gov/libraries/czech-republic/119398/2013Events/Grand_Canyon_National_Park__Arizona.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>"Places like the Grand Canyon or the Statue of Liberty take our breath away and inspire us with their beauty and history, but our national parks also serve as anchors for our nation’s economy," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. "People who visit parks need transportation, places to stay, and meals to eat – all of which support businesses and provide jobs in local communities."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuw_tb_e49h3wr5tu-exAXOwCE7rUA-R5AZjDodiaxTDg5tnmGOjzbzrSG_L9yMr81RIE43D_iMbU7HbK3MIVG7DQnXR3Fa4DGhBuJeCLke-arSEjNtbucgCC52dRqJgcheMh9Uqq4yro/s1600/liberty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuw_tb_e49h3wr5tu-exAXOwCE7rUA-R5AZjDodiaxTDg5tnmGOjzbzrSG_L9yMr81RIE43D_iMbU7HbK3MIVG7DQnXR3Fa4DGhBuJeCLke-arSEjNtbucgCC52dRqJgcheMh9Uqq4yro/s200/liberty.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The statistics for 2011 are based on the spending of nearly 279 million national park visitors; more than one third of that total spending, or $13 billion, went directly into communities within 60 miles of a park. The numbers are on par with previous years.<br /><br />Interior Chief Salazar and director of the National Parks, Jonathan Jarvis warned that mandatory budget cuts under sequestration will result in reduced hours of operation for visitor centers, shorter seasons, and possibly closing campgrounds, hiking trails, and other recreational areas when there is insufficient staff to ensure the protection of visitors, staff and resources. Should Congress fail to act before the March 1 deadline, the public should expect reduced hours and services not only at America’s 398 national parks but also at the 561 national wildlife refuges and over 268 public land units.<br /><br />This week the Service also released its 2012 visitation numbers showing an increase of 3.8 million over the previous year for a total of 282.8 million visitors to the National Park Service’s 398 parks. <br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-53374533390507778502013-02-20T09:38:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:15.554-07:00Airstream Interstate keeps top Class B motorhome ranking for 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm51OLNHXgjepHZKxUiiKsgmVGlFQSKfS68F-f1EZIYal2tNNUkr6i4mroxc7gjVdRI3U2oZ3sR2HKVA_8VGWnAVudB4iA0aTOLQmk1aa9EnMLi-BPPqcj1CXkb3hE12mHnFGB7eC_KVTe/s1600/574-airstream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm51OLNHXgjepHZKxUiiKsgmVGlFQSKfS68F-f1EZIYal2tNNUkr6i4mroxc7gjVdRI3U2oZ3sR2HKVA_8VGWnAVudB4iA0aTOLQmk1aa9EnMLi-BPPqcj1CXkb3hE12mHnFGB7eC_KVTe/s320/574-airstream.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>JACKSON CENTER, Ohio, February 20, 2013 – Airstream announced today the brand’s Airstream Interstate, for the second year in a row, was named the number one selling Class B motorhome model in the U.S., according to Statistical Surveys Inc. In 2012, Airstream grew its market share in the touring coach segment by 20 percent and increased unit sales by 58 percent.<br /><br />“We are pleased but not surprised that the Interstate has held the top spot for two years running,” said Airstream CEO and President Bob Wheeler. “Our focus on delivering a premium experience for our luxury buyer has been very effective, and our strong dealer network has been the key to our success in the marketplace.”<br /><br />The Interstate, built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, fuses the legendary quality and design of Airstream with Mercedes-Benz’s comfort, control, and luxury. The unit continues the tradition of extraordinary design and handcrafted quality that has made Airstream a style classic for more than 80 years. The unique blend of these two premium brands yields a fuel-efficient, luxurious, safe, and comfortable way for travelers to explore the open road.<br /><br />Airstream had a record-setting 2012, marking it the best-selling year in the company’s 82-year history. <br /><br /><i><b>SOURCE</b>: Airstream news release and <a href="http://rvtravel.com/">RVtravel.com</a>.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-74147220397392725542013-02-20T08:54:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:15.561-07:00RV Hall of Fame announces 2013 inducteesELKHART, Ind., February 20, 2013 — The board of directors of the RV/MH Heritage Foundation (Foundation) has announced the names of those who will be inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame (Hall) as the Class of 2013. The induction ceremonies will be held at the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana, during the annual induction dinner on Monday, August 5, 2013.<br /><br />Darryl Searer, president of the Foundation, said, "It is my great pleasure to welcome these new inductees who will join the honored rolls of industry leaders, pioneers and innovators who have made significant contributions the RV and manufactured housing industries. I join their friends, family and colleagues in congratulating the following honorees." <br /><br /><b>Craig M. Bollman</b>, <i>a housing community developer/operator from Mobile Home Communities in Littleton, Colorado.</i><br />Beginning in the 1960s, he built his community into the first publicly traded land-lease community in the nation. For many years, he was the largest owner of manufactured home communities in the USA. He has served as the housing industry's representative to the Small Business Administration<br /><br /><b>Theresa M. Desfosses</b>, <i>a housing industry veteran of retail, communities, and manufacturing from State Manufactured Homes in Old Orchard Beach, Maine.</i><br />Since 1968 she has led her company in retail sales of both HUD code and modular homes and the development and management of communities providing over 600 home sites in Maine and New Hampshire. As President of Burlington Homes, a HUD code manufacturer, she is the only woman to be the active leader simultaneously in all three divisions (retail, community and manufacturing). She is a founding member of the Maine MHA and a board member of the Manufactured Association for Regulatory Reform <br /><br /><b>Kirwan Elmers</b>, <i>an RV Bus converter from Custom Coach in Columbus, Ohio.</i><br />Beginning with his father in 1955, for more than 50 years he has been a major innovator in the creation of luxury RVs from bus shells. Among the innovations he helped to engineer are, the first automatic transmission in an intercity bus shell (1956), first backup camera in a motor coach (1965), first cruise control in a motorcoach (1967) and the first quick change lounge area that automatically converted to a bedroom(1986). He served ten years as President of the FMCA Commercial Council<br /><br /><b>C.M. Fore</b> <i>(deceased)an RV manufacturer from Foretravel, Inc. in Nacadoches, Texas.</i><br />Since founding his company in 1967, he has been a leader in the evolution of luxury Type A motorhomes. He was among the first to use diesel engines in motorhomes, and among the first to build pusher chassis. He built the first uni-body motorhomes and pioneered the use of many household features such as multiple air conditioners, central vacuum systems, ice maker refrigerators and more. He led the concept of factory owned stores by creating factory outlets in major markets around the country.<br /> <br /><b>Lawrence C. Lippert,</b> <i>an RV and MH industry supplier from Lippert Components in Goshen, Indiana.</i><br />Beginning his company in 1955 with two employees, he built it into the largest component supplier in the industry. He provides every thing from frames and chassis to roof materials for both homes and RVs. His products have included axles, countertops, mattresses, draperies and furniture. Now a third generation family led company, he is recognized for building a generous corporate citizen employing over 4500 workers in 12 states.<br /><br /><b>Thomas P. Meyers</b>, <i>a housing manufacturer from Guerdon Industries in Louisville Kentucky. </i><br />For over 50 years he led several housing manufacturers to dynamic and varied growth. Guerdon Industries was the first to enter overseas markets in a significant way with plants and sales in South America, Asia and the Middle East. At its peak, Guerdon was operating 57 plants with 7,000 employees. At Commodore Homes he led 27 factories producing 20,000 floors per year. He founded Meyers and Associates and provided consulting services to manufacturers world wide.<br /><br /><b>Claude N. Palmer</b> <i>(deceased)a housing retailer from Palmer Homes in Waverly, New York.</i><br />Since 1971 he has provided a source of affordable housing to families in south central New York. He has received top retailer recognition from 7 manufacturers. He developed Holly Park Terrace with 99 oversize lots in 1970 and created Custom Modular Homes Company to build upscale state code modular homes. He was the first in his region to offer home/land financing packages.<br /><br /><b>Mathew Perlot</b> <i>(deceased)an RV manufacturer from Safari Motorhomes in Harrisburg, Oregon.</i><br />For more than 25 years he has been recognized as an innovator and leader in the motor home industry. He pioneered the concept of the affordably priced diesel pusher, and the automatic awning. He was honored as RV Executive of the Year in 1994. He took Safari and Beaver public in 1996 and eventually sold to Monaco.<br /><br /><b>Thomas Walworth,</b> <i>an RV and manufactured housing industry consultant and statistician from Statistical Surveys Inc. in Grand Rapids, Michigan</i><br />Under his leadership, his company has become the recognized official scorecard for sales in both the RV and manufactured housing industries in the US and Canada. He has served for over 20 years on the RVIA Market Information Committee. His data has become relied upon for marketing planning by every major company in either industry.<br /><br /><i><b>SOURCE</b>: RV/MH Hall of Fame news release and <a href="http://rvtravel.com/" target="_blank">RVtravel.com</a>. </i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-17492530164285664022013-02-14T07:25:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:15.568-07:00Winnebago RV tops motorhome industry in 2012 volume growth <br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">FOREST CITY, IOWA, February 14, 2013 — Winnebago Industries, Inc. has been recognized by </span>Statistical Surveys, Inc.,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> as the top performing motorhome manufacturer based for calendar year 2012 based on the largest volume and the largest overall growth in motorhome retail registrations. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the U.S. motorhome retail registration report issued yesterday, Winnebago Industries was listed as the top selling manufacturer for Class A and Class C motorhomes in calendar 2012, with market share of 20.6 percent compared to 19 percent the year before. Winnebago Industries’ volume growth was 16.1 percent above retail registrations during calendar year 2011 compared to industry growth of 7.3 percent.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the United States, Class A market segment, Winnebago Industries was also the top-selling market leader with 22.2 percent for calendar 2012. In addition, the company also led the U.S. Class A gas market segment with 24.2 percent market share, and grew its U.S. Class A diesel market share to 19.4 percent and U.S. Class C market share to 18.5 percent for calendar year 2012.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>SOURCE</b>: Winnebago News release and <a href="http://rvtravel.com/">RVtravel.com</a>.</i></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-85138853778536208372013-02-12T05:48:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:15.574-07:00Chicago RV Show to feature adventure filmmaker John Holod<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fQSRvBZLLf1tPucJ1TWxkNlVjlIuhEBrvW3z-MPiD0Gx0ylg0JvFf2kPvZYKUmKqUZsSQwKMffGVZOf0sy-ELNCVOq5UXCgbwOznKJkuexQLsQZe0oMuZu4-_H8_Vc6O_5Jf1pMOAb8i/s1600/573-holod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5fQSRvBZLLf1tPucJ1TWxkNlVjlIuhEBrvW3z-MPiD0Gx0ylg0JvFf2kPvZYKUmKqUZsSQwKMffGVZOf0sy-ELNCVOq5UXCgbwOznKJkuexQLsQZe0oMuZu4-_H8_Vc6O_5Jf1pMOAb8i/s1600/573-holod.jpg" /></a></div>CHICAGO, IL, February 12, 2013 — Cinematographer John Holod will present a program of highlights of his RV adventure films to attendees of this week's Chicago Camping at RV Show. The 45th annual event kicks off Wednesday at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. <b> </b><br /><br />Holod has traveled the world producing travelogues, but in recent years has focused on travel by recreational vehicle, with productions on most regions of North America. Highlights from his most popular series of DVDs, which spotlight RV travel to and in Alaska, will be included in his Chicago program.<br /><br />The veteran filmmaker released his newest DVD last month, "Route 66 RV Adventure." Holod will debut highlights of that production at the Chicago show, its first major audience of RV enthusiasts. "Driving Route 66 is right up there with the Alaska Highway on most RVers' bucket lists," said Holod. "Many RVers — if not most — do not realize that about 80 percent of the old highway is still there and can be easily driven with any RV. The film is especially relevant to the Chicago audience because that's where Route 66 began on way west to Santa Monica, California."<br /><br />Holod's programs will begin at the top of the hour throughout the show. More information about his productions, all of which are available on DVD, is available at Holod's website <a href="http://rvadventurevideos.com/">RVadventureVideos.com</a>. <br /><br /><i>SOURCE: RVtravel.com.</i><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-13988114435848091572013-02-01T14:06:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:15.580-07:00Route 66 RV dealer network expands into CanadaOVERLAND PARK, KS, January 31, 2013 – With ten new locations on board and another ten locations in the works, the ROUTE 66 RV Network is aggressively expanding in Canada. <br /><br />“We’ve been contacted by interested dealers from Vancouver Island to Nova Scotia” says Rob Merrill, ROUTE 66 partner. “What attracts these dealers is the unmatched opportunity to tie their local dealership to one common North American brand. <br /><br />The new ROUTE 66 Canadian dealers currently on board are:<br /><ul><li>Triangle RV Centre – Sylvia Thistle-Miller - Sidney, BC</li><li>Chemo RV Sales & Service – Jason Bell - 150 Mile House/Quesnel, BC</li><li>Kelowna RVs – Randy Woodside - Kelowna, BC</li><li>R.V. Lifestyles – Neil Freidenberg - Calgary, AB</li><li>Village RV – Darren Gelowitz - Regina, SK</li><li>Transcona Trailer Sales – Garth Bromley - Winnipeg, MB</li><li>Hiemstra Trailer Sales – Wayne Heimstra - London, ON</li><li>Arrkann Trailer & RV Center — Ken Freidenberg — Edmonton, AB <span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </li></ul>One of the founding dealers of The Network in Canada, Sylvia Thistle-Miller of Triangle RV in Sidney, BC believes ROUTE 66 not only serves dealer’s needs but also the interests of their customers. “Unlike other RV dealer networks, ROUTE 66 seeks to add value to our customers’ experience after they buy an RV. They can get savings at nearly 500 KOA campgrounds in North America, traveling discounts through the ROUTE 66 RV Club and the peace of mind that comes with the new ROUTE 66 roadside/tTech24 program.”<br /><br />Additional dealers will be added to the ROUTE 66 RV Network in Canada with the recommendation from these and other future member dealers. Each dealership’s territory will be clearly defined to ensure every dealership enjoys market exclusivity in offering The Network’s unique dealer and consumer program benefits in the U.S. and Canada. <br /><br />The ROUTE 66 RV Network is the largest network of RV dealers in North America with nearly 150 locations in 44 states and provinces.<br /><br /><i><b>SOURCE</b>: Route 66 news release and <a href="http://rvtravel.com/">RVtravel.com</a>. </i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-2624757453362439412013-01-28T06:00:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:15.585-07:00Quartzsite RV Show wraps up 30th annual event<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ocEJvgDZqH7Qp7FRjvyDML0nvgBD4J7Wj05VIQyvrKMtcIm7lKbC1BbI4HmIEJ6hiCcUXO-PYdCiDwW62wonpLyp-P0xswhb1_UdHThhIrUFPL79i6EOVhbbI3F5KtqV_W8yNQctejEw/s1600/photo(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ocEJvgDZqH7Qp7FRjvyDML0nvgBD4J7Wj05VIQyvrKMtcIm7lKbC1BbI4HmIEJ6hiCcUXO-PYdCiDwW62wonpLyp-P0xswhb1_UdHThhIrUFPL79i6EOVhbbI3F5KtqV_W8yNQctejEw/s320/photo(7).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don Kuk of ProtectMyPapers.com at his booth.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b>By Chuck Woodbury</b><br /><i>RVtravel.com</i><br />QUARTZSITE, Ariz., January 28, 2013 — Depending upon who you talked to, attendance at this year's Quartzsite RV Show was either up or down from last year. The show ended yesterday after a nine-day run.<br /><br />"Attendance was up from last year," said promoter Kenny King, "but not what it was years ago." Vendors, about 350 all together, most of them in a 63,000-square-foot tent two football fields long, offered mixed reports. "Our sales were better than the last two years combined," said Eric Davis of Eric's RV Performance Center, who has attended for 18 years.<br /><br />"I think attendance was up from last year, and our sales were up," said Daryl Lawrence of Lawrence RV Accessories. Len Bunts, owner of RV Special Things, sold LED lights. "Our sales were down about 45 percent this year," he said, "but it's probably because there were 22 booths selling LED lights. There were 17 last year and 12 the year before that." At Canada's Northwest Territories booth, requests for travel guides were down. But they were up at Nevada Tourism's booth.<br /><br />Harvest Host's Don and Kim Greene, attending for their third year, thought crowds were off from last year. Mark Silver of Industrial Lock and Hardware said his sales passed last year's halfway through the show.<br /><br />This year's sole RV dealer, Paul Evert's RV County, was happy with the event, where brisk sales were about half towables and half motorhomes. "Sales were good, but they can always be better," said GM Jim Hardy.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKt89scb7qYVBlr9ivCu7cMLpVkn7BSFe7jZKclz0HaSTYMFqAloKzpqzbfollTH_SoS4OOTKkPzU4kELCwaZ3vW19gS2vgKYQTvGrJ0VeeBTfgjRXVG_Tghm3byEyoQy7fuxmGbuuAFv/s1600/570-kenny2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKt89scb7qYVBlr9ivCu7cMLpVkn7BSFe7jZKclz0HaSTYMFqAloKzpqzbfollTH_SoS4OOTKkPzU4kELCwaZ3vW19gS2vgKYQTvGrJ0VeeBTfgjRXVG_Tghm3byEyoQy7fuxmGbuuAFv/s320/570-kenny2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Promoter Kenny King</td></tr></tbody></table>The annual event spans 20 acres on King's property in "metro" Quartzsite, a dusty splotch of civilization at the intersection of I-10 and U.S. 95 east of Blythe, Calif. In the summer, when temperatures routinely top 100, the town shrinks to about 3,500. But during the winter and its normally fair weather it can swell to 100,000, mostly RVers squatting on vast expanses of government land.<br /><br />Show attendees come from Southern California, Phoenix, and judging from license plates, half of Minnesota attended this year. Much of the show's appeal: free admission, free parking and free camping on the federal lands that adjoin the show site. Because there's no gate admissions to count, any report of attendance is a ballpark guess. Most put it at 100,000 to 150,000.<br /><br />This was the 30th year of the show, and not the last. "I've got at least 10 years left in me," said King. <br /><br /><i>Take a <a href="http://rvingquartzsite.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-visit-to-2013-quartzsite-rv-show.html" target="_blank"><b>two-minute video tour</b></a> of the 2013 show with RVtravel.com editor Chuck Woodbury.</i><br /><br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-13786271565722215982013-01-18T07:51:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:15.591-07:00RV video channel passes two million viewsThe YouTube channel for RVtravel.com has passed two million views and is attracting about 100,000 new views a month.<br /><br />"The pace is speeding up now that we're posting a daily newsletter," said RVtravel.com editor Chuck Woodbury. "We have often included a video in our weekly RVtravel.com newsletter, which we've published for more than 11 years. But we're including one in every issue of our new weekday publication <a href="http://rvtravel.com/?q=daily-rv-tips-issue471939" target="_blank">RV Daily Tips</a>. Each one offers concise advice from an RVer, usually a well-known expert, about some aspect of RVing.<br /><br />"For those of us with roots in print publishing, being able to include a video in an issue of a periodical -- in this case online -- seems almost too good to be true. I dreamed about doing something like this years ago when I published a printed magazine, but it seemed like science fiction."<br /><br />Articles and videos from each issue of RV Daily Tips are <a href="http://rvdailytips.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">indexed for future reference</a>. "As we add videos this easily searchable archive will become a convenient way for an RVer to get concise advice."<br /><br />Although most of the videos are provided by paid freelancers, Woodbury produces many himself. He is currently on the road in the Southwest with his motorhome for six weeks, writing stories and videotaping advice segments for future newsletters. "I plan to be busy at the big Quartzsite RV show coming up later this month," he said.<br /><br />Woodbury said that other videos hosted on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/RVtravel" target="_blank">RVtravel.com YouTube channel</a> are embedded on the company's other websites and blogs including <a href="http://rvtechtips.com/">RVtechTips.com</a>.<br /><br /><i><b>SOURCE</b>: RVtravel.com news release</i>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-78829444859725988882013-01-15T11:34:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:15.598-07:00RVers may benefit from proposed Yosemite plan<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56WtwEA6UVa4Z1F152zyiMZT5XNN1dZaCktSlDXm8ZiV8mAZQqksav2mDAVdbWoVdmCvkS7cXki1BkWKrLqHPFEOpPx78WBhXSopoFESRWVBK5YYVKddVLcKokLhw6wdlFaigM1dNENc/s1600/Yosemite+Panorama+NPF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56WtwEA6UVa4Z1F152zyiMZT5XNN1dZaCktSlDXm8ZiV8mAZQqksav2mDAVdbWoVdmCvkS7cXki1BkWKrLqHPFEOpPx78WBhXSopoFESRWVBK5YYVKddVLcKokLhw6wdlFaigM1dNENc/s400/Yosemite+Panorama+NPF.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">National Park Foundation photo</td></tr></tbody></table><br />YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA -- Is the nation's third most-visited national park being "loved to death"? If so, the National Park Service is trying to work out a plan to keep Yosemite National Park breathing. After two lawsuits against the agency to force it to come up with a management plan were successful, park officials are hoping their third attempt will be the charm. <br /><br />At the center of the issue, traffic congestion in the Yosemite Valley. In a story carried by the <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2013/01/yosemite-national-park-plan-would-ease-crowding-traffic.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Los Angeles Times</i></a>, the Service is cast as trying to keep environmentalists happy, and balancing that against the public's demand for recreation. The Park Service is not attempting to suggest capping the number of visitors the valley receives--which can hit nearly 20,000 on a busy summer tourist day--but it is suggesting some changes. <br /><br />Among those changes: Shutting down rentals of bicycles and rafts, eliminating an ice skating rink, and stopping commercial horseback rides. An analysis of the Park Service' "preferred alternative" plan by rvtravel.com staff shows the plan would have impact on RVers. Under that plan, the number of campsites available to park visitors would be significantly increased by 28-percent throughout the park, with a 37-percent increase in the Yosemite Valley alone. To manage crowds, the park would continue to use a reservation system for overnight guests. <br /><br />For more detailed information on the proposed plans, visit the Park Service websites <a href="http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/trp.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/mrp.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-82238892448947482862013-01-07T10:44:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:15.604-07:00California resort city may restrict RV parking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://news.carlsbadca.gov/pr/ca/artwork/4/2/3/1/8/242318/RV_photo-c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://news.carlsbadca.gov/pr/ca/artwork/4/2/3/1/8/242318/RV_photo-c.jpg" /></a></div>CARLSBAD, CA -- Carlsbad's City Council has a new ordinance to consider that would restrict overnight parking of recreational and oversized vehicles citywide. The ordinance is in response to complaints by residents, visitors and business owners associated with overnight parking of RVs.<br /><br />A draft of the ordinance is available on the <a href="http://www.carlsbadca.gov/services/traffic/operations/Pages/RVOrdinance.aspx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">city website</a>. <br /><br />City representative Bryan Jones said the ordinance has become necessary because, "Overnight parking of RVs on city streets has resulted in many problems and complaints, including RV owners dumping trash and sewage on city streets." He noted that other coastal cities restrict overnight parking by RVs and have successfully introduced parking permits to address the problem.<br /><br />In October 2012 the City Council directed staff to draft an ordinance that would prohibit overnight parking of RVs within the City of Carlsbad between the hours of 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. The ordinance would include exceptions to accommodate the needs of city residents and guests. Those exceptions include: <br /><br />· Yearly residential permit: City residents who own an RV may apply for a free yearly permit to park their vehicle on a public street at their residence for up to 72 hours. This would allow owners to load and unload vehicles before and after a trip. To reduce impacts on neighbors, residents would be limited to four such three-day allowances per calendar month. Permit holders would be expected to abide by the terms of the permit at the risk of losing the permit, receiving a citation, and having their vehicle towed.<br /><br />· Temporary 72 hour permit: Carlsbad residents may apply for a temporary permit to allow a guest to park an RV on a public street at their residence. This permit, also free, would allow residents to have guests with an RV park at their residence for up to 72 hours, six times a year, with a minimum of 24 hours between visits.<br /><br />· Commercial property permit: Hotels or motels could allow guests to park RVs next to these inns on public streets if the RV cannot be accommodated in the property’s parking lot. The city would issue each hotel and motel reusable permits that they can give to guests. This exception would apply only while the RV occupants are paying guests of the hotel or motel.<br /><br />Jones said the vast majority of RV owners are law-abiding and recognize that one of the costs of owning an oversize vehicle includes storage, either on one’s private property or in a storage facility. He said the ordinance isn’t meant to discourage RV owners from visiting Carlsbad, and pointed out that South Carlsbad State Beach and private campgrounds have space for residents and tourists in RVs.<br /><br />"The purpose of this ordinance is to let law abiding residents and their guests enjoy their RVs in a way that does not negatively affect their neighborhood’s health, safety and quality of life," said Jones.<br /><br />The City Council is tentatively scheduled to consider introducing the ordinance on Jan. 29. If the ordinance is approved it would be brought back for adoption at a subsequent meeting and go into effect 30 days after its adoption. The city is inviting feedback about the ordinance are asked to put comments in writing and send via email to transportation@carlsbadca.gov<br /><br />Source: City of Carlsbad<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-43604210158513580922012-12-31T06:00:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:15.610-07:00Santa Barbara RV park offers stays in vintage Airstream trailers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGL3m8k6WjHZkq9wtKcBISXk7fku7Lfo4MlQtohQFnTZSrJNHrcLtp2ADm1wnu3PasS3R5g3NTjTRbLEaNQl9sIa86fteZBQirZhnyiSJe_yzlwrNyrxD65JtFj-PkHC2ZF_LR9t5EnQ6J/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGL3m8k6WjHZkq9wtKcBISXk7fku7Lfo4MlQtohQFnTZSrJNHrcLtp2ADm1wnu3PasS3R5g3NTjTRbLEaNQl9sIa86fteZBQirZhnyiSJe_yzlwrNyrxD65JtFj-PkHC2ZF_LR9t5EnQ6J/s400/Picture+1.png" width="400" /></a></div>SANTA BARBARA, Calif., (Dec. 31, 2012) -- A new RVing experience awaits here with the opening of the SB Auto Camp, where visitors stay in smartly renovated Airstream trailers.<br /><br />For the past month, neighbors have been admiring the re-landscaped park entrance that features four vintage Airstreams. The SB Auto Camp is part of an existing RV park that houses 30 other trailers from varying manufacturers. Several dozen local residents live full-time at the park.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J4uEBThGq0D2pdCE78baMKCnM20Xhx899J08MnfbLI9eu4WSXFd4uupA6x-HaBsfaHC2CCFfi7mwLNNHM62yBmoaqMPivti6cHFm39ZsYSV5te2MSsKubu3KZWlGfUeIlpH4YXYyVGN0/s1600/Picture+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J4uEBThGq0D2pdCE78baMKCnM20Xhx899J08MnfbLI9eu4WSXFd4uupA6x-HaBsfaHC2CCFfi7mwLNNHM62yBmoaqMPivti6cHFm39ZsYSV5te2MSsKubu3KZWlGfUeIlpH4YXYyVGN0/s320/Picture+2.png" width="320" /></a></div>The SB Auto Camp is a 15-minute walk from the historic Santa Barbara Mission, and a short bike ride southeast of Santa Barbara’s bustling downtown shopping district. Major shopping centers are within a half mile, and quaint local shops, services and eateries are next door and across the street.<br /><br />The Airstreams were hand-renovated by local architect Matthew Hofmann’s custom renovation firm HofArc. “Each Airstream has been uniquely designed to connect yesterday with today without giving up modern comforts,” said Hofmann.<br /><br />Each trailer comfortably sleeps four and features all new, all electric appliances, home-style fixtures and creature comforts found in luxury lodging. Each one also comes with its own outdoor barbecue grill and complimentary use of two retro-styled Huffy beach cruiser bicycles and riding helmets.<br /><br />Nightly rates are $118 during a grand opening special at <a href="http://www.sbautocamp.com/">SBAutoCamp.com</a>.<br /><br /><i><b>SOURCE</b>: <a href="http://rvtravel.com/">RVtravel.com</a></i><br /><i> (permission to reprint granted if credit provided to RVnewsService.com</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-46510028960393657772012-12-27T12:11:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:15.708-07:00RV park chairman Jim Rogers of KOA to appear on TV's Undercover Boss. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxY1ok6a4zEqjpiHtZBg3gVdKjsVDowtvlp_5jcN7k-QShdO7F9TVO24CRstZmQSlo6P3Ba7E5_1TxYGMCYHwFywOMpPSmQWe-yGJc8cVOSLGgYf7PuGGEVbCvm4zbSXxMSy3gF3uKJCZ/s1600/jim_rogers2-200x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxY1ok6a4zEqjpiHtZBg3gVdKjsVDowtvlp_5jcN7k-QShdO7F9TVO24CRstZmQSlo6P3Ba7E5_1TxYGMCYHwFywOMpPSmQWe-yGJc8cVOSLGgYf7PuGGEVbCvm4zbSXxMSy3gF3uKJCZ/s1600/jim_rogers2-200x300.jpg" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Jim Rogers, CEO of Kampgrounds of America Inc., will assume the persona of Tim Bickford, an out-of-work accountant from San Francisco on the CBS TV series “Undercover Boss,” Friday, Jan. 11 (8-9 p.m., ET/PT).</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Rogers said he welcomed the chance to go undercover, taking on the persona of a “front line” KOA employee. “’Undercover Boss’ is great entertainment, but it also does a great service by taking the general public behind the scenes of popular companies,” Rogers said. “Every episode is a case study in business management.</span></span></span> </span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;"> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">“My front line assignments on ‘Undercover Boss’ affirmed the importance of creating KOA systems that maximize the time that campground staff members can spend with guests,” Rogers said in a news release. “I learned that the great people we have on the front lines can always use more time to better know and serve our campers. Genuine engagement, ultimately, is what it’s all about. KOA campground owners and their staffs are the real heroes of KOA.”</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Rogers has been at the helm of KOA for 12 years. The company has 489 locations in the U.S. and Canada.</span></span></span> </span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;"> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Each week, "Undercover Boss" follows a different executive as he or she goes an undercover mission to examine the inner workings of their companies. While working alongside their employees, they see the effects their decisions have on others, where the problems lie within their organizations and get an up-close look at both the good and the bad while discovering and rewarding the unsung heroes who make their companies run.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;"> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; padding: 0;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><b>SOURCE</b>: Kampgrounds of America, Inc, and <a href="http://rvtravel.com/">RVtravel.com</a>.</i></span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-69278381993749058132012-12-14T08:12:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:15.806-07:00Motorhome owner association FMCA announces 2013 rallies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R4FIsKHtrowZBY-wZfM4GAKLB4krtd3coXjdzOsNu2cwCz0fEzVtldHEoHzBDWiPqv-CA3kB8fnpcq8gmq8B0F-3cPlkti2SJuIWS7Ab3XGY4gFmwAA1RUPcGTU8L9r60LSRcpdVfxBq/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_R4FIsKHtrowZBY-wZfM4GAKLB4krtd3coXjdzOsNu2cwCz0fEzVtldHEoHzBDWiPqv-CA3kB8fnpcq8gmq8B0F-3cPlkti2SJuIWS7Ab3XGY4gFmwAA1RUPcGTU8L9r60LSRcpdVfxBq/s200/images.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The Family Motor Coach Association, FMCA, has announced its rally dates for 2013. FMCA is the largest national association of motorhome owners and is based in Cincinnati.<br /><br />During FMCA area rallies and family reunions, motorhome owners socialize and enjoy seminars, entertainment and other scheduled events. Motorhome manufacturers and RV display product, giving attendees the chance to shop for a variety of motorhomes and RV-related merchandise all in one location.<br /><br /><b>FMCA’s 2013 Area Rally dates and locations include:</b><br />• Western Area Rally, Jan. 9-13, Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival grounds in Indio, Calif.<br />• Southeast Area Rally, Feb. 6-10, Hernando County Airport, Brooksville, Fla.<br />• INTO Area Rally (International Area), March 20-23, Lazydays, Tucson, Ariz.<br />• Midwest Area Rally, July 24-27, Delaware County Fairgrounds, Manchester, Iowa.<br />• Northwest Area Rally, Aug. 8-11, Linn County Fair & Expo Center, Albany, Ore.<br />• South Central Area Rally (Six-State Rally), Sept. 11-15, Missouri State Fairgrounds, Sedalia, Mo.<br />• Great Lakes Area Rally, Sept. 18-22, 2013, Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds, Goshen, Ind.<br />• Eastern Area Rally, Oct. 9-13, York Expo Center, York, Pa.<br /><br />In addition to the area rallies, FMCA’s 88th Family Reunion & Motorhome Showcase will be held June 19-22, at CAM-PLEX Multi-Events Facilities in Gillette, Wyo. This will be FMCA’s first visit to Gillette for an international event and it is especially significant, as it will mark the culmination of FMCA’s 50th anniversary celebration. The association was founded in July 1963 by 26 “house car”-owning families.<br /><br /><i><b>SOURCE</b>: FMCA news release and <a href="http://rvtravel.com/">RVtravel.com</a>. </i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-74023512624684874592012-12-12T14:46:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:15.904-07:00RV refrigerator maker Norcold subject of class action lawsuit <div class="MsoNormal">December 12, 2012 -- Consumers in California and Florida have filed a lawsuit alleging that the manufacturers of Norcold brand gas absorption refrigerators, used in RVs and boats, knowingly sold defective refrigerators that posed a serious fire risk but hid that information from the public and federal regulators. The class action lawsuit, filed today in Orange County, Calif., seeks relief on behalf of all persons who purchased or owned RVs or boats in California and Florida equipped with three models of Norcold-brand gas absorption refrigerators. The complaint names Norcold, Inc., Thetford Corporation and Dyson-Kissner-Moran Corporation (DKM) as defendants.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The lawsuit alleges that since 1999, Norcold’s refrigerators have caused at least 2,000 fires resulting in millions of dollars in property damage, personal injury and death. The refrigerators contain flammable gases under high pressure, including hydrogen. The gases are heated by electricity or propane to circulate and provide the refrigeration effect. Fires are caused when defects in the refrigerator design release the flammable gases, which can then explosively ignite and spread quickly through the refrigerator compartment and into the passenger area of the RV. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The lawsuit alleges that the companies knew of the potential fire hazard associated with its refrigerators, but rather than eliminate the design and manufacturing defects or provide an adequate warning of the potential safety risks to users of the product they tried to conceal and minimize these dangers through a series of limited manufacturer-initiated product safety recalls through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), beginning in 2000. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">In each product safety recall, Norcold represented that there was a single failure modality in a limited portion of their product population. They provided a retrofit that would fix that defect, rendering the refrigerators safe to use. But in truth, the lawsuit alleges, the refrigerators had a number of different failures that were common to all of the product lines, information that was never adequately disclosed to NHTSA or users of the product, nor remedied by the retrofit campaigns. Further it’s alleged that the devices provided by the companies to “fix” the defects were not only ineffective to remedy the propensity of the refrigerators to cause fires, but were designed, when triggered, to render the refrigerators inoperable and unrepairable, requiring users to purchase new refrigerators that contained the same design and manufacturing defects as the originals, and which had the same propensity to cause fires. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">According to Caleb Marker, one of the attorneys who represent the RV owners, "One of the fundamental purposes of this litigation is to hold Norcold and its co-defendants accountable for putting an unsafe product into the marketplace when they were fully aware that the product posed a serious risk of devastating fires that cause property damage, injury or death to consumers. It is also unfair for defendants to force consumers to bear the cost of remedying the design defects inherent in their products.” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Consumers can get more information or a copy of the complaint at <a href="http://www.zrclassaction.com/" target="_blank">www.zrclassaction.com</a>. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-44165631033176114382012-12-12T09:08:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:16.001-07:00Florida RV resort talent contest has $5,000 prize<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfFVPU-kWcwMiR5NHabrvkzr2tEeevCeAZovGZShHlgps2JEYQy8x8qHexydB8Gh4OnldBUrDjFmN3fCMqfqwu33KKax1XdPXozFVaKbe4BgJ_gOwivnd68xiGKEI6oyXKsInfmYrjlpg/s1600/564-carefree-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfFVPU-kWcwMiR5NHabrvkzr2tEeevCeAZovGZShHlgps2JEYQy8x8qHexydB8Gh4OnldBUrDjFmN3fCMqfqwu33KKax1XdPXozFVaKbe4BgJ_gOwivnd68xiGKEI6oyXKsInfmYrjlpg/s1600/564-carefree-logo.jpg" /></a></div>RVers who sing, dance and play musical instruments might want to consider staying at a Carefree RV Resort in Florida this winter. There could be a hefty payoff.<br /><br />The RV resort chain, with 30 properties in Florida, will host its second annual Carefree's Got Talent competition in March. Participants who stay at any of the resorts during the winter snowbird season will have a chance to compete for a $5,000 grand prize.<br /><br />Preliminary competitions will take place at each Carefree RV Resort property in Florida in February and early March. The winners will then advance to a final competition.<br /><br />The talent competition will be followed by a rally on the evening of March 20, which extends into the next morning. The cost of the rally is $35 per RV and includes dinner on the 20th and breakfast on the 21st.<br /><br />Last year’s competition brought together 1,200 snowbirds from all over the state. Kenny Channels from Riptide RV Resort in Key Largo took home the $5,000 grand prize by performing hits from George Strait and the Zac Brown Band.<br /><br />Details on the talent show and the rally will be announced at each Carefree RV Resort after the first of the year. Only Carefree residents who stay at a park for three months or longer during the 2012/2013 season will eligible to participate. However, all are encouraged to attend the show and participate in the rally.<br /><br />Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Carefree RV Resorts offers a variety of RV parks throughout Florida, Texas, New Jersey, California and Massachusetts. For more information, visit Carefree online at <a href="http://www.carefreervresorts.com/">www.carefreervresorts.com</a>.<br /><br /><i><b>SOURCE</b>: Carefree Resorts news release and <a href="http://rvtravel.com/">RVtravel.com</a>. </i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-73740211207441987202012-12-04T10:32:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:16.100-07:00Top RV parks announced by GuestRated.com<span style="font-family: inherit;">LAS VEGAS, Nev., Dec. 4, 2012 – Forty-two campgrounds, RV parks and resorts earned all around “A” grades in the fourth annual consumer satisfaction survey of campgrounds, RV parks and resorts. The top parks were announced Friday during the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds’ annual Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.<br /><br />More than 30,000 camping and RV enthusiasts participated in the online survey, which evaluated guest experiences at 3,200 campgrounds, RV parks and resorts that are affiliated with the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC).<br /><br />“Consistently earning an overall ‘A’ grade from guests is difficult, and our 42 winners this year represent less than two percent of all of the nation’s campgrounds. But what is even more impressive is that nine of this year’s winners have also received this award for five years in a row,” said Bob MacKinnon, president and CEO of GuestRated.com, the Murrieta, Calif.-based company that conducted the online survey on behalf of ARVC.<span style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">The GuestRated.com national online survey program was launched in February, 2008 in collaboration with ARVC. Consumers are invited to submit their own reviews of campgrounds and RV resorts they have recently visited by finding the park’s page on <a href="http://www.gocampingamerica.com/">www.GoCampingAmerica.com</a>.</span></span><br /> <br /><div style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The 42 parks earning “A” grades this year are listed below. They include:</span><br /><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Acres of Wildlife Campground in Steep Falls, Maine, a four-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.acresofwildlife.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Anaheim Resort RV Park, </span>Anaheim, Calif., a two-time “A” grade winner, <a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.anaheimresortrvpark.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Ashland Resort, Northfork, W.V., a three-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.atvresort.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Beav</span>er Dam Campground, Berwick, Me., a first-time “A” grade winner, <a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.beaverdamcampground.com</span></a></span><br /> </li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Buffalo Lake Camping Resort, Montello, Wis., a three-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.buffalolakecamping.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Buttonwood Campground, Mexico, Penn., a five-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.buttonwoodcamp.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Camp A Way, Lincoln, Neb., a two-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.campaway.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Chalk Creek Campground & RV Park, Nathrop, Colo. a four-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.chalkcreek-campground.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Cherry Hill Park, College Park, Md., a four-time </span>“A” grade winner, <a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.cherryhillpark.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Cross Creek Camping Resort, Delaware, Ohio, a two-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.alumcreek.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Custer State Park, Custer, S.D., </span>a first-time “A” grade winner, <a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/<wbr></wbr>directory/custer/</span></a></span><br /> </li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">D & W Lake Camping and RV Park, Champaign, Ill., a three-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.dwlake.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Dogwood Acres Campground, Newville, Penn., a five-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.dogwoodcamping.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Far Horizons 49er Village RV Resort, Plymouth, Calif., a first-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.49ervillage.com</span></a></span><br /> </li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Gettysburg Campground, Gettysburg, Penn., a four-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.gettysburgcampground.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Kalyumet Camping & Cabins, Lucinda, </span>Penn., a two-time “A” grade winner, <a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.kalyumet.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Lake George RV Park, Lake George, N.Y., a five-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.lakegeorgervpark.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Las Vegas RV Res</span>ort, Las Vegas, Nev., a three-time “A” grade winner, <a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.lasvegasrvresort.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, Yankton, S.D., a first-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/<wbr></wbr>directory/lewis-and-clark/</span></a></span><br /> </li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Magnolia RV Park & Campground, Kinards, S.C., a three-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.magnoliarvparksc.com</span></a></span><br /> </li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Meadowcliff Lodge &</span> RV Resort, Coleville, Calif., a four-time “A” grade winner, <a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.meadowcliff.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Misty River Cabins & RV Resort, Walland, Tenn., a five-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.mist</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">yriverrv.com</span></a></span><br /> </li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Moose River Campground, Saint Johnsbury, Vt., a two-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.mooserivercampground.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Mountain Vista Campground, East Stroudsburg, Penn., a four-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">www.mtnvistacampground.com</span></a></span></span></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Myrtle Beach Travel Park, Myrtle Beach, S.C., a two-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.myrtlebeachtravelpark.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Ocean Lakes Famil</span>y Campground, Myrtle Beach, S.C., a five-time “A” grade winner, <a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.oceanlakes.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Pioneer Campground, Laporte, Penn., a five-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.pioneercam</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">pground.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Pismo Coast Village RV Resort, Pismo Beach, Calif., a three-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.pismocoastvillage.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Pontchartrain Landing, New Orleans, La., a four-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.pontchartrainlanding.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Red Apple Campground, Kennebunkport, Me., a four-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.redapplecampground.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Rivers Edge Campground, Connellsv</span>ille, Penn., a first-time “A” grade winner, <a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.campriversedge.com</span></a></span><br /> </li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Shadow Hills RV Resort, Indio, Calif., a first-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.shadowhillsrvre</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">sort.com</span></a></span><br /> </li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Snowy Peaks RV Park, Buena Vista, Colo., a two-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.southhavenfamilycg.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">South Haven Family Campground, South Haven, Mich., a five-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.southhavenfamilycg.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Sunny Brook RV Resort, South Haven, Mich., a five-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.sunnybrookrvresort.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">The Springs at Borrego RV Resort and Go</span>lf Course, Borrego Springs, Calif., a three-time “A” grade winner, <a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.springsatborrego.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">The Vineyards Campground & Cabins, Grapevine, Texas, a five-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.vineyardscampground.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">West Canada Creek Campsites, Poland, N.Y., a four-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.westcanadacreekcampsites.<wbr></wbr>com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Willow Tree Resort, Longs, S.C., a four-t</span>ime “A” grade winner, <a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.willowtreerv.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Wine Country RV Resort, Paso Robles, Calif., a first-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.winecountryrvresort.com</span></a></span><br /> </li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Wishon Village RV Park, Shaver Lake, Calif., a two-time “A” grade winner, <a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.wishonvillage.com</span></a> </span></span></li></ul></ul><ul><ul style="list-style: disc;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Yellowstone Holiday Campground, West Yellowstone, Mont., a two-time </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">“</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">A</span><span style="text-decoration: none;">”</span><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="text-decoration: none;">grade winner, </span><a href="mailto:bob@guestrated.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-decoration: underline;">www.yellowstoneholiday.com</span></a></span></li></ul></ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-71976541917465760452012-11-29T09:50:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:16.207-07:00Fleetwood RV shows off motorhome changes for 2013LOUISVILLE, Ky, Nov. 29, 2012 -- Fleetwood RV, Inc., a leading producer of Class A and Class C recreational vehicles, has highlighted new floor plans for three of its Class A Diesel models, the Discovery, Expedition and Excursion, at the 50th Annual RVIA National RV Trade Show in Louisville.<br /><br />The Excursion, a low-profile, mid-entry diesel pusher, offers new 35B and 35C floor plans, which feature a wrap-around galley with counter extension, a mid-coach 18 cubic foot residential refrigerator and an extendable dining table credenza with ample storage. The bedroom features a wardrobe slide-out and a 32 inch Sony LCD HDTV.<br /><br />The popular 40X floor plan is now available in the Expedition which includes a mid-coach 40 inch Sony LCD HDTV entertainment center. The coach offers multiple furniture options, including an L-shaped sofa, a side-aisle single bathroom and an available king bed.<br /><br />The high-end Discovery 40E floor plan offers a bath and a half with a "Super Shower," a Villa L-shaped transformer sofa, a large galley Corian backsplash and spice shelf and ultra-wide pantry storage and display cabinet. The 40E also includes a freestanding dinette with a hide-away 46 inch Sony LCD HDTV and an available king bed.<br /><br /><i><b>SOURCE</b>: Fleetwood news release and <a href="http://rvtravel.com/">RVtravel.com</a>.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-43593795996844379152012-11-19T06:00:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:16.305-07:00Feds list free access days for 2013<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/US-DeptOfTheInterior-Seal.svg/600px-US-DeptOfTheInterior-Seal.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/US-DeptOfTheInterior-Seal.svg/600px-US-DeptOfTheInterior-Seal.svg.png" width="200" /></a>WASHINGTON, DC -- The Department of Interior has published its list of free entrance days for 2013. On those days regular gate fees will be waived for public lands. <br /><br /><b>January 21, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. </b><br />Agencies participating include National Parks, Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service. <br /><b><br /></b><b>April 22 - 26, National Park Week</b>.<br />All National Parks. <br /><br /><b>June 8, Great Outdoors Day.</b><br />All US Forest Service locations. <br /><br /><b>August 25, National Park Service Birthday.</b><br />All National Parks. <br /><br /><b>September 28, National Public Lands Day.</b><br />Agencies participating include National Parks, Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and the US Forest Service. <br /><b><br /></b><b>November 9 - 11, Veterans Day weekend.</b><br />Agencies participating include National Parks, Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the US Forest Service. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-23996038367073976592012-11-15T18:53:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:16.408-07:00Holiday Rambler RV celebrates 60 years, introduces three new models<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXVwX8jLJ9uW9gXUu8poyTkRIp_koLrlV39jx2TEiqeWIm-eyExJaoMs4knGwd5ctOqtua2Lfc_9CsZKiIfBSSrP7KmXC5R7Qa8JlHR77b5FRI_uXKb4zhH6N8p4bkPAyWKXs6eB3sBkw/s1600/1954+Holiday+Rambler+Travel+Trailer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXVwX8jLJ9uW9gXUu8poyTkRIp_koLrlV39jx2TEiqeWIm-eyExJaoMs4knGwd5ctOqtua2Lfc_9CsZKiIfBSSrP7KmXC5R7Qa8JlHR77b5FRI_uXKb4zhH6N8p4bkPAyWKXs6eB3sBkw/s320/1954+Holiday+Rambler+Travel+Trailer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1954 Holiday Rambler travel trailer</td></tr></tbody></table>LISLE, Ill., November 15, 2012 – Navistar RV, a subsidiary of Navistar International Corporation (NYSE), will celebrate the 60th anniversary of its Holiday Rambler brand at the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) National RV Trade Show, November 27 to 29 in Louisville, Ky.<br /><br />It will also introduce three model-year 2014 vehicles. The new Presidential will reestablish Holiday Rambler’s presence in the luxury fifth-wheel category, and the company will continue to build and sell motorhomes with the reintroduction of its Augusta B-plus class B vehicle and its new Vacationer, an entry-level class A gas coach.<br /><br />“We are very pleased to mark the 60th anniversary of Holiday Rambler, a preeminent brand in the history of recreational vehicles,” said Bill Osborne, president, Navistar RV. ”<br /><br />The first Holiday Rambler was a travel trailer introduced to the public in 1953. In 1961, the brand’s introduction of aluminum body framing ushered in an era of lighter, stronger and more durable RVs. This aluminum frame (Alumaframe) became the standard for RVs for 40 years. Holiday Rambler was also responsible for many firsts, including built-in refrigerators, holding tanks and aerodynamic radiused corners. As Holiday Rambler moved into motorhomes, it was the first with tag axles, and its kitchen slide-out revolutionized interior engineering in the field. Holiday Rambler was sold to the Monaco Coach Corporation in 1996, now a part of Navistar.<br /><br />“While we are proud of Holiday Rambler’s rich history, we aren’t stuck in it,” Osborne added. “We continue to introduce new designs, exciting new options and features.”<br /><br />THE NEW PRESIDENTIAL is a maneuverable and roomy fifth-wheel that offers the appointments of a luxury motorized RV. A wide body design, combined with a unique chassis platform, provides industry-leading exterior storage with both front and rear pass-through storage. Premium construction methodologies include a 100-percent gel coat exterior (no metal skirt), thicker laminated walls, composite structure panels, frameless windows and arched roof trusses.<br /><br />Notable interior features include Lane-brand leather furniture, a fireplace and pull-out desk, flatscreen TVs in the living room and bedroom, a walk-in shower and tiered bathroom vanity with vessel sink, and available dishwasher and stack washer/dryer. Storage is plentiful, with a full-size pantry, and custom dinnerware and glassware drawers.<br /><br />The new Vacationer SE offers customers the high-end features of a diesel coach — Smart Structure chassis system, ergonomically designed cockpit, soft-touch ceiling and generous pass-through storage — at the lower price of a gas vehicle. The new Augusta B-plus is a maneuverable and compact motorized RV with maximum space and inventive design features including a Murphy bed that folds away to allow for a larger living area.<br /><br /><i><b>SOURCE</b>: Holiday Rambler news release and <a href="http://rvtravel.com/">RVtravel.com</a>.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-6253118595020776162012-11-13T10:05:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:16.506-07:00China beefs up RV tourismCHINA -- Chinese officials looking for tourist dollars have designed five new tour routes for motorhome use though the Yangtze River Delta area. One of the most densely populated areas of the planet, the delta is home of Shanghai, China's most populous city of 23-million inhabitants. <br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/20090913_Wuzhen_5129.jpg/320px-20090913_Wuzhen_5129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/20090913_Wuzhen_5129.jpg/320px-20090913_Wuzhen_5129.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wikimedia commons</td></tr></tbody></table>The newly-designed routes will shepherd visitors to major tourism sites and at end of day, to appropriate RV parks. Government authorities are working on plans to build RV-appropriate infrastructure along the routes. Plans call for 400 to 500 RV parks to be built by the year 2020, including dump stations, fuel pumps, and electrical connections. High-level RV resorts with "recreational activities" are planned for Shanghai. Tourist attractions along the routes are in the provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. <br /><br />Officials hope that by 2020 the region will see upwards to five and a half-million motorhome tourists. Most of the estimated 8,500 motorhomes in China are owned by private companies who rent them out for about $240 a day. <br /><br />Source: Global Times<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-64468426601668781302012-11-13T08:06:00.000-08:002013-04-07T12:44:16.604-07:00RV products on display at new Dicor Facebook pageWhat does a Norman Rockwell painting, a table dancer, R2D2, a roll top desk, tan and black lager, and a thermos bottle have in common? They’re all part of a whimsical and fun Facebook page started by Dicor Corporation. The online site provides a sneak preview of new products at the Dicor “Center of Amazing” booth during the National RV Trade Show in Louisville. <br /><br />For RV manufacturers, the page previews new Vixen FRP sidewall and external panel options, new tan-colored EPDM roof material, a table with a four-way moveable top, and an exclusive robotic window sealing system that promises amazing manufacturing gains as far as leaner inventory, production efficiency and consistent quality. These and other new offerings are from what Dicor calls its “Center of Amazing” research and innovation.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS595cPzMlxaig4fUd8UVzPbuA0IXVx3g9Wt26YPYDkv1uygNNoVbUWeDNetd5kVZVKR4TwMh19Jo5YtC6rXD4yJBfE1sfs4yHRKyRzgw0E0yC2RpMum_CbrrsPKwLu8fZMvZELhcE00Ek/s1600/images.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="61" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS595cPzMlxaig4fUd8UVzPbuA0IXVx3g9Wt26YPYDkv1uygNNoVbUWeDNetd5kVZVKR4TwMh19Jo5YtC6rXD4yJBfE1sfs4yHRKyRzgw0E0yC2RpMum_CbrrsPKwLu8fZMvZELhcE00Ek/s320/images.jpg" width="320" /></a>RV dealers who don’t usually visit the Dicor booth can view some of the attractive new products at this year’s display, including a heat-reducing roof coating, specialized lap sealants, roof cleaning and coating systems, shade repair and cleaning products, and more.<br /><br />The page also shows the new roof care and repair videos that Dicor Products is currently producing as part of its expanded consumer communications.<br /><br />Videos and iconic pop culture photos of robots, tables and people, among other things, liven up the page while highlighting product features. New postings are made daily.<br /><br />“We want it to be a fun place for people to visit, and encourage the informal exchange of ideas and feedback between us and our visitors,” said Gregg Fore, Dicor Corporation president. “It’s another channel of communication for those interested in what we do.”<br /><br />The new Facebook page is at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/theCENTERofAMAZING">Facebook.com/theCENTERofAMAZING</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-17439504693734085562012-10-27T08:11:00.000-07:002013-04-07T12:44:16.703-07:00Navistar RV to debut 2014 models at RV trade showNavistar RV, a subsidiary of Navistar International Corporation (NYSE), will showcase a number of new products at this year’s Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Ky., from November 27 to 29. The display will include the model-year 2014 Monaco Monarch SE, as well as the new Holiday Rambler Vacationer SE and Augusta B+.<br /><br />“These ambitious products represent the next generation of RVs from Navistar and our brands,” said Bill Osborne, president, Navistar RV. “We’re excited to have our industry unveiling at the RVIA show, then to roll the models out to the public at events later this year and next.<br /><br />“The overall mix of products in the market has shifted, with a larger preference for gas as compared to diesel in Class As,” he added. “Also, amenities that were previously only available in diesel have now made their way into gas coaches.”<br /><br />The Monarch SE and Vacationer SE address these changes by delivering the high-end features of a full-size diesel coach — Smart Structure chassis system, ergonomically designed cockpit, soft-touch ceiling and generous pass-through storage — at the lower price of a gas vehicle. The RVs also emphasize the company’s striking new exterior style and incorporate new floor plans to suit individual needs.<br /><br />“Our gas products were previously on the higher end of the price segments,” said Osborne. “These new products allow us to offer customers a gas Class A unit with deluxe amenities, and because they’re affordable, first-time buyers and part-time enthusiasts can now enjoy a great, luxury coach.”<br /><br />During its product line evaluation, Navistar also determined there was an opportunity to add a B/C category unit to its portfolio, addressing the needs of first-time buyers and enthusiasts who want to be in a small but self-contained motorized RV.<br /><br />“Holiday Rambler hasn’t introduced a new vehicle in this product class for some time,” Osborne added.<br /><br />The new Augusta B+ is a maneuverable and compact motorized RV with maximum interior space. Inventive design features include a Murphy bed that folds away to allow for a large living area with skylight, plus a pop-up TV for enhanced counter space and work area. Storage is plentiful, with a mega-locker that can be accessed from the inside and outside. The vehicle is available on a gas Ford E-350/450 chassis.<br /><br /><i><b>SOURCE</b>: Navistar news release and <a href="http://rvtravel.com/">RVtravel.com</a>.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-54271948590364627602012-10-25T10:03:00.000-07:002013-04-07T12:44:16.800-07:00Kits for RV refrigerators allow low temperature operationTo extend the camping season as well as support full-time RVers and others using recreational vehicles for worksite living in the winter, Norcold is now producing cold weather kits that allow RV refrigerators to operate in ambient temps down to 0°F. RVers previously needed makeshift solutions to maintain proper refrigerator operation at temps below 32°F.<br /><br />As of October 1, factory-installed Cold Weather Kits are standard on Norcold's popular N641.3 and N841.3 gas absorption models. The kit is also available separately to allow current Norcold refrigerator owners to retrofit their Norcold 6-, 8-, 10-, 12- and 17-cubic foot models.<br /><br />Based in Sidney, Ohio, Norcold is America's leading maker of gas-absorption refrigerator/freezers for the RV, marine and truck markets. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thetford Corporation, which is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan.<br /><br /><i><b>SOURCE</b>: Norcold news release and <a href="http://rvtravel.com/">RVtravel.com</a>.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-12667243031854770042012-10-23T11:18:00.000-07:002013-04-07T12:44:16.898-07:00Open Range, dealer, sued over 'lemon' RV<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="//img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /><style>st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style><![endif]--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal">HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- An Alabama woman has brought suit against RV manufacturer Open Range, Co., and a local RV dealer in an 'RV lemon' case. Karen Lockhart of Lacey's Spring, Alabama says her brand new Open Range fifth-wheel hasn't been right from the start, and still isn't fixed after eight visits to the dealer.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6haU6IODJdJxBYN5s_7fG2vPDg56PjP_GuowKgvOoYWN4KRb9kGaSkUR_6Q_zd5em5IGh84Pb54iGLs4RhubznPonwjF5bJpjsVdgtO6hwMBqd8mbphgBf6LNjwRcAyWTnEUhxurbNM/s1600/open+range.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6haU6IODJdJxBYN5s_7fG2vPDg56PjP_GuowKgvOoYWN4KRb9kGaSkUR_6Q_zd5em5IGh84Pb54iGLs4RhubznPonwjF5bJpjsVdgtO6hwMBqd8mbphgBf6LNjwRcAyWTnEUhxurbNM/s1600/open+range.jpg" /></a>The suit alleges that Lockhart bought the fifth wheel from Madison RV in October 2010 for $64,000; she also received a $29,000 credit for a trade-in. With the new unit came a warranty registration form indicating the dealer had inspected the unit's systems and found them to be OK. Within two days Karen Lockhart had the rig back to the dealer, complaining of problems with electrical, plumbing, and other issues, including "significant water leaks," and damage related to those leaks. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The suit says Madison RV's work order on the returned fifth-wheel included, "replacement of coupler coax, application of sealant, water line, repair floor, seal shower, adjust latch, repair trim, repair wiring, adjust door, repair hinges, leaking underbelly, ice maker water line is leaking, entrance door is not working, black tank is draining into underbelly, floor in underbelly is warped, leveling jacks lift rear wheels off the ground, leakage of propane." </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">The dealership turned the serviced fifth-wheel back over to Lockhart in November, but according to her suit, the plumbing still leaked and other mechanical problems manifested themselves. Adding apparent insult to injury, Lockhart says the black water system leaked into the trailer's underbelly. Back went the trailer. The trailer was returned. The entire process repeated itself on through 2011 and 2012, alleges the lawsuit, with Ms. Lockhart continuing to make payments on a unit she describes as, "totally unfit for any reasonable purpose for which it was intended." </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Lockhart is asking for damages and a jury trial. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer had commented on the case, according to news outlet al.com. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2025668008719946958.post-46573278425052955962012-10-21T18:43:00.000-07:002013-04-07T12:44:16.996-07:00New RV "makeover" show to feature "Poison" singer<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/10/BretMichaels.JPG/553px-BretMichaels.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/10/BretMichaels.JPG/553px-BretMichaels.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PHOTO BY MATT BECKER </td></tr></tbody></table>CHEVY CHASE, MD- Bret Michaels, the former lead-singer to the "glam metal" group, Poison, has put down his microphone and picked up a new trade: Re-designing recreational vehicles on a new make-over TV show called "Rock My RV." Production starts for the eight half-hour series shows next month. <br /><br />What has a rock-and-roller got to do with RVs? The Travel Chanel thinks that Michaels is just the guy to star in the new show. Michaels will lead up a group of skilled RV designers and fabricators who will transform run-of-the-mill RVs into "the most outrageous, badass, hooked-up mobile mansions on the road," according to a news release. <br /><br />"For the past 25 years, Bret Michaels has spent at least nine months out of the year in a tour bus that he personally designs from top to bottom," said Andy Singer of the Travel Channel. "We couldn’t think of a better front man than Bret for the series. He lives and breathes life on the road and undoubtedly holds the record for most hours logged in a custom coach. Bret jumped at the chance to share his passion for travel and the RV experience through this fascinating, obsessive world of customizing RVs"<br /><br />"Between touring and travelling, I spend a lot of time on the road and my tricked-out, custom coach is my home away from home," adds Michaels. "I crisscross the country and live in my tour bus, and I know how to take an RV from ordinary to extraordinary. I can’t wait to put my expertise to use and show people how to make their RVs rock."<br /><br />The rocking will commence on your TV screen in 2013. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1