RV News & Notes

Country Coach Unveils New Luxury Model

Country Coach Inc., C2132, based in Junction City, Oregon, has added the new Lexa to its lineup of type A luxury motorhomes for the 2002 model year.

Built on the company's DynoMax chassis, the Lexa is powered by a 515-horsepower Caterpillar C-15 diesel engine, matched with an Allison 4000MH six-speed transmission. The coach comes in lengths of 40 feet, 42 feet, and 45 feet with double- and triple-slideout floor plans offered. Flat-profile windows, a panoramic full-height windshield, and integrated hidden bay latches give the Lexa a sleek, futuristic appearance.

For driver convenience, the Lexa includes a custom-contoured dash with an electronically powered, six-way adjustable instrument cluster. The dash can be adjusted in conjunction with or independently of the steering column, allowing the driver to move the dash up and down, or tilt it forward or backward. The Lexa also features the company's new Coach Command system. When activated, the touch-screen control system monitors numerous coach functions, including power status, engine gauges, and trip information, and it will automatically start the generator if the battery charge drops below a set level.

Among the Lexa's interior luxury appointments are a 42-inch Plasmavision color matrix television screen that folds out of sight when not in use and a Bose Home Theater System.

For more information about this new model, contact Country Coach Inc. at (800) 654-0223 or (541) 998-3001; or visit  www.countrycoach.com.

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September 11 Attacks Spur Recreation-Oriented Legislation

The U.S. House of Representatives has introduced legislation that would create a new lifetime access pass to America's national parks and other recreation sites for people most directly affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. The Healing Opportunities in Parks and the Environment (HOPE) Pass Act was readied for legislative action in early October. The legislation includes a message to all Americans: time spent in our parks and other special outdoor places contributes to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Soon after this Congressional action, Interior Secretary Gale Norton announced that all entrance fees to national park areas would be waived during Veterans Day weekend, November 10 through 12, 2001, "to allow Americans the opportunity to seek solace and inspiration from the nation's parks, monuments, and memorials."

The effects of the September 11 attacks also were addressed by Mark Rey, the newly confirmed Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment, while speaking to members of the American Recreation Coalition's Recreation Exchange. He noted that an in-depth review of the Agriculture Department's activities was under way in an effort to respond to the attacks. He assured the group that paying attention to the Forest Service's role as a provider of outdoor recreation would be part of the response. He also acknowledged the need to review problems encountered by small businesses operating in the national forests, which had been required to prepay fees and were, after the attacks, faced with a large number of cancellations. He also stated that people's desire to stay close to home might dissipate over time.

Mr. Rey pointed out that for the past 30 years, any progress made in solving resource-policy problems had resulted from the use of a bipartisan, consensus-building approach.

Speaking of the recreation community's concerns about the state of the road system in national forest lands, Mr. Rey said that he plans to work with Representative Don Young (R-AK), who is chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, to obtain more funding for forest roads through the Federal Lands Highway Program.

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RV Web Site Offers Free Calendar

A free downloadable calendar for users to record anniversaries, birthdays, and other important events is now available at <F"Caxton BookItalic">www.rv.com<E>, produced by Dometic Corporation.

The DATEwise program provides a full-function desktop calendar that displays scenic photography each month and looks just like the type of decorative calendar that can be hung on a wall at home. The calendar includes desktop appointment and reminder features, which can be helpful to the RVer on the go.

Dometic's marketing communications manager, Brad Reiners, said that the free calendar is "a special feature that we hope RV.com visitors will find fun and easy to use." The Web site offers RVers information about travel, RV shows and conferences, RV publications, news, weather, and dealer and repair services.

The software program for the free calendar was designed by Electronic Specialty Products of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Dometic Corporation, based in Elkhart, Indiana, manufactures refrigerators, heat pumps, air conditioners, awnings, and accessories for the RV industry.

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RV Rentals More Popular In Wake Of September Attacks

In light of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, the travel industry is gearing for change. Businesses that rent motorhomes, such as El Monte RV, headquartered in Santa Fe Springs, California, are getting calls from travelers who are either afraid to fly or are changing travel plans because they don't want to or are unable to leave the country.

"People will always want and need to travel; however, in light of recent events, travelers are reviewing the options available to them," said Joe Laing, director of marketing for El Monte RV. "When weighing travel plans, people aren't only concerned about price and the quickest way to travel. Convenience, safety, and flexibility also are top priorities."

With increased uncertainty at airports throughout the nation, El Monte RV officials say they are getting more inquiries about motorhome travel. The company is ensuring that its rates stay consistent and reasonable. The company maintained and even waived rental fees temporarily to help accommodate travelers who were stranded as a result of the September 11 tragedies.

El Monte RV has nearly 30 locations throughout the United States. For more information, phone (800) 337-2141 or visit www.elmonterv.com.

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Caravan Salon 2002 Dates Announced

Caravan Salon, one of the largest international trade fairs for recreational vehicles, will be held August 30 through September 8, 2002, at the fairgrounds in Dusseldorf, Germany.

The 2001 show, which also was held in Dusseldorf, drew 150,000 visitors and 498 exhibitors from around the world. More than 25 percent of the exhibitors were from outside Germany, and nearly 20,000 visitors arrived from foreign countries, with the largest contingents coming from the Netherlands, Belgium, and Great Britain. Attendees from as far away as the United States, Canada, and Australia also were recorded.

For exhibitor or visitor information to Caravan Salon 2002, contact Messe Dusseldorf North America, 150 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601; (312) 781-5180; www.mdna.com.

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RV Owners More Satisfied With Their Vehicles

Satisfaction with the overall RVing experience is on the increase, according to a study commissioned by the Go RVing Coalition's Committee on Excellence. The 2001 RV Consumer Satisfaction Survey, conducted by Roper Starch Worldwide, surveyed 12,588 new RV owners. It updates a similar survey made in 1999, providing baseline comparisons and trend analysis about consumer satisfaction with the RV experience. Respondents had purchased 2000-model-year RVs prior to July 31, 2000.

Compared with the 1999 figures, satisfaction with the overall RVing experience jumped 6 percentage points for motorhome owners and 10 percentage points for owners of towable RVs. More than three-fourths (78 percent) of RV owners said they were completely/very satisfied with their overall RVing experience, and 4 percent were not very/not at all satisfied.

Recent buyers of new RVs also reported high levels of satisfaction with products overall. Overall satisfaction rose 11 percentage points for both motorhomes and towables over the past two years, according to the findings.

Most respondents -- 95 percent of motorhome owners and 97 percent of towable owners -- said they intend to continue RVing over the next five years. The number of new RV owners who said they were likely to purchase another RV declined slightly compared to the 1999 study, and researchers think this is likely a result of the current economic uncertainty.

New motorhome owners also reported a higher satisfaction rate with the dealership sales process; the figure grew 11 percentage points over the past two years. An increase in satisfaction with RV dealers for service and repair also was found, with only 18 percent of motorhome owners reporting some level of dissatisfaction with their overall dealership service experience.

A majority of respondents also reported their satisfaction with commercial and public campgrounds. Among motorhomers, 71 percent said they were completely/very satisfied with commercial campgrounds; the figure was 68 percent for public campgrounds. On average, only about 4 percent of motorhome and towable owners expressed some level of dissatisfaction with their last stay at a commercial or public campground.

The survey results are studied by RV manufacturers and other members of the RV industry. Committee on Excellence chairman Jim Sheldon, of Monaco Coach Corporation, said that the study confirms the industry is doing a good job overall, "But, we can continue to raise the bar. Armed with the survey findings, the RV industry will continually prioritize and act upon the drivers of satisfaction with a goal of improving RV service and product quality."

The Go RVing Coalition, formed in 1994, consists of RV manufacturers, component suppliers, dealers, and campgrounds. For more information, visit the Go RVing Web site at www.GoRVing.com.

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Newmar Corporation Hires New President

Mahlon Miller, owner of Newmar Corporation, has named Richard Parks as the RV manufacturing company's new president. Mr. Parks will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and strategic planning of Newmar. Former company president Virgil Miller has been promoted to Newmar Corporation's chairman of the board.

Mr. Parks brings a wealth of management experience to Newmar. For the past 17 years he worked for Fleetwood Enterprises, serving in various leadership capacities. He also has served as a board member of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and on RVIA's Public & Legislative Affairs Committee.

Established in 1968, Newmar Corporation, based in Nappanee, Indiana, has more than 750 employees and a dealer network that spans the United States and Canada.

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Stay Connected On The Road

Getting online while on the road has become a bit easier, thanks to a new book by Cindy Michaels and Mike Hinkle. Stay Connected: A Guide to Modem-Friendly Campgrounds (Cruising America, $20) lists more than 2,500 modem-friendly RV parks in the United States and Canada, and 350 campgrounds that feature instant, on-arrival Internet access. Each listing includes the campground name, address, telephone number, e-mail and Web site addresses, and special icons indicating the types of computer hookup services provided. The book also is available on CD in PC format ($25). To order, contact www.allcampgrounds.com/modembook.html. Add $3.50 if shipping to a Canadian address.

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RVIA Offers Tailgating Primer

As true fans say, the best place to be at a football game is not necessarily at the 50-yard line. The real fun takes place during college and pro football season while tailgating in style in an RV.

Joe Cahn, renowned RVing chef known as the "Commissioner of Tailgating," said, "Today the ultimate game-day experience starts in stadium parking lots."

Tailgaters fill stadium parking lots each weekend across the United States, and often produce elaborate arrays of food in their RVs before and after the game. Mingling with fellow tailgaters and alumni adds to the excitement.

To help RVers join the fun, the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) offers these tailgating pointers:

·         Take guests to the game in your motorhome -- both home games and away games. Many football fans who go tailgating rent RVs if they don't have one.

·         Avoid traffic by arriving early and staying late.

·         Cook to your heart's desire. Consider barbecued ribs, fajitas, jambalaya, and more. Check out the tailgate recipes at www.gorving.com.

·         Prepare and freeze hors d'oeuvres ahead of time, then pop them in the RV microwave when you arrive at the game.

·         Have food ready two hours before the game begins. Allow plenty of time to eat and mingle with guests before kickoff time.

·         Get to know your tailgating neighbors. Swap recipes, pass around some food, and talk about the game.

·         After the game, tailgate some more. While folks with cars fight to exit the parking lot, pop a snack in the microwave oven and continue the fun.

·         Don't miss any big plays of the day. Turn on the RV's television set to watch the pre-game show or post-game highlights. You may even wish to videotape the game in your RV while you're in the stands.

·         When it's time to go, leave the parking area neat and clean. Store leftovers safely, and make plans for the next game.

People who have never owned an RV may obtain a free 18-minute "getting started" video that contains RV shopping and travel tips from actual RVers. It is accompanied by a companion guide and a list of local dealers and campgrounds, and is available by calling (888) Go RVing (467-8464). More detailed information, including a directory of RV shows, publications, rental sources, and clubs, can be obtained by writing to RVIA, P.O. Box 2999, Dept. P, Reston, VA 20195. Internet users can visit RVIA's Web site, www.rvia.org, to order these and other publications online, and also visit www.GoRVing.com for more RV travel news and tips.

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Fodor's Provides List Of Patriotic Places

Fodor's Travel Publications has created the following list of patriotic sites travelers may wish to visit to celebrate their freedom to travel:

·         Pay tribute to some of America's most illustrious presidents at Mount Rushmore, in the Black Hills of South Dakota. While you're there, learn about American Indian history at the nearby Crazy Horse Memorial. Rapid City, South Dakota, is a good base from which to explore the Black Hills and soak up the cowboy life.

·         Savannah, Georgia, with its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and neighborly town squares, is admired for its Old World elegance, but it is also the site of American ingenuity. This is where the Girl Scouts were founded and the cotton gin was invented. Pay a visit to the home of the original "troop leader," Juliette Gordon Low.

·         Boston is well-known for its role in American history, but an extensive history lesson also can be found in nearby Lexington and Concord. In Lexington, imagine yourself in the middle of the action at Buckman Tavern, where Paul Revere's minutemen gathered. In Concord, pay tribute to some of America's greatest thinkers at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Nathaniel Hawthorne.

·         Climb Pike's Peak (or take the easy way out and go by cog train) near Colorado Springs, Colorado, and see the "purple mountain majesties" and "spacious skies" that inspired the legendary words of "America The Beautiful." Top it off with a visit to the historic Broadmoore Hotel and stroll down memory lane in Old Colorado City, Colorado Springs' immaculately restored historic district.

·         Visit the homes of past U.S. presidents: Theodore Roosevelt's birthplace in New York City; Harry Truman's home in Independence, Missouri; Abraham Lincoln's log cabin in Hodgenville, Kentucky, and his pre-presidency home in Springfield, Illinois. Presidential sites can be found in nearly every region of the country.

·         Head for "gold country" in northern California, where the 19th-century's version of the Internet boom took place. Visit Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, where the first gold was sighted. Learn more about California and its colorful contribution to United States history at the Golden State Museum and the Huntington, Hopkins, & Co. store, an exact replica of an 1855 hardware store.

·         Mark the path that many took to gain freedom along the Underground Railroad near Cincinnati, Ohio, a popular stop along the trail. After your tour, stop by the Harriet Beecher Stowe Memorial, and take a presidential pause at the William Howard Taft National Site, birthplace of the 27th U.S. president.

·         Show your support for America by visiting New York City. In addition to helping out the economy, you can see where George Washington said good-bye to his troops at the Fraunces Tavern Museum. Or, learn about the immigrant experience at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. Or, pay tribute to more recent history at the New York City Fire Museum.

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Environmentally Friendly Travel Tips

Amfac Parks & Resorts, a company that operates lodges, restaurants, and other concessions at national and state parks and resorts throughout the United States, is encouraging environmentally sensitive travel. According to Amfac, travelers can do many things to preserve natural resources and ensure that fragile ecosystems and sensitive wildlife are not negatively affected by travelers' wanderlust.

Chris Lane, director of environmental programs for Amfac, offered these tips for environmentally sensitive tourism:

·         Whenever possible, use human or animal-powered transportation, such as walking, bicycling, hiking, cross-country skiing, or horseback riding. When that's not possible, take a shuttle or carpool. One car emits 10 times its weight in carbon monoxide into the atmosphere over its lifetime.

·         Stay on trails and follow signage to prevent damage to delicate vegetation. Fragile tundra plants can take up to 10 years to recover from the impact of human foot traffic.

·         Always recycle. If a recycling container isn't readily available, hold on to your aluminum or plastic until you find one. The largest man-made structure on earth is now the landfill on the west shore of Staten Island, New York, and it is one of more than 6,000 landfills in the United States.

·         Refill and reuse your water bottles from larger water jugs or faucets, rather than using several different plastic water bottles each day. Americans throw away 270 million tons of garbage each year -- that's three times the amount the country produced only 30 years ago.

·         Patronize "green" destinations. If you're not sure whether a facility fits into this category, look for these clues: use of bulk condiments, minimal use of packaging on retail items, use of energy-saving lighting, and easy access to recycling bins. Nearly half of all solid waste is discarded packaging.

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Management Changes At Recreation USA

On October 25, Recreation USA's board of directors announced several board-level and management changes. The RV and marine retailer, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, announced that its chairman of the board, Michael S. Riley, has resigned to devote his time to other business interests. The board unanimously appointed chief executive officer Marcus Lemonis to the additional position of chairman. Chief financial officer Casey Gunnell was appointed to the additional post of president.

Recreation USA operates 15 retail stores, with locations in California, Florida, Kentucky, New Mexico, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.

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