RV News & Notes

Winnebago Industries Reps Ring NYSE Closing Bell

Winnebago Industries Inc., C93, celebrated 35 years of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Friday, September 9, 2005. The company (NYSE: WGO), based in Forest City, Iowa, joined the exchange on September 9, 1970.

To commemorate the event, Winnebago Industries company representatives took part in the closing bell ceremony to officially end trading on the exchange floor that day. Winnebago officials who took part in the event were Raymond Beebe, vice president, general counsel, and secretary; John V. Hanson, board member; Bruce Hertzke, chairman and CEO; Ed Barker, president and chief financial officer; and Sheila Davis, public relations and investor relations manager.

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Colorado Guidebook Reveals Adventure Opportunities For Disabled Travelers

Colorado offers a wide variety of experiences and activities to participate in and enjoy. To help folks with disabilities realize the opportunities that are available to them, authors Craig P. Kennedy and Andrea C. Jehn have written Access Anything: Colorado ($15.95, Fulcrum Publishing).

Mr. Kennedy, an avid skier and outdoor enthusiast, was paralyzed in a skiing accident nine years ago. Since the accident, he has sought out ways to help others with disabilities realize that there are countless activities and experiences they can enjoy even with their own limitations. "I found there's a lot of cool stuff that the disabled community can do today that they could not do five years ago," he said. "Yet, because most people with disabilities don't know about these new opportunities — from skiing to mountain biking to health spas — they think these great experiences are closed to them."

Mr. Kennedy and Ms. Jehn, a writer and travel enthusiast, realized that most travel books provide only general information, often incorrectly identifying attractions as handicapped-accessible. To make sure these types of inaccuracies did not appear in their book, they personally visited every location or activity that's described.

Access Anything: Colorado is organized by geographic areas in the state. The guide also features chapters on getting started, winter and summer travel opportunities, and national and state parks.

The book can be ordered online at www.fulcrum-books.com or by calling (800) 992-2908.

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New Book For RVers Who Travel With Dogs

Motorhomers with dogs now have a new resource to turn to for information about RVing with their canine friends. Camping and RVing with Dogs ($24.95, Desert Winds Press), by Jack and Julee Meltzer, is a 314-page book that includes a comprehensive directory of RV-friendly campgrounds, as well as information about pet-friendly businesses, parks, and other public facilities. The authors also provide advice about how to care for a dog on the road and deal with medical emergencies.

The Meltzers are full-time RVers who travel with a pair of German shepherds. They decided to write the book because there were no similar reference books available. "Even though other pet guides cover things to see and do with a dog, they’re aimed at travelers who stay in hotels and motels," Ms. Meltzer said. The couple spent a year researching campgrounds that welcome dogs.

The Meltzers claim that 30 million Americans camp with pets. A recent survey by RVtravel.com revealed that nearly 60 percent of RVers travel with a dog either all or most of the time.

Camping and RVing with Dogs is available from online booksellers or by ordering from www.rvbookstore.com; (800) 274-9378.

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RV Industry Responds To Hurricanes' Aftermath

Since hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated parts of the Gulf region in September, the recreation vehicle industry has focused on relief efforts for people affected by disasters and is playing a major role in providing RVs as temporary housing and related supplies. As part of this effort, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), the national association that represents more than 550 manufacturers and component suppliers in the United States, is facilitating communication between its member companies, state and national RV associations, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Capitol Hill, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Army National Guard.

The need for temporary housing for the hurricane victims and government and relief organization officials trying to operate in the hurricane-devastated areas is great, and RVs are helping to meet this need.

The RV industry is well-positioned to produce and deliver new RVs quickly and in high volume. Many RV manufacturers have increased production at their factories, instituted overtime, and hired new workers to provide RVs.

RVIA has provided lists of RV manufacturers and dealers, along with direct contact information, to FEMA officials. The association continues to follow up with FEMA and other government agencies to respond to their needs.

FEMA has purchased existing inventories of RVs from many RV dealers across the country. In addition, RV dealers and manufacturers have entered into contracts with FEMA (or third parties who have such contracts) to deliver and/or build specialized RVs. FEMA made similar arrangements with RV manufacturers and dealers in 2004 to provide RVs for Florida's hurricane recovery efforts. RV dealerships in proximity to the Gulf region have set up supply chains and satellite lots to help deliver RVs to FEMA.

A variety of humanitarian relief efforts also are being undertaken by many RV manufacturers, dealers, supplier companies, associations, clubs, campgrounds, and individuals. Examples include donating RVs, components, supplies, and services to hurricane victims and relief workers; making cash donations to relief agencies; spearheading fundraising efforts to raise donations for relief agencies; and collecting donated goods on behalf of relief agencies.

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Friend Communications, Camping.Com Rally Around National Tailgating Tour

Camping.com and Friend Communications, subsidiaries of Leisure Holding Inc., have signed on as major sponsors of the 2005-2006 NFL tailgating tour recently kicked off by YourTailgateParty.com.

Traveling in a high-visibility motorhome, the tailgating tour will cover 30,000 miles and will visit nearly every NFL stadium during the current season. Its mission is to seek out and taste-test the best tailgating recipes from coast to coast. Selected recipes from winning “blacktop chefs” will be published in a 150-page cookbook, I Got Your Tailgate Party Right Here! Football and tailgating fans can follow the tour's progress from week to week at www.yourtailgateparty.com.

Alliance partners as well as non-affiliated RV parks and campgrounds, Camping.com, and Friend Communications will provide complimentary camping accommodations for the YourTailgateParty.com motorhome and crew. “It was an ideal matchup for us,” noted Rick Clemons, director of marketing for Friend Communications. “Our growing network of campgrounds, RV resorts, and state campground associations has properties conveniently close to most stops on the nationwide tour. And for those stops where we don’t currently have a customer, we are finding industry partners who see the value in this marketing effort that we are heading up. Those partners are willingly offering to host the YourTailgateParty.com team at their parks."

Camping.com also is well positioned as a tour sponsor, since the e-business Web site caters to the outdoor and RV lifestyle, according to Mr. Clemons. “Under its mantra of ‘everything camping,’ Camping.com simply extends its reach by catering to tailgate party enthusiasts who also happen to be RV and camping enthusiasts.”

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Blue Ox Purchases Overbilt Lifts

Blue Ox, C2903, based in Pender, Nebraska, has announced the acquisition of Overbilt Lifts, C7568, of Lake Katrine, New York. According to Blue Ox president Jay Hesse, the addition of Overbilt products will add a new dimension to the company's line of carriers and lifts.

Overbilt owner Art Boice will continue to be involved in the design of new products for Blue Ox. "Overbilt is proud to be a part of the Blue Ox team and believes that this will work out for the best for both companies," he said.

For more information about Overbilt Lifts and the full line of Blue Ox towing equipment, visit www.blueox.us — or call (800) 336-4336.

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Author Seeking RV Adventure And Favorite Places Stories

Anita Henehan, author of the book How to Run Away from Home After 50; A True RV Adventure, is preparing to write a second book that will include great stories, favorite places, and recommendations from RVers across North America.

Stories can be funny, exciting, or heartwarming, or tell about a misadventure or a big mistake. If the story is about a favorite place, make sure to provide contact information for the site (Web site, e-mail, phone number) and explain why it is so special.

Readers who would like to submit a story for possible inclusion can e-mail the information to Ms. Henehan at henehanmerrily@aol.com or phone her at (314) 308-3785. The deadline for submitting stories is January 1, 2006.

Folks whose stories are selected to appear in the book will receive a byline and a personally autographed copy of the book from Ms. Henehan.

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Roadmaster Acquires ipd Suspension Division

On August 1, 2005, Roadmaster Inc., C2952, based in Portland, Oregon, acquired the suspension division of ipd Company Inc., C2986, also located in Portland. ipd manufactures antisway bars for motorhomes, trucks, sport utility vehicles, vans, and ambulances.

As part of Roadmaster, ipd will continue to manufacture antisway bars, but its product line will expand to include more suspension component manufacturing for heavy-duty vehicle chassis.

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More Roads Added To National Scenic Byways Program

On September 22, 2005, officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation announced 45 new and extended National Scenic Byways during a ceremony at Union Station in Washington, D.C. The new Scenic Byways and All American Roads are in 27 states and join 96 byways previously designated since the establishment of the National Scenic Byways Program in 1991.

J. Richard Capka, Federal Highway Administration acting administrator, praised the grass-roots energy of the Scenic Byways community, including some 200 people who had gathered for two days of implementation training and celebration in the capital. Mr. Capka called the National Scenic Byways Program a success story for promoting America’s historic, scenic, natural, and cultural gems, and also as an economic development engine for rural communities throughout the nation.

George Schoener, deputy assistant secretary for transportation policy for the U.S. Department of Transportation, expressed the interest in byways of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, who was kept away by hurricane recovery duties. Mr. Schoener, who has worked on the National Scenic Byways Program, recounted the first byways designation ceremony in Denver, Colorado, where he and Derrick Crandall, president of the American Recreation Coalition, produced handmade maps to display the initial batch of byways. Mr. Schoener announced that funding for the National Scenic Byways Program will increase from $30 million to $60 million annually by 2009. The initial appropriation for the program in 1991 was $100,000.

Since its establishment, the National Scenic Byways Program has provided almost $300 million in funding for 1,665 state and nationally designated byway projects in 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.

To be designated as a National Scenic Byway, a road must possess at least one of six intrinsic qualities — historic, cultural, natural, scenic, recreational, archaeological — and feature characteristics that have regional significance. To receive an All-American Road designation, a road must possess multiple intrinsic qualities that are nationally significant and contain one-of-a-kind features that do not exist elsewhere. The road also must be considered a “destination unto itself.” That is, the road must provide an exceptional traveling experience so recognized by travelers that the primary reason for their trip would be to drive along the byway.

For more information about the National Scenic Byways Program or to discover the designated byways throughout America, phone (800) 429-9297, option 3; or visit www.byways.org.

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Patrick Terveer Named National Sales Manager Of Holiday Rambler Motorized

Monaco Coach Corporation, C2111, based in Coburg, Oregon, announced that it has hired Patrick Terveer as national sales manager of its Holiday Rambler Motorized division.

In this capacity, Mr. Terveer will be responsible for implementing sales and marketing strategies for Holiday Rambler's motorized brand. Mr. Terveer, a veteran of the RV industry, served on FMCA's Commercial Council for several years, including a stint as the council's vice president.

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Caravan Salon 2005 A Successful Event

A total of 530 exhibitors from 21 countries showcased their products and technologies at Caravan Salon 2005, an international trade fair for recreational vehicles, mobile homes, trailers, and camping equipment, August 26 through September 4, 2005, in Dusseldorf, Germany. The event attracted 164,000 visitors, with attendees from outside of Germany accounting for 15 percent of the visitor total.

Manufacturers were said to be pleased with the turnout and sales potential during the event. According to a visitor survey, more than 33 percent of Caravan Salon 2005 attendees made a purchase at the show, while 43 percent of those responding said that they planned to make a purchase after the event.

Caravan Salon 2006 is scheduled to take place August 25 through September 3, 2006, again in Dusseldorf. For more information about visiting or exhibiting at the show, contact Messe Dusseldorf North America at (312) 781-5180 or visit www.mdna.com.

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