RV News & Notes: January 2006

Mandalay Luxury Division Launches 2006 Presidio

Mandalay Luxury Division, part of Thor Industries, C847, unveiled the 2006 type A diesel-powered Presidio this past August at FMCA’s 74th International Convention in Minot, North Dakota.

New features on the 2006 Presidio include a full 84-inch interior ceiling height that expands the living area and increases overhead storage. Attractive porcelain tile has been added in the entryway, kitchen, and bathroom. A full-view one-piece windshield improves visibility while on the road and features steel cage construction for added durability and long life.

The standard Presidio is built on a Workhorse R Series raised-rail chassis powered by a Cummins 330-horsepower diesel engine, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 32,000 pounds. The Presidio also is available on the optional Freightliner XC chassis with a Mercedes-Benz 330-horsepower diesel engine.

The newly designed exterior paint and graphics packages and new full-body paint options provide consumers with more design choices. A full three-year, 36,000-mile limited bumper-to-bumper warranty and a full five-year, 60,000-mile limited structural warranty are standard on all Presidio motorhomes.

The Presidio is available in three quad-slideout floor plans. Three contemporary interior décor packages are offered for 2006, and cabinetry is available in standard oak as well as optional cherry and maple wood.

Other new features for the 2006 model include full-extension drawer guides in the kitchen; water pump switches located in the bathroom, the bedroom, and the systems compartment; an optional central vacuum system; recessed ceiling speakers with an optional home theater system; an optional driver’s-side sunshade; taller windows for more natural light; and front and rear fiberglass caps.

For more information about the 2006 Presidio, visit www.mandalaycoach.com or call (866) 919-4444.

Monaco Coach Corporation, C2111, based in Coburg, Oregon, recently announced that it had acquired Indiana-based R-Vision companies and its Bison and Roadmaster affiliates for $60 million in cash. According to company officials, the acquisition is expected to add $200 million to $220 million in sales for Monaco Coach and 13 cents to 16 cents in earnings per share in fiscal 2006. The purchase will make Monaco the fifth-largest manufacturer of towable RVs in the United States. Monaco is already the largest type A diesel motorhome manufacturer in the United States and the fifth-largest type A gasoline motorhome builder.

R-Vision, which was founded in 1995 by Bill Warrick, is a leading manufacturer of travel trailers, including lightweight and hybrid trailers, along with fifth-wheels and type A, B, and C motorhomes. Its Bison and Roadmaster affiliates make utility trailers and specialty trailers for transporting automobiles, race cars, motorcycles, and horses. R-Vision ranked as the sixth-largest towables manufacturer.

According to Monaco officials, R-Vision, which is based in Warsaw, Indiana, will continue to operate as a separate entity. Denny Bailey has been retained as president of R-Vision and Craig Swisher as president of the Specialty Products Group. Both men have kept their entire management teams to run the respective companies. R-Vision products are manufactured in Warsaw, while the specialty trailers are built in Milford and Goshen, Indiana. The R-Vision companies currently employ 900 people.

The California Travel and Tourism Commission’s new 2006 California Official State Visitor’s Guide and Travel Planner is now available to those interested in visiting the Golden State.

The 208-page guide divides the state into 12 regions; each section includes a map of the region along with featured driving tours and popular activities related to each drive. In addition, the guide contains a number of special sections, such as first-person narratives about California travel outings. Also included are travel tips and sidebars that provide comprehensive information about California’s wine regions, gaming resorts, and popular state parks.

The improved 16-panel state map contains statewide and major metro information, including a quick-find locator for the 10 California Welcome Centers, a city index, and the popular California Fun Spots card.

The California visitor’s guide is free and can be ordered by calling (887) CALIFORNIA (225-4367) or by visiting www.visitcalifornia.com. A digital version of the guide is expected to be available on the Web site in early 2006.

Workhorse Custom Chassis, C8291, based in Union City, Indiana, has put more muscle into its popular W Series gasoline-powered platforms by introducing a new, limited-edition Super Sport Chassis (SSC) option available for 2006 models. The platform went into production in July.

The SSC chassis brings a whole new “muscle car” experience to the Vortec-powered chassis. Its stainless-steel tuned headers improve the 8.1-liter engine’s exhaust flow, lowering back pressure and increasing performance.

According to Workhorse, the new SSC can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in only 25.4 seconds. That would put the SSC ahead of the top-performing standard Workhorse chassis by a half a football field. When pulling out into traffic, having that extra speed can be a huge advantage.

The new sport option also includes an enhanced suspension with a rear track bar along with performance-tuned Bilstein shocks to further boost the handling of the W Series platform. The dashboard is equipped with a deluxe instrument panel that can track transmission temperature, manifold intake pressure, and engine intake air temperature. The Workhorse SSC option also features dual chrome exhaust tips, SSC coach decals, and a pair of exclusive owner jackets.

The chassis is available to all manufacturers, and motorhome buyers can request the SSC package when ordering from their dealer.

For more information, call (877) 294-6773 or visit www.workhorse.com.

Looking for a new place to tee it up during your travels? Fodor’s Golf Digest’s Golf Weekends ($19.95, Fodor’s) provides information about more than 650 courses within 250 miles of 15 of the largest American cities. The destinations are all centered around a major city but do not include courses in the major cities themselves. The courses selected are said to be some of the most challenging and striking layouts in the country.

Reviews include course contact information; USGA ratings; green fees; pars; yardage; slope; course policies; and recommendations from Golf Digest writers. Reliable, practical information from Fodor’s includes maps, directions, and suggestions for where to eat when you’re not on the course.

Fodor’s Golf Digest’s Golf Weekends is available at bookstores and through online booksellers.

Sunbrella-brand awning and furniture fabrics have been awarded the “Seal of Recommendation” by The Skin Cancer Foundation, an international organization dedicated to the prevention of skin cancer. The seal signifies that Sunbrella fabrics have passed the foundation’s rigorous testing criteria and offer significant levels of sun protection. To earn the seal, a company must prove that its product sufficiently and safely “aids in the prevention of sun-induced damage to the skin.”

Sunbrella fabrics were found to meet the foundation’s standards for Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). UPF is a measure of the amount of ultraviolet light passing through a fabric.

In addition, Glen Raven, which manufactures Sunbrella fabrics, has become a member of the foundation’s Corporate Council. The membership will closely align the company with the foundation’s educational programs and provide access to cutting-edge research related to skin cancer prevention.

According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 1 million people will be diagnosed with skin cancer each year, and the incidence of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is rising faster than that of any other cancer.

Velvac, C773, a manufacturer and supplier of exterior mirror systems and components for the recreation vehicle, trucking, and specialty vehicle industries, has been acquired by Prospect Partners LLC and Jeffery Porter.

Velvac’s product line includes more than 3,000 vehicle components. According to the company, its RV mirror division serves more than 90 percent of the recreation vehicle market’s original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Other products include air brake system components, air accessory valves and cylinders, electrical products and fuel caps, and accessories for truck applications.

Mr. Porter will take over as chief executive officer of the company, based in New Berlin, Wisconsin, succeeding Gwen Greeler. He will be joined by members of Velvac’s current management team.