RV News & Notes: January 2007

Big Changes Highlight Tiffin’s 2007 Models

Tiffin Motorhomes, C1717, based in Red Bay, Alabama, has announced numerous changes to its motorhomes for 2007. New roof caps, a super-quiet cooled-air delivery system, ceramic tile, side-view cameras, added sleeping capacity, independent front suspension, and keyless entry lead the long list of standard and optional features consumers can expect to see in Tiffin’s 2007 models.

The company also is expanding its popular front-engine diesel chassis option, introduced in 2006, to a second model line. Tiffin will offer the moderately priced Allegro and Allegro Bay lines with gas or front-engine diesel power.

Four Tiffin models will have redesigned fiberglass roof caps for 2007. The new caps reportedly are twice as thick as the caps on 2006 models, providing significantly greater insulation. To avoid leaks at the seams between the roof cap and the side panels, Tiffin designers have extended the roof caps to overlap the side panels. In addition to the new roof cap, the Allegro Bay will have a 7-foot ceiling.

The new Quiet AC Roof-Ducted System developed by Tiffin engineers is said to reduce interior noise via a specially sealed fan motor and an enlarged duct system to the cockpit and throughout the coach.

Ceramic tile flooring in the living room is standard on Tiffin’s top-of-the-line Zephyr and optional on the Phaeton and Allegro Bus models. The Zephyr also features a decorative ceiling panel, ornate wood trim, elegant limestone and glass backsplashes in the galley and bath, plus a tiled shower.

Since 1985, Tiffin’s safety package has included a “doggie window” for the driver to see approaching vehicles, curbs, and other objects on the passenger side. In 2007, turn-signal-activated side cameras will enhance that safety factor. The side cameras are standard on the Zephyr and Allegro Bus and optional on the Allegro, Allegro Bay, and Phaeton.

The optional Flex Air Hide-A-Bed in all Tiffin coaches provides additional sleeping capacity with a self-contained air bed, complete with a 110-volt-AC inflating motor. The 60-inch-by-80-inch queen-size bed inflates within three minutes and stores compactly under the sofa.

Tiffin type A motorhomes are available through a network of 100 dealers in the United States and Canada. For more information about Tiffin’s 2007 motorhome lineup, call (256) 356-8661 or visit www.tiffinmotorhomes.com.

Beach and Coastal Camping in the Southeast Motorhomers who enjoy waking up to the sound of the ocean each morning can find out about some of the best beach and coastal campgrounds from Maryland to the Texas/Mexico border in a new book titled Beach and Coastal Camping in the Southeast ($18.95, University Press of Florida).

Author Johnny Molloy provides comprehensive, descriptive campground information for 43 destination possibilities in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. Parks on the list include Padre Island National Seashore (Texas), Grayton Beach State Recreation Area (Florida), Huntington Beach State Park (South Carolina), and Assateague Island State Park (Maryland), to name a few.

Each campground chapter is divided into separate sections that provide highlights and information. Chapters begin with a brief introduction to the campground, followed by a description of the beach and coastal area that you can expect to find. Next is information about the campground itself. Readers also will discover information about the history of the area, what to do while there, and what’s nearby. Each chapter ends with a key that includes the address, phone number, Web site, facilities, amenities, and directions for the campground.

The book is available at bookstores, through online booksellers, by calling (800) 226-3822, or by visiting www.upf.com.

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) honored several industry leaders for their contributions to the RV industry and the association during its annual meeting in September.

• FMCA member Frank Brodersen was presented the National Legislative Award for his instrumental role in developing and implementing the “RV Friendly” sign program. The program, which has now been adopted in nine states, encourages businesses that can accommodate RVs to post with a special “RV Friendly” logo on their highway service signs, making it easier for RV travelers to find such facilities when on the road.
• Art Wyatt of Dometic Corporation, C306, received the Distinguished Service to the RV Industry Award for his many years of service and leadership on the RVIA Board of Directors and other committees.
• Jim Sheldon of Monaco Coach Corporation, C2111, was presented with the Special Award in recognition of the contributions he has made as a founding member of the Go RVing Coalition, as chairman of the Committee on Excellence, and as a member of RVIA’s Board of Directors and several committees.
• Bob Parish of G.E. Commercial Finance, C4076, received the National Service Award for his leadership in the finance sector of the RV industry. As a 10-year member and chairman of RVIA’s Financial Services Committee, he helped to broaden and strengthen the ties between the industry and the financial community.
• Dave Altman of Altman’s Winnebago, C5740, received the David J. Humphreys RV Industry Unity Award. Mr. Altman was recognized for his advocacy of market expansion programs since the 1970s and his idea to add a surcharge to the RVIA seal to promote the RV lifestyle.
• Dave Diamond of Country Coach Inc., C2132, was presented with the Distinguished Achievement in RV Standards Award for the many contributions he has provided on a wide range of technical issues through his service on RVIA’s Standards Steering committee and various subcommittees.
• Other honorees included Brad Herzog and his wife, Amy, for the Spirit of America Award for their work in building awareness of the RV lifestyle as a fun, affordable, and convenient way to travel. Lance Wilson from the Florida RV Trade Association received the Scholastic Award for his role in the development of training initiatives.

The RVIA Board of Directors elected Carl Pfalzgraf of Atwood Mobile Products (FMCA commercial member C3053) as chairman of the board for 2006-2007 during the association’s annual meeting in September in Dana Point, California.

Mr. Pfalzgraf was elected to his second term on the RVIA Board of Directors in 2003 after serving a full term from 1991 through 2001. He has a wealth of experience on the RVIA Executive Committee, serving as first vice chairman in 2006; as treasurer from 1997 through 2001 and again from 2003 through 2005; and as secretary in 1996.

Other officers named to the Executive Committee include Jim Sheldon, special assistant to the chairman, Monaco Coach Corporation, C2111, as first vice chairman; Gregg Fore, president, Dicor Corporation, C10861, as second vice chairman; Chris Braun, executive vice president – RV Group, Fleetwood Enterprises, C985, as secretary; and Doug Gaeddert, general manager, Forest River, C7781, as treasurer. These officers began their one-year terms on October 1, 2006, and are joined by chairman ex officio Bruce Hertzke, chairman and CEO of Winnebago Industries, C93, and RVIA president Richard Coon on the Executive Committee.

More than 80 organizations recently signed a letter sent to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne calling for an inquiry regarding falling visitation levels at National Park Service facilities. The organizations involved represent millions of outdoor recreation enthusiasts and segments of the recreation industry with sales exceeding $100 billion annually.

The letter notes that the National Park Service was created to provide enjoyment in the form of recreation and education. The U.S. system has continued to grow and now consists of nearly 400 units covering more than 85 million acres. The letter points out that despite this growth in size, a 25 percent increase in the U.S. population over the past two decades, and increased awareness of the value of parks in providing Americans with safe and enjoyable opportunities for physical activity, visits to the national parks have declined.

According to the American Recreation Coalition (ARC), which coordinated the letter, the National Park Service faces many challenges, but none more important than the threat of losing relevance to American families. “Support for national parks has been strong and broad, and has been anchored in memories of visits to Yosemite and the Grand Canyon,” said ARC president Derrick Crandall. “Americans have visited those parks and brought home a sense of grandeur “” and a new commitment to conservation. But today national parks attract just 63 million visits annually “” or about one visit per every five Americans. In reality, large numbers of international visitors and repeat visits by park enthusiasts mean that the actual percentage of Americans visiting our national parks is quite low.”

Mr. Crandall said that the letter signers hope Interior Secretary Kempthorne will direct the National Park Service to create a forum to address these and other concerns, including a failure to promote greater awareness and use of units of the system’s national recreation areas, national seashores, national lakeshores, and national parkways.

“Many of these areas are ideal locations for helping Americans build a relationship with our legacy of the great outdoors,” Mr. Crandall said. To achieve this goal, he added, “We need to explore ways to welcome activities ranging from mountain biking to geocaching to rock climbing to better interpretation and education using new wireless technologies.”

International travel, including trips to Canada and Mexico, will become a bit more complicated in 2007 thanks to the new passport regulations required under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

Beginning on January 23, 2007, all persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport or other legal document (Air NEXUS card, U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner document, or an Alien Registration Card).

Starting as early as January 1, 2008, all persons traveling between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries) may be required to present a valid passport or other legal document as determined by the Department of Homeland Security.

Passports may be obtained at more than 7,000 passport acceptance facilities throughout the United States, including many federal, state, and probate courts; post offices; some public libraries; and a number of county and municipal offices. To find the passport acceptance facility nearest you, visit www.iafdb.travel.state.gov, where you can search by ZIP code or address.

U.S. citizens who need additional information about the requirements necessary to apply for a first-time passport or to renew an existing passport can visit www.travel.state.gov/passport or call the National Passport Information Center at (877) 487-2778. Canadians who wish to obtain a passport should visit www.pptc.gc.ca or call (800) 567-6868.

Kampgrounds of America, C456, based in Billings, Montana, announced in November 2006 that Shane Ott has been named president and chief operating officer of the company. Mr. Ott takes over for Jim Rogers, who will continue as KOA’s chief executive officer.

Mr. Ott, who has worked at KOA for 20 years, was previously senior vice president of the group’s company-operated properties.

KOA also announced that it has teamed with Valterra Products Inc. to introduce a full line of RV accessories and cleaners labeled as KOA RV Essentials. Products will include fresh water, sanitation, and cleaning products, as well as other RV camping necessities.

The company also has signed a multi-year agreement with ReserveAmerica that will allow consumers to make reservations for KOA campgrounds through ReserveAmerica.com. KOA has 450 campgrounds throughout the United States and Canada, while ReserveAmerica is a leading provider of camping reservation and management solutions. Both parties expect the new service to launch in early 2007.