Highlights from FMCA’s “Rush To The Golden State” international convention, held February 25 through 28, 2008, can be seen via podcast on “American RVer”
(www.americanrver.com).
Segments from the Pomona, California, convention will air on Webisode 21, available on the site March 2, and on Webisode 22, available on the site April 2. Viewers can download the podcasts or watch them online. Besides general convention coverage, the shows will include a discussion with FMCA national president Connie Pool; an interview with Jim Holifield about the Flxible bus exhibit; a feature on the Singles International chapter; and an interview with Marcel Champoux of Roadtrek Motorhomes Inc.
“American RVer” is produced by broadcast industry veterans and full-time motorhomers Jim and Peggy Grich and is viewed by 20,000 RV enthusiasts each month. The Griches, also FMCA members, write about their full-timing adventures on their blog, www.americanrvers.blogspot.com.
“RV Doctor” Releases DVD Series
Gary Bunzer, whose “House Calls” column appears each month in Family Motor Coaching magazine, has collaborated with Pro Tech RV Media and the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) to introduce the “RV Doctor’s Do It Yourself RV Care” DVD series for RV owners.
The first DVD in the series covers preventive maintenance and is written and presented at the RV owner level, showing those systems and components that need regular attention. “Today’s RVer understands the necessity for annual preventive maintenance; they just need guidance in how to actually perform many of those tasks themselves,” Mr. Bunzer said. The presentation suits any brand or type of recreation vehicle, and it walks the RV owner through the proper procedures for accomplishing general preventive maintenance on their vehicles. The DVD is delineated by subject so the RV owner can choose which RV system to view.
The second installment in the series will be about RV plumbing systems, and more titles are to come. For more information about the DVD series, or to order, call (703) 620-6003, ext. 320, or visit http://rvia.hbp.com/?type=consumer. The consumer Preventive Maintenance DVD is priced at $24.95. Information also can be found on Gary Bunzer’s Web site, www.rvdoctor.com.
RV/MH Hall Of Fame Class For 2008
The RV/MH Heritage Foundation, based in Elkhart, Indiana, has announced the 10 individuals who have been elected by the foundation’s board of directors to the RV/MH Hall of Fame class for 2008.
Those inductees who have connections to the motorhome industry include:
Wilbur Bontrager of Jayco Inc. in Middlebury, Indiana, is a Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) board member and past chairman who also serves on the association’s Standards and Legislative Affairs committees. He is recognized as a key leader in the development and implementation of programs to promote the RV industry.
Donald Magary is an RV industry media specialist from Website Management in Tempe, Arizona. Mr. Magary has promoted the RV lifestyle as a writer and editor, including as a past contributor to Family Motor Coaching, and has been recognized as a champion of many industry causes by focusing on what is best for the entire RV industry. He also is recognized as a pioneer in the industry’s use of the Internet, with the largest RV-related Web site portal for information and sales. He has designed and developed Web sites for dozens of industry companies and associations.
Wade F.B. Thompson is the founder and chairman of Thor Industries in Jackson Center, Ohio, and is credited for building his company into America’s largest RV and small bus manufacturer, with divisions in the United States and Canada. He is a strong supporter of industry training and educational programs.
Donald W. Wallace, of Lazy Days RV Center in Seffner, Florida, is recognized for building the nation’s largest RV dealership and for his years of dedicated support to the Florida RV SuperShow, the Go RVing campaign, and many other Recreation Vehicle Dealer Association (RVDA) and RVIA events for more than 30 years.
These industry leaders join more than 300 previous inductees installed during the 35 years that the RV/MH Hall of Fame has recognized key leaders for the RV and manufactured housing industries.
Proposed 2009 Federal Budget Includes Increase For National Park Service
President Bush’s proposed fiscal year 2009 budget, which he announced on February 4, 2008, included $2.4 billion for the National Park Service (NPS). Of this figure, $2.13 billion was earmarked for operation of the National Park System. The proposed budget for NPS operations reveals an increase of $160.9 million to the FY 2008 request for park operations.
The 2009 request includes increases of nearly $45 million for targeted park base core operations; $36 million for parks’ fixed costs; $22.8 million for cyclic maintenance; $20 million for natural resource health; and $8 million for service-wide training and professional development programs. The proposed budget also includes $10 million for Preserve America and $15 million for Save America’s Treasures programs.
In preparation for the system’s centennial in 2016, the NPS also could benefit from another $200 million as a result of President Bush’s Centennial Challenge fund, which was established last year. At that time President Bush called for an annual account of up to $100 million of federal money to be matched each year by $100 million of donations from Americans. Last year, Congress appropriated $25 million for Centennial Challenge programs and projects.
New Coachmen Freelander Rear Wall Slideout
The 28-foot Freelander 2700RS can accommodate a queen-size bed, thanks to its rear wall slideout.
Coachmen Industries has introduced the Freelander 2700RS floor plan, the company’s first with a rear wall bedroom slideout that provides 31 feet of living space in a 28-foot type C motorhome.
The rear wall slideout extends to make room for a true residential 80-inch queen-size bed plus plenty of floor space to walk around. When it’s time to retract the slideout, push a button and the sleeping area becomes a daybed. The foot of the bed remains fixed in place, but the mattress at the head of the bed folds up to form the back of the daybed, creating a very usable walk-around living area in the rear of the coach.
The Freelander 2700RS also has a queen-size cab-over bunk, with an optional front bunk ladder that has a child restraint system to prevent falls from the cab-over bed. In all, the Freelander 2700RS comfortably sleeps six. An entertainment center with a 26-inch LCD TV, DVD player, and Bose Wave radio is an option for the cab-over bunk. Even with the entertainment center, the bunk still can sleep a full-size adult.
In the kitchen, designers created a smart and functional counter with a peninsula to make more efficient use of space. The galley has a three-burner range with oven, as well as a microwave oven and a double-door refrigerator.
The comfort lounge sofa in the living area has its own slideout, making the living area even roomier.
An all-new exterior graphics package enhances the eye appeal of the Coachmen-exclusive sidewall design. The high-gloss exterior skin is laminated to a composite substrate that resists moisture and weighs less than traditional wood panel substrates. The 2700RS also boasts 57 cubic feet of exterior storage.
The Freelander 2700RS has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price beginning at $85,560. For more information, visit www.easyrving.com.
Chevy-Workhorse Type C Chassis Upgraded For 2008
The 2008 Chevy-Workhorse cutaway chassis includes cabin upgrades and a more powerful engine.
Workhorse Custom Chassis has announced changes to the 2008 Chevy-Workhorse type C cutaway chassis.
The 2008 chassis, which is powered by a General Motors Vortec 6.0-liter gas engine, features an increase in horsepower from 300 to 323 at 4,600 rpm, and a torque boost from 360 pound-feet to 373 pound-feet at 4,400 rpm.
In addition, the interior cab has a new dash and has been redesigned with an SUV feel. The interior includes larger foot wells along with a forward-mounted doghouse that creates additional room to move. Access from the exterior also is made easier by wide step pads.
Other performance and safety enhancements for 2008 include:
A new steering wheel with new cruise control activation.
New radio offerings with MP3 capabilities; automatic headlamps; new HVAC control knobs; and childproof window switches.
Updated seating materials.
The 2008 model also features a new Driver Information Center that keeps drivers updated on vital engine and vehicle functions.
The Chevy-Workhorse cutaway chassis was launched in 2004 at the National RV Trade Show with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 14,050 pounds. At the 2005 show, 9,600-pound and 12,300-pound GVWR versions of the chassis were added.
The chassis features an independent coil spring front suspension with heavy-duty stabilizer bar; a rear multileaf-spring suspension; and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS.
The cutaway platforms have gross combination weight ratings (GCWR) of 16,000 pounds for the 9,600-pound GVWR and 12,300-pound GVWR chassis, and 17,600 pounds for the 14,050-pound GVWR chassis.
The powertrain is covered by General Motors’ new, limited 5-year/100,000-mile warranty for 2008 cars and light trucks. Free 24/7 emergency roadside assistance also is provided for the same warranty period. Warranty service is provided through Chevrolet dealerships. RVers can call a 24-hour service line at (877) 424-3878 to find the nearest service center.
Workhorse officials have indicated that they expect the addition of this more powerful chassis to further boost the market share the platform experienced in 2007. According to vehicle registration data compiled by Statistical Surveys Inc. of Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Chevy-Workhorse platform averaged 20 percent market share from January through September 2007, compared to 15 percent market share for the same period in 2006.
For more information about this chassis, call (877) 294-6773 or visit www.workhorse.com.
Foretravel And Teschner Coach Establish Alliance
Type A motorhome manufacturer Foretravel Inc., based in Nacogdoches, Texas, has established an agreement with German luxury coach converter Teschner Coach LLC, to sell Foretravel Nimbus and Phenix motorhomes at Teschner’s North American sales showroom in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Teschner Coach specializes in luxury Prevost bus conversions that are built at the company’s manufacturing facility in Frankfort, Germany, and shipped back to the United States.
The partnership provides Foretravel with its seventh national dealership, and company officials believe that teaming with Teschner will provide Foretravel access to consumers looking for a high-end type A motorhome but who may not be ready for a luxury Prevost conversion.
“The association with Teschner Coach adds another dimension to assist us in presenting our products to another segment of the market,” said Lyle Reed, president of Foretravel. “Our efforts to learn from the ultra-luxury automobile market with our straightforward pricing will be enhanced by the relationship we have with this fine German coach builder.”
Teschner, which is a relative newcomer to the coach conversion market in North America, is expected to benefit from Foretravel’s history of quality and experience in the high-line motorhome business.
For more information, contact Foretravel at (800) 955-6226 (www.foretravel.com); or Teschner Coach at (702) 270-0790
(www.teschner-coach.com).
Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Fairplex Among Top Fair Draws
According to a report from CarnivalWarehouse.com, North America’s top 50 fairs drew more than 41 million visitors in 2007, and two of the top fair sites on the list also happen to be locations for FMCA’s international conventions in 2008.
The Minnesota State Fair, held at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul, ranked as the third-most-visited fair in 2007 with nearly 1.7 million patrons. FMCA members will visit this locale July 14 through 17, 2008, for the association’s 80th International Convention. The Los Angeles County Fair, held at Fairplex in Pomona, California, followed in fourth position with more than 1.3 million visitors. FMCA held its most recent convention at this site in late February.
The top two most-attended fairs according to the list were the Texas State Fair, with more than 2 million visitors, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, with more than 1.8 million attendees.
Xanterra Parks & Resorts Hiring Seasonal Workers
Xanterra Parks & Resorts, which operates concessions in Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Crater Lake, Death Valley, Rocky Mountain, and Petrified Forest national parks, as well as Mount Rushmore National Memorial, is now hiring thousands of seasonal workers for the summer. Xanterra also operates the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, Arizona; the Silverado Resort in Napa, California; and eight Ohio state parks.
A wide variety of jobs exist, including those in the areas of lodging, maintenance, food service, campground management, accounting, housekeeping, human resources, interpretation, laundry, marina, entertainment, reservations, retail, security, transportation, and others. Prospective workers need to have a good attitude, a willingness to work hard, and a little flexibility in their schedules.
While the company needs employees who can work the traditional June-through-August summer season, it also is looking for seasonal workers who have the flexibility to work as early as May and as late as October.
Xanterra typically hires many college students seeking summer employment, but senior workers have become increasingly important. The company appreciates seniors’ work ethic, experience, flexibility, and ability to work until the end of the season.
Dormitory-style living quarters are available, and parking spaces are provided for the employees who bring their own RVs. Employees do pay a nominal fee to cover cost of the rooms or parking spaces, their meals, laundry, and bedding, if applicable.
To learn more about employment opportunities or to request a job application, visit the individual parks’ Web sites and follow the employment link. Prospective employees can apply online at all parks, except for Yellowstone National Park, by going to www.xanterra.com/applying-online-349.html. Job application requests also can be made by fax at (307) 344-5441 or e-mail at ynpjobs@xanterra.com. To apply for a job at Yellowstone, call (307) 344-5324 or visit www.yellowstonejobs.com.
Prevost Accelerates Plans Regarding Volvo Engines
According to bus shell manufacturer Prevost, which is part of Volvo Bus Corporation, it has been notified by Detroit Diesel that its parent company, Daimler AG, plans to discontinue selling Detroit Diesel engines to companies outside the Daimler family beginning in 2010. This includes the motor coach and fire truck markets in North America, except for businesses owned by Daimler.
Prevost’s press release states that Detroit Diesel has assured the bus shell manufacturer that it will continue to fully support all vehicles equipped with Detroit Diesel engines now and in the future.
According to the press release, the announcement will accelerate Prevost’s strategy to offer Volvo engines to its various coach markets. Parent company AB Volvo is the leading heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturer in the world. In North America, Volvo engines can be found in Prevost coaches, Volvo coaches, Volvo trucks, Mack trucks, and Volvo construction equipment.
The aftermarket service points for Volvo engines are extensive, and Prevost is in the process of identifying and providing bus-specific training for service centers that will best suit its customers.