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RV News: October 2015

October 1, 2015

RV/MH Hall Of Fame Inducts 10

The Class of 2015 induction ceremony was held August 3 at the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana. Nearly 350 people saw five people each from the RV and manufactured housing industries enter the hall. The RV inductees include:

Sherman Goldenberg, co-owner and publisher of RVBusiness and Woodall’s Campground Management magazines. The former Family Motor Coaching magazine contributor joined RVBusiness in the mid-1980s as Midwest editor and worked his way up to become editor and then publisher. His other honors include Recreation Vehicle Industry Association’s (RVIA) David J. Humphreys RV Industry Unity Award and the Distinguished Service in Journalism Award.
Paul Hanser, founder of HWH Corporation, C731. He is an engineer, inventor, innovator, and a manufacturer of quality RV products, with more than 56 patents to his credit. He pioneered the use of computerized hydraulics to level RVs. His volunteer work includes writing and editing a hydraulics manual for RVIA. He has provided training for thousands of technicians in basic and advanced hydraulics as well as electronics.
Marlene Sine, of Marlene Sine & Associates, C2568, the RV industry’s first female manufacturer’s agent. She has introduced thousands of products to the industry by educating and training others on how to promote to distributors, dealers, and consumers. She has volunteered thousands of hours to serve and support many industry associations. She is also an aftermarket parts and accessories store owner, and she has developed new products for the industry as a supplier.

The other RV inductees were Bert Alanko of MBA Insurance in Arizona, and Bill Thomas of Bill Thomas Camper Sales in Missouri.

In addition, the Hall of Fame Spirit Award was presented to Don Magary, a Hall of Fame member, publisher of RV News, and a former FMC contributor.

Thor Motor Coach A.C.E. Evolves

Consumer demand for more amenities was a driving force behind the 2016 model designs at Thor Motor Coach, Chris Carter, a company manager, said.

Such was the case with the gas-powered 2016 A.C.E., a Type A motorhome built on the Ford F-53 chassis. The A.C.E.’s new automotive-style front cap and integrated LED driving lights complement the distinctive front brow, which is designed to eliminate distracting sunlight and heat.

The A.C.E. features the Bird’s Eye window, located near the passenger’s feet, which helps eliminate a driver’s blind spot. A side-view camera system is intended to make changing lanes easier and safer.

In the cockpit, new screen mirroring technology in the touch-screen dash radio allows an owner to use his or her own GPS navigation from a tablet or smartphone. A passenger can use a laptop on the fold-out dash workstation, which has 12-volt and 120-volt outlets nearby.

In the living space, A.C.E. motorhomes feature the Better Homes and Gardens RV Fabric Collection, including a leatherette sofa. The bedroom has a Denver Mattress bed with a designer headboard.

Thor’s Hurricane and Windsport Type A models, also built on the Ford F-53 chassis, have new standard upgrades as well. These include Pet-Link, a multipurpose tie-down that keeps pets within plain view while their owners relax outside. It can also be used to lock down a bike.

TV sizes have increased in all the company’s Type A motorhomes. Also, LED puck ceiling lights have been installed to provide better light distribution and reduce energy costs.

For more information, call (800) 860-5658 or visit www.thormotorcoach.com.

Winnebago’s Top Executive Departs

Randy Potts retired as chairman of the board, CEO, and president of Winnebago Industries Inc., effective August 6, 2015, the company announced.

Larry Erickson, Winnebago’s lead independent director, said: “We are deeply grateful to Randy for his 32 years of service at Winnebago, where as CEO and president he guided the company through challenging economic times, as well as a successful recovery. Today the company is well positioned both financially and operationally. After having extensive discussions with Randy, we collectively agreed that this is the appropriate time for new leadership. We wish him the best in his retirement.”

Former chairman and CEO Robert Olson was appointed interim CEO while the board of directors searches for the next CEO.

Spartan Shares Tips, Displays Chassis

Spartan Specialty Vehicles, a unit of Spartan Motors Inc., took advantage of two popular July 2015 events to showcase its Type A motorhome chassis and to share motorhome maintenance tips that owners can perform. Spartan representatives were on hand at FMCA’s 92nd Family Reunion & Motorhome Showcase in Madison, Wisconsin, and at the Newmar Kountry Klub 2015 International Rally in Lewisburg, West Virginia.

The training sessions at both events offered a glimpse of the full-service Spartan Owners Academy, a weeklong driving, maintenance, and systems familiarization course hosted by Spartan multiple times a year. Owners of Entegra, Newmar, and Foretravel motorhomes — as well as people interested in purchasing motorhomes built on Spartan chassis — can camp at Spartan facilities while they learn about their coach.

For more information, call (800) 543-4277 or visit www.spartanmotors.com.

Lazydays Expands Tampa Land Holdings

Lazydays has acquired a 3.76-acre parcel adjacent to its RV dealership near Tampa, Florida.

The parcel, previously owned by Lazydays founder Don Wallace, includes a vacant building and 14 service bays. The addition means the Lazydays campus along Interstate 4, east of Tampa, now totals 126 acres. That location includes more than 1,200 RVs, more than 220 service bays, a 300-site RV resort, and facilities associated with the Crown Club customer loyalty program.

Lazydays did not immediately unveil its plans for the parcel. However, the service bays were expected to be operating as soon as possible.

RVSEF Provides Tire Training At Jayco

More than 90 Jayco Inc. employees recently attended tire-safety sessions led by Walter Cannon, executive director of the RV Safety & Education Foundation (RVSEF). Participants were from all Jayco motorized and towable divisions, including key personnel from the Entegra brand.

The sessions help RV manufacturers understand proper tire sizing, weight ratings, and correct applications for recreation vehicles. Jayco, a long-time partner in education with RVSEF, has taken a proactive approach by providing the classes to key personnel across all of its product lines.

Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) endorses the mission and work of RVSEF. RVSEF encourages all RV manufacturers to follow Jayco’s lead and contact RVSEF about future training opportunities. Call (321) 453-7673 or visit www.rvsafety.com.

Country Coach Comeback In The Works

Production of County Coach motorhomes could resume in Junction City, Oregon, if a deal with investors is finalized, Ron Lee, president and CEO of Country Coach Corporation, told RVBusiness.com for a story published in late August.

The original Country Coach Inc. dates to 1973 but declared bankruptcy in 2009 and was liquidated. Ron Lee — the brother of the original founder and CEO, Bob Lee — bought the company’s assets and intellectual property in 2010.

In 2014, Ron Lee personally began funding the construction of a prototype motorhome in an attempt to bring back the Country Coach brand. The 2016 Country Coach Allure, a 45-foot Type A built on the company’s Dynomax chassis and equipped with a 500-horsepower Cummins engine, was recently completed.

“I can’t give too many specifics, because nothing is signed yet, but we’ve found investors,” Mr. Lee told RVBusiness.com, describing the project as “imminent.”

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