RV News And Notes: Thor Motor Coach Unveils New Floor Plans
Thor Motor Coach displayed new floor plans in its Tuscany, Four Winds, Hurricane, and Vegas motorhome lines during the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) National RV Trade Show last November in Louisville, Kentucky. Here’s a brief overview of each:
| Tuscany 40RT: A Type A diesel pusher with triple slideouts, extensive kitchen workspace, and four televisions, including a retractable 55-inch LED Smart HDTV in the living area. |
 |
Four Winds 25V: A Type C motorhome with twin beds that convert to a king, and a large wardrobe in the rear bedroom. |
 |
Hurricane 34R: A Type A, gas-powered, two-slideout model, including a full-wall slideout; two large-screen TVs in the living room, and theater seats with footrests. |
 |
Vegas 25.6: Labeled an RUV (recreational utility vehicle) by Thor, it features a full-wall slideout, a flip-up queen bed, and stabilizing jacks. |
For more information, call (800) 860-5658 or visit www.thormotorcoach.com.
Alaska Offers Free Vacation Planner
 |
The Official Alaska State Vacation Planner for 2018 is available. The print travel guide includes maps, sample itineraries, activities, and more. To request a free copy, fill out the order form at www.travelalaska.com/Planners/Planner.aspx. |
Alabama Service Tech Wins Competition
 |
Brandon Galbreath, an RV service technician at D&N RV Service in Guntersville, Alabama, won the inaugural Top Tech Challenge held last November at the National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky. The two-day competition tested technicians’ ability to troubleshoot and diagnose problems with RV components. Mr. Galbreath received a trophy and $10,000.
In the first round of the timed competition, eight technicians, each with at least five years of experience, had to rebuild an in-wall slide mechanism, troubleshoot a furnace fault, troubleshoot an air-conditioner problem, and install a weight-distribution system. In the second round, three finalists will be troubleshooting problems with a water heater, a 12-volt system, and a refrigerator. “It was fascinating to see the depth of skill and knowledge that these techs possess when it comes to the complexities of RV maintenance and repair processes,” said Sharonne Lee, RVIA senior director, education. The judges were RV industry veterans with expertise in the specific components being diagnosed. Airxcel, Dometic Corporation, Lippert Components Inc., and Thetford Corporation sponsored the event, which was emceed by “RV Doctor” and FMC magazine contributor Gary Bunzer. |
Go RVing Campaign Celebrates 20 Years Of Success
When the Go RVing national advertising and marketing campaign launched in 1997, RV sales hovered around 250,000 units per year. Two decades later, the RV industry campaign is still going amid annual shipments of approximately a half million RVs. That was cause for celebration this past November at the National RV Trade Show.
The campaign is tied to RV manufacturers, component suppliers, dealers, and campgrounds, and strives to provide the public and media with information about the benefits of RV travel and camping. Over the years, the campaign’s themes have evolved, from “Wherever You Go, You’re Always at Home” to the current tagline, “Find Your Away.”
Three major Go RVing research projects are under way and are expected to be unveiled this spring, according to Bob Wheeler, co-chair of the Go RVing Coalition.
Lazydays RV Announces Merger
Lazydays RV Center Inc. announced in October 2017 that it would be acquired by Adina Acquisition Group, which plans to take the combined company public as Lazydays Holdings Inc. It will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Lazydays Holdings and will be listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the name LAZY.
Lazydays operates RV dealerships in Tampa, Florida; Tucson, Arizona; and Loveland, Denver, and Longmont, Colorado. The Tampa dealership claims the title of America’s largest single RV dealership.
Lazydays chairman and CEO William P. Murname will continue in those roles after the deal is completed. In a press release, he said the merger gives the company the ability to rapidly become a public company and continue to grow. Other senior managers at Lazydays also will remain in their current roles. Lazydays will continue business as usual, according to the release.
Gulf Stream Unveils Travel Trailer Lines
Gulf Stream Coach this past fall launched two new lines of travel trailers, the Capri and the Cabin Cruiser.
The designs allow The Capri to be easy to tow and maneuver. Seven floor plans are available. Standard features include handcrafted cabinets; 30-amp service with a 45-amp converter with charger; a system-monitor panel; and a seamless vinyl roof. Options include an outside shower, and a Murphy bed in two floor plans.
The Cabin Cruiser line offers interiors with knotty pine paneling that suggests a cozy, relaxed atmosphere. Standard features include vacuum-bonded, laminated fiberglass sidewalls; a welded tubular aluminum frame; and a one-piece vinyl roof. Options include an electric awning with LED lights; a microwave oven; and a roof air conditioner.
For more information, call (800) 289-8787 or visit www.gulfstreamcoach.com.
U.S. Agencies Set Fee-Free Days
 |
The National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Forest Service have set fee-free days for 2018. Entrance fees to sites managed by these agencies will be waived on the following dates:
February 19: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Forest Service April 21: National Park Service June 9: U.S. Forest Service September 22: National Park Service; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Forest Service October 14: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service November 10: U.S. Forest Service November 11: National Park Service; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. Forest Service Also, thanks to the Every Kid in a Park program, every day can be a fee-free day for families with a fourth-grader. Fourth-graders can obtain an Every Kid in a Park pass by visiting www.everykidinapark.gov. |
RV Industry Awards Announced
 |
Derald Bontrager of Jayco Inc. received the highest honor bestowed by Recreation Vehicle Industry Association, the RVIA Distinguished Service to the RV Industry Award. The presentation was made in November during the RV Industry Awards event at the National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky.
Mr. Bontrager, a former chairman of RVIA, was selected for the award based on his extensive service to the organization and his success at the helm of Jayco, where he is chairman and CEO. Jayco was owned by the Bontrager family for 48 years until 2016, when it was acquired by Thor Industries Inc. The event also included these presentations:
|