Beverly Gardner Made Mark In RV Publishing
Beverly Gardner, whose long career as an RV industry publisher’s representative included selling advertising for FMCA’s magazine, died of ALS on October 23, 2018. The Elkhart, Indiana, resident was 71.
After many years as an independent publishers’ rep, Ms. Gardner partnered with Sherm Goldenberg in 2011 and founded G&G Media Group LLC, publisher of RVBusiness and Woodall’s Campground Management magazines. Ms. Gardner retired in 2017.
“Beverly was a delightful person,” said Pamela Kay, FMCA director of communications, publishing. “Her bubbly personality and her boundless enthusiasm made her a joy to be around. She worked very hard for FMCA during her many years as an advertising representative for the monthly magazine and contributed greatly to the association’s success. Those of us at FMCA who knew her are saddened by the news of her passing and extend our sincere condolences to her family.”
Ms. Gardner served as a board member of the RV/MH Heritage Foundation Inc. She also helped launch the RV Industry Power Breakfast, the RVBusiness Top 50 Dealer Awards, and the RVBusiness RV of the Year programs.
“The RVers” TV Show Coming In 2019
A new TV series focused on the RV lifestyle is expected to debut late in 2019. “The RVers” will premiere on PBS in the United States and on Bell TV in Canada, and also will be available via iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Prime, Microsoft Xbox, and Vudu.
The show is a project of FourPoints Television, producer of “The Aviators,” which is in its eighth season on PBS and other outlets. RV celebrity hosts will provide an in-depth look at various aspects of RV life. All of the hosts have large followings on YouTube, with a combined audience of more than 550,000 subscribers.
Tech hosts: Cherie Ve Ard and Chris Dunphy of Technomadia, www.technomadia.com.
Type B host: Anthony Nalli, host of “The Aviators.”
Type A host: Peter Knize and John Sullivan of The RV Geeks, www.rvgeeks.com.
Truck, trailer, fifth-wheel host: J.D. of Big Truck Big RV, www.bigtruckbigrv.com.
Type C host: Eric Jacobs of Nomadic Fanatic.
For more information, visit “The RVers” Facebook page at www.facebook.com/therverstv.
Winnebago Helps Develop Electric Mobile Lung Unit
Winnebago has teamed up with several partners to develop the first all-electric Mobile Lung Unit (eMLU), a specialty health care vehicle designed to offer lung cancer screenings for people at high risk for the disease.
The all-electric Mobile Lung Unit health care vehicle is equipped with a full-body CT scanner.
The vehicle is built on Motiv Power Systems’ EPIC 6 (Electric Powered Intelligent Chassis), which is based on the Ford F-53 chassis. The eMLU is equipped with a state-of-the-art Samsung NeuroLogica BodyTom Elite, the world’s first portable, full-body, 32-slice CT scanner.
About 8 million U.S. residents are at high risk for lung cancer, according to the American Lung Association. The eMLU can travel from city to city to provide lung diagnostic services. To take a lung cancer screening eligibility quiz, visit www.savedbythescan.org.
Venture RV’s Stratus Travel Trailer Debuts
Venture RV, a division of KZ-RV, has introduced the Stratus, a lightweight travel trailer that is available in six floor plans and four high-gloss exterior colors. More floor plans are in the works.
The Stratus, a lightweight travel trailer from Venture RV, features woodwork that blends alpine white and dark mountain walnut.
Stratus designers aimed to create a cool, urban vibe. Interior features include woodwork that blends alpine white and dark mountain walnut, following a trend in residential design of mixed cabinetry. The RV also includes an 8-cubic-foot refrigerator, a pantry (which is a walk-in pantry in some models), and a residential queen-size bed. The Stratus’ dry weight ranges from 4,500 pounds to 6,200 pounds.
Venture RV is headquartered in Shipshewana, Indiana. For more information, call (888) 829-6320 or visit www.venture-rv.com.
RV Dealerships Set To Change Hands
RV Retailer LLC and Lazydays Holdings Inc. have announced acquisitions of RV dealerships.
RV Retailer LLC will acquire RV One Superstores in a deal that is expected to close by the end of 2018. By volume, RV One ranks as the top RV dealer in New York, the number-three RV dealer in Florida, and the number-five RV dealer in the United States, according to an RV One press release.
When the deal is complete, RV Retailer will have 17 stores in Texas, Florida, New York, and Iowa.
RV One will continue to operate under that name. The company was founded by the Strollo family and will continue to be led by Don Strollo, who will retain a significant ownership stake in the business.
Lazydays Holdings Inc. will acquire Tennessee RV Supercenter in a deal that is expected to close by the end of 2018. Tennessee RV is located near the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is a regular recipient of the RVBusiness Top 50 Dealer Award. The dealership will be rebranded as Lazydays RV of Knoxville. Lazydays also operates dealerships in Florida, Colorado, Arizona, and Minnesota.
Grand Opening Held For Cava Robles RV Resort
Sun RV Resorts held a grand opening ceremony in September 2018 for its Cava Robles RV Resort in Paso Robles, California. The resort opened on a limited basis in spring 2018.
The clubhouse is one of the amenities that guests can enjoy at Cava Robles RV Resort in Paso Robles, California.
Cava Robles, billed as a Signature Sun RV Resort, has 310 full-service RV sites. Amenities include a pool recreation center with pizza ovens, indoor and outdoor game areas, and a bistro that offers local fare and beverages; a fitness center with a spa and lap pool; hiking and biking trails; a pet park; and a playground.
The Paso Robles area has more than 200 wineries, plus a downtown with many shops, restaurants, and art galleries.
For more information, call (844) 641-5093 or visit www.cavaroblesrvresort.com.
Jayco Introduces Jaysmart Lighting System
Jayco has developed a new patent-pending exterior lighting system for travel trailers and fifth-wheels, called JaySMART, which stands for Safety Markers And Reverse Travel. The system is being implemented across multiple Jayco RV lines.
JaySMART is an LED lighting safety feature that operates in conjunction with a trailer’s running lights, side markers, taillights, and backup lights. When a driver operates the tow vehicle’s turn signal, the front and rear upper corner lights and all side markers flash in unison to alert nearby motorists of the driver’s intention to turn. Also, brake lights operate from an elevated position on the rear of the RV, increasing trailing motorists’ ability to see such lights.
JaySMART also includes an LED backup light feature. The rear-facing light illuminates the area behind a trailer when the tow vehicle is shifted into reverse.
For more information, visit www.jayco.com/jaysmart.
Lonely Planet Unveils Top Destinations
Travel website Lonely Planet has released its best travel destinations for 2019. The full list includes countries, cities, and regions around the world. Here are the North American spots:
Manitoba, Canada, where this polar bear roams, is among the top regional travel destinations for 2019, according to Lonely Planet.
Top 10 cities: Miami, Florida (number four); Mexico City, Mexico (number six); Seattle, Washington (number eight).
Top 10 regions: The Catskills (number two); Manitoba, Canada (number eight).
Best value destinations: Great Smoky Mountains National Park (number three); Houston, Texas (number five).
For the full list, visit www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel.
Large RV Park Approved For Hilton Head Area
A 185-acre park with spots for 950 RVs has been approved for the Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, area. Florida-based Compass RV made the request, which was granted by Hardeeville City Council. Hardeeville is about 20 miles west of Hilton Head.
RVs would be able to stay at the park for periods as long as 18 months, according to a story in The Island Packet newspaper. Early site plans show amenities such as a swimming pool and pickleball and bocce courts.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2019. An opening date has not been set, but Hardeeville’s mayor told the newspaper the first phase of construction would involve commercial amenities and 120 RV spots.
Thor Highlights Technology In Its Motorhomes
Thor Motor Coach is calling attention to high-tech features in its newest motorhomes.
Thor Motor Coach’s Tuscany 45JA motorhome is equipped with the Winegard ConnecT 4G/Wi-Fi system.
For example, the Hurricane 33X is a Type A gas-powered motorhome with a multiplex wiring system that allows users to control the generator, slideouts, air-conditioning, and more with a mobile device or full-color touchscreen.
The Tuscany 45JA is a Type A diesel-powered motorhome with the Winegard ConnecT 4G/Wi-Fi system, a 300-watt solar charging system, a Firefly multiplex wiring control system, and Surge Guard electrical protection.
Thor’s Mercedes-Benz Sprinter lineup includes the Siesta, the Citation, and the Synergy, each with the 24MB floor plan that includes an electronically-controlled Murphy bed.
For more information, call (800) 860-5658 or visit www.thormotorcoach.com.