National Parks Set Fee-Free Days For 2019
The National Park Service will waive all entrance fees on these days in 2019:
*January 21: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
*April 20: First day of National Park Week/National Junior Ranger Day
*August 25: National Park Service anniversary
*September 28: National Public Lands Day
*November 11: Veterans Day
Of the 418 parks managed by the park service, 115 charge entrance fees regularly. The entrance fee waiver does not cover amenity or user fees such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours. Information: www.nps.gov.
Jayco Extends Customer Service Hours For Dealers
Jayco has extended the hours that its customer service department is available to dealers, effective October 29, 2018. Dealers throughout the United States and Canada now can call customer service for parts, service, and support from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in all time zones, Monday through Friday.
LiquidSpring Suspension Available From Detroit Custom Chassis
CLASS monitors various signals and motion at each motorhome wheel and adjusts stiffness and damping of corner struts.
LiquidSpring’s CLASS, which stands for Compressible Liquid Adaptive Suspension System, now is available for all Ford F-53 motorhome chassis through Detroit Custom Chassis in Detroit, Michigan.
The patented suspension system adjusts stiffness and damping automatically based on road conditions. It is designed to reduce road vibration, equipment wear and tear, and driver fatigue, while offering a smoother ride.
For more information, visit www.liquidspring.com or www.detroitcustomchassis.com.
Maine Poised To Join States With Outdoor Recreation Office Or Task Force
Maine’s Department of Economic and Community Development announced last fall that Carolann Ouellette had been named director of the state’s new Office of Outdoor Recreation. The temporary office and position will become permanent pending approval by the Maine legislature. If that happens, Maine would become the 12th state with an official office or task force to support outdoor recreation.
In February 2018, the RV Industry Association, along with other members of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, called for the governors of all 50 states to establish offices or task forces focused on outdoor recreation.
States with outdoor recreation offices or task forces include Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming.
Thor Unveils Diesel-Powered Type C Motorhomes
Thor Motor Coach has introduced two new Type C motorhomes, the “Super C” Omni and Magnitude. Both are built on the Ford F-550 chassis and are equipped with a PowerStroke 6.7-liter diesel engine. Towing capacity is 10,000 pounds.
The Omni is Thor Motor Coach’s new “Super C” motorhome built on a Ford F-550 chassis.
Three floor plans are available. Amenities include a panoramic skylight with a power shade; a standard king-size bed; high-gloss, solid-wood cabinetry; a residential stainless-steel refrigerator; a glass shower door; and a bedroom charging station with a CPAP-machine outlet. In addition, the models are said to feature the largest overhead bunks currently available.
Other features include the Mobileye collision avoidance system; the FireFly multiplex wiring system; and a Cummins Onan 6,000-watt generator. For more information, call (800) 860-5658 or visit www.thormotorcoach.com.
Girard And Truma Construct New Facilities
The Girard Group broke ground in November 2018 for a new factory in Red Bay, Alabama. The 40,000-square-foot facility will manufacture Girard awnings and Girard Guard products, and it will serve as a warehouse for Girard’s propane appliances. It also will include a service center where customers can have awnings and other products installed and serviced.
Truma leaders and local and state officials break ground in November 2018 for the company’s new North American headquarters in Elkhart, Indiana.
The factory, Girard’s fifth location, is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2019. For more information, call (949) 259-4000 or visit www.girardrv.com.
Also in November 2018, RV component supplier Truma broke ground for its new North American headquarters in Elkhart, Indiana. The facility is expected to be completed by August 2019. Gerhard Hundsberger, Truma’s president and CEO, said the headquarters now has 20 employees and expects to double that number in the next few years. For information about Truma, visit www.truma.net.
Website Helps RVers Plan Winter Stays In Texas
For information on Texas RV parks, like this one in Galveston, visit www.texascampgrounds.com.
Texas campgrounds and RV parks stay busy in winter as people make their annual pilgrimage to the Lone Star State. Many RVers plan their cold-weather escapes by using the travel-planning website of the Texas Association of Campground Owners, www.texascampgrounds.com. The website provides descriptions, photos, and links to more than 350 campgrounds, RV parks, and resorts.
Georgia Bans Use Of Handheld Wireless Phones While Driving
Georgia has joined other states in passing distracted driving laws that ban the use of handheld wireless phones while driving.
Those who will attend FMCA’s 99th International Convention in Perry, Georgia, March 13 through 16, should take note: In 2018, Georgia became the 16th state to ban the use of handheld wireless phones while driving. The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands also have such a law.
Distracted driving laws for each state have been compiled by the Governors Highway Safety Administration. Visit its website, www.ghsa.org/state-laws/issues/Distracted-Driving, and click on a state of interest. The site also allows users to download a PDF chart of all states’ distracted driving laws.
Cummins Executive Elected RVIA Board Chair
Garry Enyart, director of mobile generator sales and coach care for Cummins Inc., was elected chairman of the RV Industry Association (RVIA) board of directors for the 2019 fiscal year, effective October 1, 2018. Mr. Enyart serves on the FMCA Commercial Council as well.
RVIA’s board also named a new executive committee: first vice chairman Matt Miller, president of Newmar Corporation; second vice chairman Michael Happe, president and CEO of Winnebago Industries Inc.; treasurer Jeff Rutherford, president and CEO of Airxcel Inc.; secretary Robert Martin, president and CEO of Thor Industries Inc.; ex officio Bob Parish, a vice president of Wells Fargo; and RVIA president Frank Hugelmeyer.
Lippert Components Reaches Community Service Goal
Lippert Components Inc. (LCI) officials set a goal for its more than 10,000 employees to complete 100,000 hours of community service in 2018. That goal was reached on October 23, more than two months ahead of schedule.
Each of the past two years, LCI employees have committed to volunteering their time to various causes and organizations in communities where they live, work, and play. In 2018, the initiative impacted communities in 16 states and more than 1,000 organizations.
Participation was coordinated through Acts of Service, a free web-based tool created by LCI. Acts of Service connects volunteers with community service opportunities. To learn more, visit www.actsofservice.com.
Sunset RV Adds New Towable RV Line
Sunset Park RV Manufacturing has introduced its newest towable RV line, the Liberty Independence. The travel trailer has four floor plans and is available in lengths ranging from 26 feet to 33 feet.
The Sun-Lite travel trailer is among the offerings from Sunset Park RV Manufacturing.
The Independence package includes an outside shower; a ducted 13,500-Btu air conditioner; a spare tire kit; four stabilizer jacks; and two 20-pound propane tanks with a cover. The Freedom package includes a 6-cubic-foot double-door refrigerator; a microwave oven; cable/satellite hookup; a queen-size bed; a power awning; interior LED lighting; and more.
Sunset Park RV, which is based in Shipshewana, Indiana, also makes the Sunray, the Sun-Lite, and the Rush Toy Hauler lines. For more information, call (260) 535-1466 or visit www.sunsettrailers.com.