Alliance RV Launches Midprofile Fifth-Wheel
Alliance RV, one of the newest RV manufacturing companies, expanded its product lineup in June with its third model, a midprofile fifth-wheel known as the Avenue. Four floor plans currently are available, with more to come throughout the rest of the year. The Avenue’s gross vehicle weight ranges from 9,000 to 12,000 pounds, making it towable by a larger segment of the tow vehicle market, according to company officials. Prices range from $65,000 to $80,000.
Features include 101-inch wide-body construction, a fully laminated floor, Azdel sidewalls, performance running gear enhancements, innovative storage solutions, carpet-free interiors, flush-floor slideouts, and heating and air-conditioning upgrades.
General manager Ab Saleh noted that company representatives spent considerable time engaging with RVers to crowdsource the design of the Avenue. “Listening to the feedback from those who frequently use RVs has helped us design a fifth-wheel that addresses many common issues and desires in this category,” he said.
For more information, visit www.alliancerv.com.
Trident Funding Expands, Sees Record-Breaking Year
The boom in the RV market has not only had a positive impact on manufacturers but on financing companies as well. Trident Funding announced in August that it is on its way to a third straight record-setting year, and it is hiring a team that will be devoted exclusively to financing RV sales. James Barron was named director of the RV team.
Trident is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2021. At this writing, the privately held, Connecticut-based company has provided nearly 40,000 loans ranging from $20,000 to $20 million. In addition to the RV industry, Trident also provides financing to the marine and aircraft industries.
Airxcel Debuts Mobile Showcase
RVs are mobile, so if you’re looking to sell aftermarket products to RV owners, it only makes sense to meet them where they are — on the road. That’s exactly what Airxcel did when it debuted its mobile showcase at the Winnebago Grand National Rally in July. The trailer allows a sales team to display products from the company’s range of RV-specific brands, while providing space for technicians to operate a service and installation hub. RVers can have existing equipment checked and serviced, or have new products installed.
Keith Walker, Airxcel advertising and events manager, noted that owners enjoyed seeing and touching components that typically are not very accessible within their RVs.
Coachmen RV Rebrands Type C Motorhome
The Cross Trail reflects new floor plans and features — and a new name.
Coachmen RV, which introduced a generation of RVers to the industry through its Type C motorhomes, is shifting to meet the demands of today’s RVers. The company recently announced that it has transformed its Cross Trek model and has renamed it the Cross Trail.
The motorhomes are designed to meet customer requests for functional, storage-centric Type C floor plans. The Cross Trail series has new features and eight available floor plans. Gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR) range from 11,000 pounds to 14,500 pounds and lengths from 24 feet 1 inch to 34 feet 10 inches.
“The Cross Trail answers the call of the emerging adventure RVer,” said Mike Bear, general manager of Type C motorhomes for Coachmen, a division of Forest River Inc.
For more information, visit www.coachmenrv.com.
Thor Partners With Actor/Producer For Online Adventure
Thor Motor Coach partnered with actor and emerging RVer Jaime Camil to chronicle his travels.
Actor and producer Jaime Camil rented a motorhome during the pandemic as a means of getting away and taking a vacation with his family, and he fell in love with the RV lifestyle. Earlier this year, Thor Motor Coach formed a partnership with Camil, a highly influential Latin American entertainer, and provided him a Vegas motorhome. He is chronicling his travels across the United States on his social media platforms.
The Vegas is one of Thor’s smallest Type A motorhomes, said to be ideal for a first-time RV owner. Camil travels with his wife, actor/entrepreneur Heidi Balvanera, and their two children, Elena and Jaime III. “The exploring is amazing, but making memories with my family is what I’m looking forward to the most,” Camil said.
Camil is a two-time Teen Choice Award winner for his acting in the CW comedy series “Jane the Virgin.” He was executive producer and star of the CBS sitcom “Broke” and now stars in the new Apple TV+ series “Schmigadoon!”
Go RVing Launches New Quarterly Newsletter
In addition to website and social media posts designed to advance the RV lifestyle, officials at Go RVing announced earlier this year that they are adding a quarterly newsletter to their stable of RV-related content. The newsletter is targeted specifically to new and potential RVers. The aim is to keep them engaged by providing resources, expert advice, how-to information, and inspirational content in the face of record-breaking demand for RVs. The newsletter goes to anyone who signs up at GoRVing.com. It includes a first-timers tool kit and provides guidance on a number of topics such as what to consider when buying an RV, basic maintenance, and where to find additional information, plus camping hacks, tips, recipes, and more.