Industry Leaders Launching New RV Manufacturer
Several well-known industry executives have unveiled plans for a new towable RV manufacturing firm on the southeast side of Goshen, Indiana, called Brinkley RV. Construction has begun on three 175,000-square-foot production facilities on a 252-acre campus near the Elkhart County Fairgrounds, RVBusiness reported.
Ron Fenech, a former RV senior group president for Thor Industries Inc. and a cofounder of Grand Design RV, plans to serve in an advisory role. Day-to-day management will be handled by the other three co-owners: Ryan Thwaits, formerly affiliated with Red Rock Supply and Indiana Transport, and former Grand Design veterans Nate Goldenberg and Micah Staley.
Production is slated to begin in late 2022 or early 2023, RVBusiness reported. The company projects employing up to 350 workers by the end of next year.
Campsite Booking Website, App
The Spot2Nite campground reservation platform has launched a new website version.
Spot2Nite, an online reservation platform built by RVers, has launched the website version of its mobile application, providing travelers access to immediate campsite booking. With an inventory of more than 500 campgrounds and thousands of RV spots across North America, Spot2Nite is an online travel agency specifically built for private RV campgrounds. Launched in 2019, the platform is an integration partner with five property management systems: RMS Cloud, CheckFront, Newbook, ResNexus, and Roverpass.
“We focused on delivering our mobile versions first as we understood the rapidly changing consumer dynamics, but also understand that there is a tremendous number of travelers wanting to search via desktop,” said Sam Bruner, COO and cofounder of Spot2Nite.
Travelers have increased access and real-time visibility to book RV parks from their desktops or mobile devices without making phone calls to the facilities to assess availability and book a spot. Moreover, park owners that utilize integrated reservation systems with Spot2Nite receive additional exposure to RV travelers, enabling users to book directly within their existing park management software.
For more information, visit www.spot2nite.com.
Spartan RV Chassis Debuts Premier Drive System
Spartan’s Premier Drive features new independent front suspension.
Spartan RV Chassis, a brand of The Shyft Group, recently unveiled Spartan Premier Drive, a single, comprehensive, and proprietary chassis system for luxury Type A diesel motorhomes that company officials describe as “engineered to deliver the best possible ride quality.”
Premier Drive is an integrated collection of advanced chassis technologies. End to end, each element is engineered to isolate and absorb bumps in the road. These include an all-new independent front suspension (IFS) with custom-built, high-performance shocks designed for motorhome use. Drivers reportedly experience a tighter, more automotive feel with better steering control and a 55-degree wheel cut for advanced maneuverability. The IFS also incorporates an air disc brake system.
Other features include a robust frame and cross-member system; Spartan RV Chassis’ torsion control system; an advanced tag axle with a 17-degree wheel cut; and E-Z Steer technology, which allows the driver to adjust steering effort in various driving conditions.
Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Proposal
Proposed antitheft legislation would mandate identifying numbers on catalytic converters.
U.S. Representative Jim Baird (R-Indiana 4th District) introduced a bill in Congress earlier this year that seeks to reduce catalytic converter theft by helping police to identify stolen parts.
The proposed law, H.R. 6394, the “Preventing Auto Recycling Thefts (PART) Act,” would require all converters to be stamped with a traceable VIN number. It also proposes to fund a grant program to stamp these numbers onto existing catalytic converters. The bill has received support from numerous industry partners, including the RV Dealers Association and the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Because of the various precious metals found in catalytic converters, such as rhodium and platinum, law enforcement has seen an uptick in thefts of catalytic converters. In addition, they are not easily traceable and are expensive to replace. By marking these components, police would be able to locate them more easily and could enforce laws that prohibit their theft and resale of the valuable minerals to scrap dealers for hundreds of dollars. The proposed PART Act also would improve recordkeeping standards for scrap yards that purchase catalytic converters.
“By closing long-exploited loopholes and strengthening law enforcement’s ability to locate stolen parts and enforce the law, we can create a safer environment for vehicle owners and put a stop to these crimes once and for all,” Baird noted.
KZ RV Donated To “Make-A-Wish” Recipient
KZ Recreational Vehicles and RV dealer Diederich RV recently donated a Sportsmen travel trailer to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of northeast New York. The recipient of the RV was 6-year-old Amelia and her family from Catskill, New York.
Diederich RV facilitated the donation and partnered with KZ RV to provide a 2022 Sportsmen 260BHSE to the family so they can enjoy RV adventures. In addition, Diederich RV coordinated free nights at campgrounds around the region and camping essentials for the family. The 2022 Sportsmen 260BHSE sleeps nine and boasts the 50th anniversary package, with a modern-farmhouse kitchen, an exterior shower, and a climate package to keep the RV interior comfortable in various weather conditions.
KZ Recreational Vehicles is a subsidiary of Thor Industries and is headquartered in Shipshewana, Indiana. For more information, visit www.kz-rv.com.