SuperSteer Announces Partnership With Reality TV Show
SuperSteer, a provider of specialized steering and suspension solutions for RVs, announced its collaboration with reality TV show “RV Unplugged” for the spring 2024 season.
According to a press release, this partnership marks SuperSteer’s commitment to the RV community and offers the company a platform on which to showcase the importance of reliable and high-quality RV components in adventurous and challenging environments. SuperSteer will provide steering and suspension components that will be showcased in one of the season’s episodes.
“RV Unplugged” is a reality show that brings together RV enthusiasts in a series of off-grid challenges that test their skills, endurance, and adaptability. The show also highlights the joys and challenges of the RV lifestyle.
“Partnering with ‘RV Unplugged’ aligns perfectly with our mission to provide safer and happier driving,” said Tommy Henderson of SuperSteer. “We are thrilled to contribute to a show that celebrates the spirit of RVing and brings to light the importance of dependable RV components in ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey.”
For more information about SuperSteer and its range of products, visit supersteerparts.com. To find the schedule for the spring 2024 season of “RV Unplugged,” and to learn more, visit rvunpluggedtv.com.
Thor Introduces Charging Station Concept For Electric RVs
Thor Industries has introduced a concept charging station for electric motorhomes and for EV cars or trucks towing an RV.
Thor Industries officials unveiled state-of-the-art 3D renderings of an EV charging station concept designed to serve the comprehensive needs of electric recreational vehicles (eRVs) — from small travel trailers towed by electric vehicles to the largest Type A motorhomes.
“Electrified transportation will play a central role in the future of RVing as eRVs become available for purchase and more people opt to pull a traditional or electrified travel trailer with an electric tow vehicle,” said Thor Industries president and CEO Bob Martin. “A charging station ecosystem that can accommodate eRVs and the use of EVs as tow vehicles is essential to this transformation, which is why Thor is actively exploring options to support the effort.”
Thor’s concept charging station is a pristine, people-focused facility that encourages travelers to spend most of their charging time outside their vehicles. Different from traditional gas stations, the EV charging station concept incorporates natural landscaping, berms, trees, and green spaces, since EV charging stations don’t store or handle fuel.
Other key features of the concept include broad road access points for easy ingress and egress; wide aisles between the pull-through charger islands; ample room in which to maneuver a large motorized eRV or an EV car/truck towing an RV; visitor amenities such as restrooms, play areas, and picnic areas; and sustainability features, including recycling containers, a rain harvesting system, and solar panels on the charger shelter roofs.
More information about Thor’s eRV charging station concept is available at thorindustries.com.
Summer Event To Commemorate Flxible Bus Centennial
Flxible Owners International will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Flxible bus — popular for motorhome conversions — this August in Loudonville, Ohio, where the buses were made. FMCA members Brian and Crystal Santin own this 1954 Flxible Visicoach, affectionately referred to as “Doloris,” and tow a 1962 VW Deluxe Ragtop Beetle named “Betty.” Follow them on Instagram @BettyandDoloris.
Flxible Owners International (FOI) has released information about the 2024 Flxible & Converted Bus Centennial Summit, which includes the group’s biannual Bus Parade. The Flxible company, founded in Loudonville, Ohio, built its first bus in 1924, and this year’s summit will celebrate the 100th birthday. The event will be held August 21 to 25, 2024, at Mohican Adventures campground in Loudonville.
The schedule includes family-friendly activities such as an original “Bus Olympics,” mini-golf and go-cart competitions, and a canoe trip. Organizers also have arranged for an enhanced parade of buses through historic downtown Loudonville, which will include Flxible models as well as other makes/manufacturers. Attendees will park their buses on Main Street downtown for a few hours on Saturday, August 24. This will allow the public to peek inside the buses, vote for People’s Choice Best Bus, and participate in a 50/50 raffle. Food trucks and local shops are supporting the event, and a DJ and announcer will entertain the crowd and provide individual histories of each bus in the parade.
Other events include nightly campfires, a crafting session, an ice cream social, and barbecue and Amish-prepared dinners. Thursday evening will feature live entertainment, while Friday night will include a bus-themed movie and popcorn outdoors on the big screen. Experts will be on hand Saturday afternoon to provide advice and relate their experiences of working on all types of buses. The celebration will be highlighted by a birthday-party-themed dinner on Saturday evening for all bus owners in attendance.
FOI maintains a Flxible bus Facebook page and website and publishes a Flxible newsletter through-out the year. For more information about the 2024 Flxible Bus Summit, visit the Flxible Owners International Facebook page or contact Brian Santin at briansantin@gmail.com.
Outdoor Recreation Contributes More Than $1 Trillion To U.S. Economy
In November 2023 the United States Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis released data showing outdoor recreation’s powerful and positive economic impact on the U.S. economy. These new figures reveal that outdoor recreation generates $1.1 trillion in economic output (2.2 percent of the gross domestic product), sustains 5 million jobs, and involves 3.2 percent of U.S. employees. Across all metrics, the outdoor recreation economy’s growth has outpaced that of the U.S. economy.
The numbers indicate that RVing was the largest of the nation’s conventional outdoor activities, at $35.5 billion in current-dollar value added, and was the largest conventional activity in 22 states. The states with the largest contributions were Indiana ($5.9 billion), Texas ($3.6 billion), and California ($3.4 billion). Revised numbers in the report also show that RVing was the largest of the conventional activities in 2021 as well.
“RVs provide a base camp for every form of recreation included in these new economic numbers, from boating and fishing to hiking, biking, climbing, and camping,” said Craig Kirby, RV Industry Association president and CEO. “What these new numbers show is that outdoor recreation is not just good for people’s physical and mental health, it is also a significant economic driver across the entire country.”
Forest River Launches New Motorhome Division
Custom luxury Type B motorhomes from OGV Luxury Coach, a new division of Forest River Inc., made their public debut at the Florida RV SuperShow in January. Managed by RV industry pioneer Tim Gray, OGV produces custom-built Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Type B vans and custom Prevost bus conversions.
Offerings include the V-RV Series, with four floor plans built on the 170-inch-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. Each features a kitchenette, a wet bath, and a rear lounge bed or rear twin beds. All OGV vehicles incorporate the standard “Anywhere Lithium” package, which includes Battle Born lithium batteries from Dragonfly Energy, along with a 3,000-watt inverter, 340 watts of solar power, and a dedicated alternator.
To learn more about OGV Luxury Coach, visit ogvluxurycoach.com.