Noovo Pop Accommodates Off-Grid Living
Noovo, a Las Vegas-based RV manufacturer, announced the launch of its Noovo Pop Class B motor-home, “designed for families, nomads, and anyone seeking more space and freedom.”
The Noovo Pop is built on a Ram ProMaster van high-roof chassis powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 gas engine. The coach can sleep four with a permanent RV queen-size bed and a pop-up tent addition. Its fully equipped kitchen includes a single-burner induction cooktop, a 12-volt refrigerator, a microwave oven, and a 15-inch-by-15-inch stainless-steel sink. A private bathroom features a full-size high-pressure shower and a built-in Thetford cassette toilet. The coach comes with a roof air conditioner, an on-demand gasoline-powered hydronic furnace and water heating system, and 40-gallon gray- and fresh-water tanks.
The interior incorporates sustainable bamboo or oak Formica laminate and is offered in three designs: bright Jungle, traditional Baja, or calming Forest.
The Noovo Pop is equipped with a 660Ah lithium battery system (expandable to 1320 Ah), a 200-watt solar system, and an off-grid roof air conditioner. Options include Starlink satellite Wi-Fi, off-road tires, an electric awning, and a swing-away bike rack.
The MSRP starts at $165,500. For more information, visit noovolife.com.
Original Clipper On Display At Airstream Museum
Among the RVs on display at the Airstream Heritage Center museum is a gold anodized-aluminum trailer that led the way on a 1959-1960 caravan across Africa and served as a mobile testing ground for Wally Byam’s new ideas.
“Clipper #1” is part of a new exhibit at the Airstream Heritage Center, a 16,000-square-foot museum inside the company’s headquarters building in Jackson Center, Ohio. Designed and built by Airstream founder Wally Byam in 1936, this Airstream Clipper is believed to be the first rounded, riveted aluminum travel trailer manufactured by the company. The trailer is parked alongside more than a dozen other vintage Airstreams, including the final Clipper model the company manufactured in 1941. Byam paused manufacturing when the United States entered World War II.
The vintage display is made possible by David and Mary Gulley of The Gulley Collection, which owns both of these Clipper models and provided them on loan to the museum. They are accompanied by Airstream’s own 1938 Clipper, nicknamed “Old Grand Dad.” These units represent three of only 12 Clipper models believed to still be in existence.
Bob Wheeler, Airstream president and CEO, called Clipper #1 “the inspiration for the iconic ‘silver bullet’ design that’s become synonymous with freedom and making travel dreams come true.”
Museum admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 for military, and free for children 12 and under. All proceeds benefit the Airstream Foundation, which is dedicated to preserving vintage models and historic memorabilia. To learn more, visit airstream.com/heritage-center.
RVIA Celebrates Golden Anniversary
RV Industry Association observed its 50th anniversary on June 5, 2024. The national trade association represents RV manufacturers and their component parts suppliers, which together build more than 98 percent of RVs produced in the United States.
In October 1974, the Recreational Vehicle Institute in Des Plaines, Illinois, merged with the Travel Coach Association of Riverside, California, to become the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association. The organization moved to the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.
From the outset, entrepreneurs believed the RV industry should be united against political, cultural, and economic challenges if the market was going to thrive. That unity has remained at the heart of the association’s efforts to promote and protect the RV industry and its members.
In 1979, RVIA was named the sponsor and secretariat of the ANSI A119 standards for recreation vehicles and RV parks and campgrounds. The organization also has advocated for the industry with presidential administrations and agencies, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. RVIA has achieved success at the state level also. Myriad state laws and regulations for RV standards and dimensions plagued the industry, requiring manufacturers to build different RVs to meet specific requirements. Through RVIA’s work and that of its members, these requirements were gradually standardized.
In the 1990s, RVIA partnered with the RV Dealers Association to tackle RV technician training and certification. This has evolved into the RV Technical Institute’s training program.
Fueled by early public relations efforts that later gave way to the Go RVing national advertising campaign, RVIA also has helped RVs to become part of the cultural fabric of North America, celebrated in pop culture, and central to the travel and outdoor recreation industries.
Podcasting Milestone
Since 2012, Mike and Jennifer Wendland have explored myriad aspects of RV life, sharing what they’ve learned through social media, e-books, articles, and more. Here, they tour an RV factory.
Mike and Jennifer Wendland, F518361, “RV Lifestyle” bloggers and podcasters, celebrated their 500th RV consumer podcast in June.
The Wendlands began their RV journey in 2012, traveling in a Class B motorhome. Before he retired, Mike was a reporter for NBC TV and worked for the Detroit News and later the Detroit Free Press. From 2012 to 2017, he wrote a monthly column titled “Open Mike” for FMCA’s magazine, along with other articles over the years.
Mike and Jennifer share RV travels, tips, mods, hacks, and equipment reviews on their RV Lifestyle YouTube channel, Facebook group, and other social media. The couple recently released their 22nd e-book, The Ultimate Guide To Exploring the Bourbon Trail, based on a trip through Kentucky. Today they travel in a Keystone Montana High Country fifth-wheel.
Update Regarding California Emissions Regulations For Diesel Motorhomes
Information about state-regulated emissions compliance to assist owners of diesel motorhomes registered in California.
By FMCA Governmental And Legislative Affairs Committee
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) — part of California Environmental Protection Agency — has implemented the Clean Truck Check. This directly regulates nearly all diesel and alternative-fuel vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 14,000 pounds that operate on California roads. The regulation includes motorhomes registered in the state but exempts those registered outside the state.
In response to RVers’ concerns, FMCA’s Governmental and Legislative Affairs Committee contacted CARB for more information on the impact of the regulations. Owners of diesel motorhomes registered in California must register with CARB and pay a $30 annual fee prior to operating their coach in the state. Motorhomes may be registered at https://cleantruckcheck.arb.ca.gov. The compliance fee requirement started in 2023, and the deadline to pay the fee for 2023 was January 31, 2024. Owners need to take steps to register the vehicle to avoid a DMV registration block on the vehicle and to avoid penalties.
Beginning October 1, 2024, emissions compliance testing requirements take effect. Owners of California-registered motorhomes are required to submit to emissions compliance testing once annually. Deadlines ultimately will align with the vehicle’s DMV registration date, but this may vary from the 2024 compliance deadline. In 2024, all vehicles will have a compliance deadline between July 1 and December 31, 2024. Testing cannot be completed more than 90 days prior to your compliance date.
Our research has indicated that at press time, some California Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) employees were unaware of the program and thus may not be able to provide motorhome owners information. The DMV does, however, receive hold orders from CARB for those trying to renew a registration on a non-compliant vehicle in California. Penalties can be up to $10,000 per vehicle per day.
CARB publications are a bit difficult to decipher. FMCA’s Governmental and Legislative Affairs Committee members have been researching this program for many weeks and finally received the above interpretation of applicability directly from CARB.
For more information, visit ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/CTC or contact CARB directly at hdim@arb.ca.gov.