Harvest Hosts Acquires Boondockers Welcome
Two of the largest organizations that connect RVers and private landowners who offer overnight camping joined forces in June. Harvest Hosts, a membership program that provides access to unique camping options, such as farms, breweries, wineries, and museums, acquired Boondockers Welcome, a community of RVers willing to host other RVers on their property at no charge.
Boondockers Welcome, which was founded nine years ago, currently lists 2,900 host locations, while Harvest Hosts offers a network of 2,420 locations.
For now, the two organizations will continue to operate independently and maintain separate membership plans, but in the coming months, the vision is to merge the two and create bundled options that give members access to the 5,000-plus locations through one simple platform, said Joel Holland, CEO of Harvest Hosts. This also will allow the company to invest in product features and functions that enhance the experience for guests and hosts of both programs, he said.
Zamp Solar broadens Dometic’s footprint in the fast-growing mobile solar power market.
Dometic Purchases Solar Product Manufacturer
As more and more people are spending time off the grid or looking for environmentally friendly ways to meet their electronic needs, the push for mobile solar power solutions is increasing, and RV product manufacturer Dometic has entered the game. In May 2021, the company acquired Zamp Solar, an Oregon-based manufacturer whose products include solar panels, charge controllers, power boxes, and various solar kits.
For information about Dometic products, visit www.dometic.com.
Investment Group Adds Third Atlanta-Area RV Park
Forrest Street Partners, a boutique real estate investment firm that focuses on RV parks in the Southeast, purchased Riverside Estates, a 307-site manufactured home and RV resort in Covington, Georgia, earlier this year. It is the third RV park the company has acquired in the Atlanta area. The park has 170 RV sites.
According to a press release, the company plans to make improvements to the park and will rename and rebrand it as well.
Forrest Street Partners also owns Jellystone Park in Bremen, Georgia, and Commerce Athens KOA in Commerce, Georgia.
Veurink’s RV Center Acquires Preferred RV
From left, Matt, Pat, and Tim Veurink; Tammy Kuipers; Mollee Veurink.
Veurink’s RV Center, a family-owned dealership that has been operating in Grand Rapids, Michigan, since 1954, purchased Preferred RV Inc. earlier this year. Located in Newaygo, Michigan, roughly 45 miles north of Grand Rapids, Preferred RV has been offering sales, service, parts, storage, and propane for more than 20 years. Veurink renamed the dealership Veurink’s RV Center and plans to grow it into a medium-sized dealership by offering a larger selection of inventory, expanding service operations, and possibly adding additional winter storage. Veurink’s RV Center has received the RVBusiness Top 50 Dealer Award multiple times.
Thor Motor Coach Adds, Upgrades Type B Motorhomes
With more new owners entering the RV market, Thor Motor Coach is addressing the need by adding two small Type B motorhomes to its lineup, while updating two others. In June 2021, it introduced Rize and Scope, both 18-foot motorhomes built on a Ram Promaster 1500XT chassis. Similar in size to an SUV, these are the smallest camper vans Thor produces and are intended for those new to the motorhome market.
Each model has two floor plans, the 18M and 18T. The 18T is designed to appeal to day-trippers and weekend warriors, with plenty of storage, a pull-out bed, a kitchen, and an optional pop-top sleeping area. The 18M is for lengthier trips, with a fully enclosed wet bath, bench-style seating that converts into a sleeping area, and a kitchen. Both have a standard 190-watt solar panel with a power controller.
Thor Motor Coach also updated its 21-foot Type B Sequence and Tellaro models, which are built on the larger Ram Promaster 3500XT chassis. Upgrades include a Thule roof rack system, a rack for two adult-sized bikes, and a powered awning with integrated LED lighting. An optional pop-up Sky Bunk sleeping system can be added, along with a 200-watt solar panel.
For more information, visit www.thormotorcoach.com/motorhomes.
These youngsters received reading instruction through the nonprofit agency Investing In Kids!
Florida RV Trade Association Chapter Promotes Youth Literacy
One of the keys to any child succeeding in school and in life is the ability to read well. The Northeast Florida Chapter of the Florida RV Trade Association recently donated $6,000 to INK! (Investing In Kids!), which enabled the nonprofit agency to receive a matching grant from the Gannett Foundation to provide reading literacy skills to 200 children ages 4 and 5.
In the last five years, the chapter —composed of area RV dealers, accessory companies, and campground representatives — has made more than $60,000 in community donations.