Advanced RV Rolls Out High-Line Type B Motorhomes
Advanced RV, a startup manufacturer that builds Type B motorhomes on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 chassis, is targeting a tight niche in the market: those looking for “the ultimate Type B motorhome experience,” according to the company’s CEO.
Mike Neundorfer, CEO of Advanced RV of Willoughby, Ohio, estimates that the company will sell no more than 50 units a year, targeting about 5 percent of the Sprinter motorhome market.
“Our typical buyer is looking for elegance, luxurious interior systems, and a motorhome so well-engineered that they never worry about a thing,” said Mr. Neundorfer, who began Advanced RV last fall and is now beginning to take orders. The company does not have a dealer network but will sell direct to consumers.
The Ocean One model, which made its debut in January 2013 at the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa, will be the standard-bearer for the Advanced RV line. It comes with heated floors, heated leather captains seats, solid-wood cabinets that sweep around the upper interior in a panoramic design, an extra-large 7.5-cubic-foot refrigerator, a high-end entertainment system, and even a dedicated wine cabinet.
Mr. Neundorfer, who has an engineering background and is the owner of a successful firm that helps power plants around the world reduce air pollution, said they have tried to improve on the best of the best features they saw in similar vehicles.
Assisting the company and offering insight into the RV business as a consultant is Mike Ellis, a former general manager of Great West Vans.
Pricing of the Advanced RV models will begin at $125,000 and run to $155,000, depending on options. The most expensive extra being offered is a bank of super-powerful lithium house batteries that can operate all major systems for long periods away from campgrounds or commercial power. Other options include a monitoring system for all six tires (the Sprinter 3500 has dual rear wheels); a high-tech safety camera that alerts the driver to side hazards; a 76-inch rear bed; and a retractable screen door over the sliding side door.
“We believe our market in particular likes to dry camp,” Mr. Neundorfer said, “so we have engineered those desires into our motorhomes.”
The units come with a 30-gallon fresh water tank, a 24-gallon gray water tank, and a 16-gallon black water tank. “Those are all larger than you will find on most Type Bs,” he said. “But they reflect the needs of the slice of the market we are going after.”
Details and sales information can be obtained through the company’s Web site, www.advanced-rv.com. Company officials invite folks to tour the facility and meet the Advanced RV team. It is located at 4590 Hamann Parkway, Willoughby, OH 44094; phone: (440) 283-0405.
— Mike Wendland, F426141
Liberty Coach Looks West
Liberty Coach, based in North Chicago, Illinois, announced that it has purchased a lot at the Motorcoach Country Club in Indio, California, that it will use to display its high-line coach conversion models. The RV resort is well known for its luxurious amenities.
Liberty Coach will display a model at the lot from January through April, the resort’s prime season. In 2012, the company displayed a model at the same location from St. Patrick’s Day through April. “We’d been considering this move for quite awhile,” said Frank Konigseder, vice president of Liberty Coach. “And after our success last spring we knew it was time to act.”
The motorhome will be displayed at what Liberty Coach officials describe as a “beautifully developed lot overlooking the club’s championship golf course, with the Santa Rosa Mountains in the distance.”
“This is the ideal sales opportunity for us — a place to let the coach sell itself,” Mr. Konigseder said. “We’ll have the coach on display throughout the season, and a visiting sales rep available periodically. And, of course, anyone seriously interested in buying will be able to call or e-mail us to set up a private showing at their convenience.”
For more information about Liberty Coach’s new display lot in Indio, visit www.libertycoach.com or call (800) 332-9877.
Winnebago Industries Honored For Military Support
On November 15, 2012, Winnebago Industries was honored with the presentation of a Blue Star Banner flag by the American Legion in recognition of the company’s support of its employees serving in the military. Accepting the award on behalf of Winnebago Industries were members of the company’s management team, as well as several former and current members of the military, National Guard, and Reserves who work at Winnebago Industries.
New KOA Campground Opens Near Victoria, Texas
In October 2012, Vernon (Scooter) and Gail Reaser opened Phase 1 of the new Victoria/Coleto Creek, Texas, KOA campground, which features 124 campsites, each with full hookups, including cable television and Wi-Fi. The facility also includes a 10,000-square-foot Kamp K-9 pet playground and a nature trail that meanders through acres of undeveloped land.
The Reasers, longtime recreational boating enthusiasts on Coleto Creek Lake in Texas, noticed that the very basic camping facilities offered at the Coleto Creek Reservoir just weren’t meeting the needs of RVers. So, they decided to convert the 60-acre pasture that they owned near the reservoir into a campground.
Coming soon will be Phase 2 and Phase 3, which will include a large pavilion, plus bicycle and watercraft rentals and an additional 200 campsites.
While the campground has its own catfish pond, as well as hiking trails and swimming, the KOA entrance is just 100 yards from the Coleto Creek Lake Reservoir entrance, so boaters and watersports enthusiasts can stay as busy as they like.
The campground is close to three major highways and halfway between Victoria and Goliad, so whether people are heading to the Rio Grande Valley, the Gulf Coast, or South Padre Island, it is conveniently located.
For more information about the Victoria/Coleto Creek Lake KOA, visit www.koa.com/campgrounds/victoria-coleto or call (361) 582-0222.