Thor Motor Coach Unveils New Venetian Floor Plan
A third floor plan, the T42, is now available for the Venetian, the newest diesel motorhome from Thor Motor Coach.
The T42 is the first Venetian model to offer a Freightliner XCR chassis with a tag axle. The motorhome is powered by a Cummins ISL engine rated at 400 horsepower and 1,250 pound-feet of torque. The chassis is equipped with a 150-gallon fuel tank and Michelin 295/80R series tires.
The T42 is the first diesel pusher from Thor Motor Coach to offer an optional drop-down overhead bunk in the cockpit. The Italian-made bunk lowers with the push of a button to reveal a 54-inch-by-80-inch sleeping area.
Other features of the bath-and-a-half floor plan: hardwood cabinetry; tile flooring; ComfortFit by Villa furniture; a 60-inch LED smart HDTV in the living area; a Sony home theater system; a 10-inch Axxera in-dash media center; and WhisperAir air-conditioning.
For more information, visit www.thormotorcoach.com or call (800) 860-5658.
Tiffin Motorhomes Builds Chassis Facility
They were good problems for Tiffin Motorhomes to have, but problems, nonetheless. For one, the family-owned business based in Red Bay, Alabama, had maxed out the capacity of the cabinet shop that builds the interior wall modules of its motorhomes. For another, the company’s chassis facility was operating close to capacity.
Company officials were able to solve both problems by annexing the existing chassis plant to the cabinet shop and constructing a new chassis plant on 13 acres that the company had acquired.
The first step was to combine Breeze, Phaeton, and Allegro Bus chassis manufacturing into one production line. That setup allowed the cabinet shop in spring 2015 to begin using half of the existing chassis building for cabinet and module assembly.
Ground was broken on the new chassis facility in March 2015, and the production line opened in November. At that point, the entire old chassis plant became available for use by the cabinet shop.
For information about Tiffin, visit www.tiffinmotorhomes.com or call (256) 356-8661.
Roadtrek Acquired By German Motorhome Manufacturer
Erwin Hymer Group, based in Germany, became the first European manufacturer of RVs to enter the North American market when it acquired Roadtrek Motorhomes Inc. in February 2016. The newly formed company’s name is Erwin Hymer Group North America Inc.
The existing Roadtrek management team remains in place. Jim Hammill, formerly the president and CEO of Roadtrek Motorhomes, retains those titles in the new company.
Erwin Hymer Group (EHG) is Europe’s largest manufacturer of motorhomes and caravans. Roadtrek is headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario, where it manufactures Type B motorhomes at two production facilities that collectively employ 300.
Erwin Hymer Group North America plans to introduce EHG brands into the North American market, the first being the HymerCar, a Type B motorhome. The vehicle, which is being manufactured at the Kitchener production facility, has made appearances at various trade shows in the United States. Its market launch is scheduled for early summer 2016.
For more information, visit www.erwinhymergroup.com.
Oregon Fund Improves Communities
Visitors to Oregon have contributed more than $90,000 since 2012 to enhance communities in the state through the Travel Oregon Forever Fund. The philanthropy program, created by Travel Oregon and Sustainable Travel International, is designed to improve experiences for visitors and locals by connecting them to participating businesses. Funds donated by travelers and participating companies go to community projects that improve the environment, support local culture, and enrich destinations.
For more information, visit http://goo.gl/ZMrblf.
Lazydays Opens RV Accessories Store
Lazydays has opened a new 20,000-square-foot RV Accessories & More store at its dealership in Seffner, Florida, just outside Tampa. Its “store within a store” concept makes items available from vendor partners that include Amalie Oil, Blue Ox, Cequent, Dometic, JR Products, Lippert Components, Thetford, and Winegard. Customers also can take advantage of the Travel Center, which offers information about RV destinations and resorts.
The store, at 6130 Lazy Days Blvd. in Seffner, is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 5:00 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit www.lazydays.com.
KOA Announces Leadership Changes
Pat Hittmeier, president of Kampgrounds of America Inc. since 2010, was promoted to president and chief executive officer, effective January 1, 2016. The 34-year veteran of KOA also will serve on the board of directors of KOAH Inc., KOA’s parent company.
The appointment came as Jim Rogers stepped down as KOA’s chairman and CEO after 15 years in the post. Mr. Rogers will continue as a member of the KOAH board. He also will consult on special projects for KOA.
In other KOA news, Toby O’Rourke, KOA’s senior vice president of marketing, has been promoted to chief franchise operations officer.
Publications Focus On RV Travel To Alaska
Ronald E. Jones, the author of RVing To Alaska, has written two new e-books for RVers who wish to travel to the largest U.S. state.
RVing To Alaska On Your Own is a “how-to” primer for people who will drive to and from Alaska. The 165-page e-book updates the second edition of RVing To Alaska, which was released in print three years ago.
RVing To Alaska By Ferry is a companion 77-page e-book that focuses on how to put an RV on a ferry for at least a portion of the trip.
RVing To Alaska On Your Own and RVing To Alaska By Ferry are available only as e-books. Each is priced at $4.95. They can be purchased at www.aboutrving.com/store.
RVIA Forecasts Slight Rise In Shipments
The RV industry will ship 381,100 units in 2016, a 1.8 percent increase from the 2015 total of 374,246, according to a forecast from Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). The forecast was prepared by RV industry analyst Richard Curtin.
“We have erased the dip caused by the Great Recession, with RV shipments nearing record levels,” Frank Hugelmeyer, RVIA’s new president, said at RVIA’s Outlook 2016 program. Indeed, the forecasted 2016 total is more than double the industry’s 2009 recession low. Contributing factors include innovative RV designs, a consumer preference for the RV lifestyle, and the improving economy.