RVbasics.com News

Sioux Falls, S.D Lifts Campground Restrictions

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:37:00 +0000

Woodall's Campground Management
In a case of closing the barn door after most of the horses have gone, the Sioux Falls, S.D., city council has eliminated a provision in the city’s ordinances that limit people to spending 30 days a year in campgrounds. The council took the action Monday night (Nov. 16).

The issue came to light in October when city officials tried to evict about a half-dozen campers and RVs at the Westwick Motel and Campground, according to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

Owner David Fritz said some people chose to move out of town anyway.

“I’ve got four people left now,” he said.

City officials are working on a new campground ordinance that could be ready by next month. But because city officials were prepared to evict campers at Westwick on Nov. 23, the council chose to act Monday to eliminate the 30-day rule.
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Fran and I found the Garmin nüvi 205 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator was a great help to us on our recent RV trip to New York. We bought it halfway through the 8,000 mile trip after getting lost a couple of times.

5Th Wheel King Pin LockProtect your investment with this heavy guage steel lock. Easy to use push button design with plastic cover.

A tour of the West's spectacular national parks

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:15:00 +0000

A 38-foot fifth-wheel and a 30-foot motor home guaranteed us all the comforts of home away from home while having a grand change of scene daily. A comforter covered the memory foam pad in the back seat of our truck for Bob, our black lab. Mike and Michelle brought walkie-talkies, great for communicating at food stops, rest stops and fueling stops.

As our traveling homes pulled in alongside each other at a rest stop near home, the buzz to begin another great adventure was in high gear. We were on the move; the wagons were rollin’.

We caravanned up White Pass and through the Yakima Valley. Our first night would be spent in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Even after many previous trips, this route remains a beautiful drive. Early morning, going toward White Pass with the fog just hanging above the beautiful mountains is always breath-taking. Evergreens become sparser as we trail down the other side of the pass, and the land’s lush green gives way to fields of fruit trees and crops. I always feel that this is really the beginning of the trip; like being shot out of a comfortable space station to the unknown. You just never know what might lie around the next corner.
Full Story...
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Flojet Macerator Pump Draining your RV waste tanks just got easier! Eliminates the need for a 3" sewer hose. Waste pump connects directly to your RV's waste outlet. Enables you to dump at longer distances -- and you can drain your holding tanks at home! Includes a garden hose discharge port, remote on/off switch with 6' wire harness and rugged portable case for easy storage.

Parks Canada working to attract more campers

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:49:00 +0000

EDMONTON — Parks Canada wants to lure more people into national parks by making camping and visits friendlier to families, city slickers and new Canadians who may never have pitched a tent in the woods.

New statistics show an overall drop of nine per cent in attendance at national parks since the 2007-08 season. Visits are even down in such world-renowned parks as Banff and Jasper in the Rocky Mountains, Pacific Rim in British Columbia, Cape Breton Highlands in Nova Scotia and the birdwatching mecca of Point Pelee, Ont.

The question is, why?
Full Story...
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12V DC Electric Scissor Jack Lift up to 2,000 lbs. at the touch of a button. True backsaver! 12-volt Electric Car Jack works like Hercules to safely lift and lower loads via controller. No more fighting with an old-fashioned hand jack. Just touch a remote button for up / down control. Plugs in your car lighter socket; Power cord easily reaches any tire; Heavy-duty 10-amp motor; Lifts 4 3/4-13 3/8"; 2,000-lb. capacity; Strong steel construction; 5 x 17 x 9", weighs 17 lbs. Comes with 14' controlled cable and molded storage case. Order today for years of effortless service! 12V DC Electric Car Jack

Campground Owners Meet in Orlando, Fla

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:06:00 +0000

Private campgrounds and RV parks have proven themselves to be the most vibrant segment of the travel and tourism business in 2009, with most parks reporting surprisingly stable revenue and occupancies figures, despite the recession.

The nearly 600 private park operators, vendors and industry officials who attended the annual InSites Convention and Expo in Orlando, Fla., this week learned that 2009 was also year of multiple successes for the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC).
Full Story...
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"RV Electrical Systems: A Basic Guide to Troubleshooting, Repairing and Improvement" covers both AC and DC electrical systems and is another must have. Excellent 12 volt coverage and the best source on 120 volt AC systems. If it's not covered in this book, you can probably get along without it. The authors go into extraordinary detail without getting into engineering "lingo" and they tell you things nobody else does, and those things many authors assume you already know -- that you don't. RV Electrical Systems is available at Amazon.

Olympic RV parking spots sitting empty

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:27:00 +0000

With less than three months until the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, only 80 campers have signed up for the 350 $100-a-night RV camping sites at

Jericho Beach and Spanish Banks.

But the Vancouver parks board says it is confident bookings will soon balloon, due to a marketing campaign it launched last week.

"We've been getting a ton of inquiries and it's really ramping up," said parks board spokeswoman Barb Floden. "It's the million-dollar view for less than $100 a night."
Full Story...
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RV snowbirds bring economic boost to Tucson Arizona

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:56:00 +0000

As the winter season settles in, so do our winter visitors. That means local restaurants may be busier, and shopping centers more packed. With all the extra business, it's a season that many local industries depend on.

"For about four months, we fill up completely," said George O'Leary, owner of Rincon Country RV Resort. O'Leary says only 20 percent of his RV spaces are occupied by year-round residents. He depends heavily on winter visitors for the bulk of his business. And this year, he's already off to a busy start.

"I couldn't believe it," he said. "One day, ten rigs showed up without reservations, that was very nice to see that."

O'Leary says reservations for spaces this past month are up 25 percent compared to this time last year. And the spending impact of winter visitors doesn't stop there. "They're going to restaurants and buying cars and buying RV's."
Full Story...
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Pine Mountain RV Resort Upgrades Facilities, Website

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:13:00 +0000

Concierge service, Massages, Free high-speed Wi-Fi, Wii game room - this list of amenities reads like the perks offered at a high-dollar luxury hotel; but actually it is just a sampling of the services now available at the newly renovated Pine Mountain RV Resort in Pine Mountain, Georgia.

The new and improved resort, nestled near Georgia's most popular outdoor attractions, such as Callaway Gardens, offers activities and services not found at typical campgrounds and RV parks. Designed to accommodate RVs of all shapes and sizes, the resort provides paved pull-through, full hookup sites with 60-foot concrete pads. But the resort is not just for RV enthusiasts. Guests who stay in the resort's cottages and yurts can also take advantage of on-site amenities such as a fitness center, Saline Swimming pool and Hot Tub with Water Spray Park, Bike Rentals and Coffee and Wine Bar.

The improvements don't stop at the Resort. The just-launched Pine Mountain Website combines great design with incredible functionality, much like the resort itself. In addition to being able to find basic information about the resort, such as rates and local attractions, the website offers a number of interactive features that let users personalize their visit to both the site and the resort. These features include the following.

Mountain Musings Blog: Provides guests - both current and future - a forum to share their experiences at the resort and ask questions from fellow RV-ers.

Virtual Visit Photo Gallery: Allows site visitors to explore all that Pine Mountain RV Resort has to offer without ever leaving home.

Build an Itinerary Feature: Lets guests design their perfect vacation ahead of time by allowing them to choose the area attractions that most interest them.

Online Reservations Requests: Gives guests a map of the site and lets them request a specific site.

Contact Concierge Service: Offers guests a chance to request assistance from Pine Mountain RV Resort staff to help make their stay one to remember.

Pine Mountain View eNewsletter: Keeps guests up-to-date on Pine Mountain RV Resort news.

The Pine Mountain RV Resort represents a new kind of RV experience, and the new website provides a first step in tailoring the RV experience.
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Everything's better in an Airstream travel trailer.

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:57:00 +0000

Just off the interstate in Hillsboro, Texas - about an hour south of Fort Worth on I-35 - there's a whole neighborhood full of Airstream trailers. They're lined up on tidy lots: big ones, little ones, vintage trailers and tricked-out newer models. And the people who own them have formed a community there. They may be on the road several months of each year, but the North Texas Airstream Community is their home base: It gives them a mailing address, a small house to stay in, a group of neighbors that they know they will see again. Their homes may have wheels, but they have a piece of solid ground to return to when they wish.

The community was started in 1991. A group of Airstream owners found a 50-acre spot in Hill County, put a fence around it and divided it into lots. They combined their skills - a retired plumber, a retired electrician, a man who knew how to use a backhoe - and dug trenches for water and sewer lines. And soon they started attracting people from all over the country who wanted to stay for a night, for a week or for years.
Full Story...
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Another California RV dealer closing

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:18:00 +0000

Hansel RV Center in Petaluma is closing after 35 years in business, the latest victim of an economic slump that has consumers shunning big-ticket toys.

The dealership, which employs 18 people, hopes to liquidate its inventory of trailers and luxury motor homes by the end of the month, said Henry Hansel, owner of the Hansel Auto Group, the county’s largest car dealer.

“It’s just been a very, very challenging market and we just sort of came to the conclusion that it’s going to be quite some time before the market returns to a level where it can be profitable,” Hansel said Wednesday.

During the boom times of the late 1990s through mid-2000s when home values surged and credit flowed freely, the dealership at the north end of Petaluma was selling 60 to 70 RVs a month, Hansel said.

But as the housing market tanked and gas prices rose, consumers dramatically pulled back on their spending.

“The high-dollar discretionary items such as RVs really took a big hit,” Hansel said.
Full Story...
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Lazydays RV to shows off newest Tiffin Motorhomes

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:08:00 +0000

SEFFNER, Fla., Nov. 10-- Strings of lights adorned with hanging lanterns connected an array of new 2010 Tiffin motorhomes - and when combined with the November starlit sky - formed a luminous canopy over 260 RV lovers. The celebration, a 3-day block party, was held by Lazydays to launch the newest Tiffin Motorhome models that recently arrived at the dealership. Guests kicked off the event mingling and sharing the love of the RV lifestyle with one another over dinner - continuing the evening with festivities such as copious spirits, an exploration of new motorhomes and marshmallow roasting for the making of s'mores.

There was a splendid decor of Americana, but perhaps no icon was more anticipated and revered than Bob Tiffin, the founder of Tiffin Motorhomes, who personally met with each and every guest. Knowing that those who love RVing can never get enough technical information, a panel of seasoned RV experts was assembled to conduct several Q&A seminars. This group of Lazydays most experienced sales consultants and master certified technicians, alongside several Tiffin experts, left no question unanswered.

To conclude the product launch, a Wild West themed party left guests with the unmistakable belief that their RV journey had been magically enhanced by a special experience they would never forget.

Lazydays® was founded in 1976 with two travel trailers and $500. Today, the company's continued focus on unparalleled customer service has not only made it the largest single-site RV dealership in North America but also a place that many RVers refer to as their home away from home.
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Cowboy Cooking for RVers
Jim Foreman is a well-known and popular member of several RV email groups and forums so you may already know that he loves to cook cowboy style.

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Campground hosts have some tales to tell

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:08:00 +0000

What's the best thing to do when you retire from the high-intensity business environment in Southern California? For Sheryl and John Cain it was hitting the road for Oregon's state parks.

A six-week trip through many of Oregon's state parks gave them inspiration. They talked to a lot of the camp hosts, who looked like they were having a lot of fun. Sheryl rolled her eyes and said John was smitten with "that little wood cart" camp hosts would drag around the campgrounds to sell firewood. She said the host would get out and be able talk to everybody at the park. Now that's one of John's favorite jobs in a park.

They typically work from May to October. This year - their third in the park - they're staying longer.
Full Story...
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Camco 9" RV Clear Sewer Hose Adapter attaches directly to the RV's sewer connection, extend the sewer hose outlet for easier, more convenient hose connection. It helps during the tank cleaning by giving a clear view of when the system is fully rinsed.

Lazy Days RVs files for bankruptcy

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:06:00 +0000

Lazy Days RV Center Inc. filed a voluntary Chapter 11bankruptcy plan.

The plan, filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, is expected to eliminate all of the company’s $137 million of bond debt, reducing its annual cash interest costs by about $16.2 million through the elimination of bond interest payments, the company said in a release.

Lazy Days filed a “pre-packaged” restructuring plan on Nov. 5 after receiving approvals from its lenders and bondholders. Because the approvals already have been received, the company said in the release that it expects to move through the process very quickly and complete the process by the end of the year.
Full Story...
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12V DC Electric Scissor Jack Lift up to 2,000 lbs. at the touch of a button. True backsaver! 12-volt Electric Car Jack works like Hercules to safely lift and lower loads via controller. No more fighting with an old-fashioned hand jack. Just touch a remote button for up / down control. Plugs in your car lighter socket; Power cord easily reaches any tire; Heavy-duty 10-amp motor; Lifts 4 3/4-13 3/8"; 2,000-lb. capacity; Strong steel construction; 5 x 17 x 9", weighs 17 lbs. Comes with 14' controlled cable and molded storage case. Order today for years of effortless service! 12V DC Electric Car Jack

Maryland State Parks may relax pet policies

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:54:00 +0000

WASHINGTON COUNTY — If proposed pet policy changes are approved for Maryland state parks, people would be able to take their dogs to more campgrounds and dogs could take a dip at Greenbrier Lake during the off-season.

The Maryland Park Service has received a lot of requests for greater pet access at state parks, including campers who want to be able to bring their pets along, Deputy Superintendent Chris Bushman said.

Some parks have campground areas that allow pets and some, like Greenbrier State Park, do not, state park officials said.

Park officials have heard some people say they wouldn’t go camping without their pets.
Full Story...
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Travel Trailer / 5th Wheel 4 DVD Bargain BOX SET
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4) Marks Recommended 10 minute RV Essential Items -DVD
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Traveling across the country with the comforts of home

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:27:00 +0000

Talk to Jackie and Kim Bloom and you'll be itching to hit the broad highway to untold adventures in a cozy roving motor home — "rig," as these caravan gypsies call them.

Deborah Fox-News-Bulletin photo: Kim Bloom proudly wears his RV vest, displaying state pins from the places he’s visited.
Willie Nelson's song "On the Road Again" comes to mind as they load up and break for that first stretch of highway into the wild blue yonder.

The Blooms started RV-ing (recreational vehicle traveling) three years ago. These wanderlust souls have long been drawn to explore land and sea. It's in their blood like DNA.

Kim said he's had an obsession to travel as early as 10 years old.

"That's why. as a young man, I usually bought station wagons, so I could load up and go," Kim Bloom said.

Motor homes like the Bloom's 32-foot Georgie Boy give a panoramic view of the highway and landscapes with large, wide windows. The living room side of the motor home can be extended out when it's parked, providing a wider space.
Full Story...
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Cutting ties with home and hearth, RVers go full time

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:54:00 +0000

NEW YORK - Jerry Orchard, 73, and his wife Nancy, 67, have always loved to RV. Since buying their first rig, in 1965, they have hit the road for family vacations. But when Jerry retired about 10 years ago, they decided to step things up a notch.

For the last 13 years the Orchards have lived aboard their 38-foot “Dutch Star” motor home, crisscrossing the nation, staying in group camps and national parks from the Pacific Northwest to Maine. They belong to a select set of RV owners known as “full-timers” — people who have opted to live exclusively in their motor homes, or travel trailers.

“At first our RV was for vacations, but when I turned 60 we had a dream of seeing the United States so we went full-time,” said Jerry Orchard. “Now our rig is our cabin in the woods, our beach cottage, our place by the lake or our hunting camp. Unless you’ve very rich, you can’t own all those things, but we have them all in our RV.”
Full Story...
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Insurance Company Looking at Campground Fire Risks

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:33:00 +0000

Evergreen has seen a rise in the number of fire departments that are charging for their services when a fire occurs – especially in rural areas with volunteer fire departments. It’s a sign of the times. Local property taxes fund a department’s capacity to respond, and additional service fees pay for the increased cost of responding.

So – what would it cost for a fire department to respond to a fire at a campground or RV Park?

Most towns and cities have local codes limiting what their fire department can charge. While some areas do not make a charge – many do. Some towns allow charges as high as $20,000 or more. The majority limit their charges to $500 or $1,000 for the fire department to respond to a fire at a commercial building.

However, in the event of a significant fire, there are often multiple departments responding. Many fire departments have agreements for other fire departments to assist them in the case of large fires or to back up their stations while they are fighting a fire. It is not unusual in the case of a large fire to have half a dozen different fire departments fighting a fire and another half a dozen that are not at the fire but on duty backing up those departments who are fighting the fire. That’s a dozen potential charges.
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The RV Handbook: Essential How-to Guide for the RV Owner
This new edition of The RV Handbook is for all types of RV enthusiasts - from a first-time buyer or renter to the most seasoned RV traveler. Packed with valuable information, checklists, photos, and charts, the guide tells you how to: buy an RV; avoid the single most common mistake novice RVers make; select a towing vehicle; avoid RV repair scams; benefit from technical trends in RV manufacturing; correct the bad towing habit that plagues even experienced RVers; and prevent explosive propane situations. With hundreds of proven RV tips, tricks, and techniques, this expanded handbook tells how to buy, maintain, and optimize RVs, saving both money and time.

Borough council may end campground residency restrictions

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:17:00 +0000

WOODBINE NJ- Borough Council this week introduced a measure repealing restrictions on year-round residency at its campgrounds.

The current rules require residents to vacate their campgrounds at least nine days per month between November and April. Council's ordinance would permit year-round residency at campgrounds such as Carol Lynn Resorts, owned by Councilman Anthony Saduk.

Saduk abstained from Thursday's vote. He and his wife, Carol, opposed the changes, arguing that declaring the campgrounds year-round residences would saddle taxpayers with the cost of providing additional services such as trash collection.
Full Story...
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Government Parks & Campgrounds to Honor Veterans and Active Military

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:54:00 +0000

On Veterans Day, all U.S. military veterans and current members of the U.S. armed forces and their families will be admitted free of charge on to public lands managed by both the Department of the Interior and the Departments of Agriculture.

Since the Buffalo National River does not charge an entrance fee, campground fees will be waived in lieu of entrance fees. The waived campground fees are specific to Buffalo National River for any fee camping areas within the park for that night only. For more information, call the Tyler Bend Visitor Center at (870) 439-2502.

On leave waivers offered

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will waive all day use and camping fees for active service personnel and Department of Defense (DoD) civilians on mid- or post-deployment leave from duty in support of the Overseas Contingency Operations.

The program began in 2006 to honor the men and women who serve the nation.

Active service personnel and DoD civilians on leave will be required to show identification and leave orders upon arrival at the campgrounds to obtain the waiver. The waiver will also apply to all family members accompanying them on their visit. The waiver will be applied to daily use fees and camping fees.

Fees will be waived on a walk-up and space-available basis, as well as for reservations through the National Recreation Reservation Service call center. Camping and day use fees, however, will not be waived for on-line reservations made through Recreation.gov.

To find the nearest Corps of Engineers recreation site, visit www.CorpsLakes.us.
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The Complete Book of Boondock RVing

Ever feel frustrated by crowded RV parks? Yearn to camp out in the wild beside a babbling mountain brook or before a remote panoramic vista? Bill and Jan Moeller have been doing just that for more than thirty years, and The Complete Book of Boondock RVing is their complete guide to camping without hookups (aka "dry camping"). Whether you’re planning to spend an occasional overnight in a parking lot or an extended stay in the wilderness, you’ll learn how to equip your rig for boondocking, find great campsites, manage and conserve electricity and water, and camp in complete RV comfort and convenience.

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Enjoy the quiet, solitude, and beauty of nature by getting away from crowded RV campgrounds.

Families Trading In Homes For RVs

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:07:00 +0000

Some families faced with unemployment and uncertain financial futures are choosing to sell their homes and live their lives on the road in motor homes.

MSNBC reports that according to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, about 400,000 Americans live life on the road. Moreover, Kimberly Goza, who runs a Web site for families who live in RVs, noted that recently their traffic has increased tenfold--a consequence, some believe, of the recession's toll on families' abilities to afford mortgages.

Dave and Joleen Dudley are an example. When Dave lost his job as vice president of a software company, they decided to sell their sprawling house in Washington state and live with their three children in a trailer.

"Just taking care of the house, with the mortgage and the insurance and the utility bill and all that, we were probably looking at around $3,000 a month," explained Dave. "Now we're looking around $300 for the same thing."
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"RV Electrical Systems: A Basic Guide to Troubleshooting, Repairing and Improvement" covers both AC and DC electrical systems and is another must have. Excellent 12 volt coverage and the best source on 120 volt AC systems. If it's not covered in this book, you can probably get along without it. The authors go into extraordinary detail without getting into engineering "lingo" and they tell you things nobody else does, and those things many authors assume you already know -- that you don't. RV Electrical Systems is available at Amazon.

Jayco to increase RV production

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:14:00 +0000

”

“As a result of improving market conditions, lower dealer inventories, and retail incentives provided to dealers, Jayco needs to significantly increase our output in order to meet rising demand for our products,” said Bontrager.

Last spring, the company was producing approximately 75 RVs a day. Today, company officials estimated it to be about 130.

“We went from wondering how we were going to keep people busy these couple of months here, especially November and December, to a sudden turnaround of ‘how are were going to get them all built?’” said Jayco line supervisor Devon Miller. “It’s definitely a bit of good news.”

And Jayco isn’t the only manufacturer to see light at the end of the tunnel. In August, Dutchman RV in Goshen announced it was ready to hire 50 more workers.

Last week, Cozy Traveler in Elkhart said it would be hiring to keep up with demand for lightweight RVs.

Sales were up 13 percent industry-wide for the second month in a row compared to the same time last year. The industry expects a 27 percent jump in shipments for 2010. And while that’s positive news after a devastating year, Bontrager said he’s not ready to strike up the whole band just yet.
Full Story...
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2009 Travelers Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States

Cowboy Cooking for RVers
Jim Foreman is a well-known and popular member of several RV email groups and forums so you may already know that he loves to cook cowboy style.

As an avid RVer, Jim found that his cowboy recipes and style of cooking adapted well to the confines of his RV kitchen and his cookbook is a combination of cowboy, tex-mex, Baja Califonia and just good food influenced by many years and miles of RV travel. Get More Info

Coachmen Industries Inc. now All American Group

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:48:00 +0000

Elkhart, Ind. - Coachmen Industries board of directors approved a name change from Coachmen Industries Inc. to All American Group.

“All American”® means the best in the game, and that is the standard by which we intend to measure ourselves,” said Rick Lavers, President and Chief Executive Officer. “All American is already the preeminent brand name in the modular housing industry, synonymous with best in class quality. It lends itself well to our growing specialty vehicle business, and also helps express the pride our employees have in our country. We believe that is particularly appropriate as we begin to emerge from these troubled economic times. It is a great brand for all of our businesses.”

With the name change comes a new logo, website and corporate identity. “Although we have a long history under the Coachmen name, most of our potential customers associate that name with our former recreational vehicle business which was sold to Forest River in December of 2008”, said Bill Martin, Director of Marketing. “The Coachmen brand does not relate to our housing customers, who often do not even realize that Coachmen and All American have had any connection. As we grow our core housing business, it is in our best interest to avoid brand confusion and focus our resources on the ‘All American’ name.”

The tightly focused mission of All American Group is to continue leading the way in environmentally friendly building practices and “Bringing Green Mainstream.”™ The butterfly in our new logo symbolizes our commitment to sustainable building practices, a commitment that is evidenced by the Smart Home on display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, the Living Zero Energy Tour home currently touring the nation under the direction of the United States Department of Energy, and the recent completion of the near net zero energy homes for the Paradigm Project for the Boulder County Housing Authority in Colorado. Every home in the All American Group collection is available with an Energy Savers Package that can save homebuyers up to 50 percent on their energy bills. In addition to these achievements, All American has built well over 1 million square feet of LEED Silver buildings for the United States Army.

In its specialty vehicle division, the ARBOC Spirit of Mobility™ bus built in Middlebury, Indiana, is the first low-floor mid-size bus to provide easy entry without the need for steps or cumbersome wheelchair lifts, and without the use of a drop box in the driveline. Mobility challenged passengers enter through the same door as other passengers by an easily deployed ramp. The Butterfly is also emblematic of the unique ARBOC free-access interior design so important both to the convenience of wheelchair passengers, and to reduced time of operation, which directly results in fuel savings. For increased fuel efficiency, a mild hybrid engine is also available. The hybrid system incorporates an automatic engine start and stop feature that provides 5 to 8 percent fuel savings per year, with a corresponding reduction of greenhouse gasses of about one and a half tons.

While the name change must be put out to a shareholder vote pursuant to applicable corporate law, the Company intends to place a proposal seeking that approval on the ballot for its 2010 Annual Meeting, scheduled for May. In the meantime, the Company will immediately begin operating under the assumed name, “All American Group”.
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Sign of winter: RV Snowbirds arrive in Arizona

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:21:00 +0000

MESA, Ariz. -- The start of November marks the start of winter visitors arriving in the Valley.

Among the early arrivals, Mary Lange, who was found this week lounging by the pool at the Desarama RV Park in Mesa.

"Feels pretty darn good. It's about 86 degrees here, very nice," Lange said.

She comes to Arizona from Iowa the last week of October each year and stays until the last week of April.

A survey by the Arizona Association of RV Parks indicates many parks are seeing more business this year. The Towerpoint and Good Life RV Resorts in Mesa said winter reservations are up 15 percent. However, the Shangri-la Resort in Yuma said things are about the same as last year, and the Rincon Resort in Tucson expects a slight decline.
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Richmond, Ky Sued for $12M After Foiled RV Park Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:11:00 +0000

A lawsuit filed by Lakeview RV Park LLC against the city of Richmond, Ky., seeks a minimum of $12 million in damages for the city’s attempt to cancel a contract leasing Camp Catalpa to the company for use as an RV park.

The suit, filed Oct. 29 in Madison Circuit Court, names the city as a defendant along with city commissioners Robert Blythe, Bill Strong and Mike Brewer, former city commissioner Kay Cosby Jones and former city manager David Evans, according to the Richmond Register.

Each of the commissioners, including Jones, is being sued both individually and in their official capacities as elected officials.
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California state park closures start this week

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:04:00 +0000

Cutbacks at state parks are the result of California's struggling finances. In Santa Cruz County, the reductions began earlier this fall as local park administrators anticipated the hits and began trying to save where they could - locking little-used restrooms and putting out fewer trash cans to reduce maintenance and patrol costs.

This week, though, the full menu of cuts took hold. Day-use parking lots were shut to weekday visitors at Palm State Beach and Manresa Uplands, and longer winter closures began at campgrounds at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and Manresa Uplands.
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Nearly all parks are now offering fewer services and less upkeep.

Local administrators say they're trying to target the cuts to where the fewest people are affected.

"Visitors may not be able to go to their favorite campground in the mountains," said Karl Tallman, a parks superintendent who oversees Big Basin Redwoods and a handful of nearby parks. "But at least they'll have a campground to go to."
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Sioux Falls Campground-stay rule likely to change soon

noreply@blogger.com (Steven Fletcher) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:58:00 +0000

A rule that bars people from spending more than 30 days in a campground in Sioux Falls probably will be changed before the city has a chance to evict about six campers from a western Sioux Falls campground.

City councilors agreed Monday to expedite the issue after zoning officials told the owner of the Westwick Motel and Campground that he had until Nov. 23 to remove campers that are renting spots in his campground. The people in those vehicles live in them full time.

Councilors Bob Litz and Greg Jamison sponsored a measure that will allow the council to deal with the issue during a Nov. 16 public hearing. Their proposal would strike the 30-day limit from the city's ordinances, which until last month had not been enforced by the city.
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