Montana House Considers Motorhome Tax

Out-of-state companies that buy motorhomes in Montana to avoid sales taxes could soon be contributing to the state’s economy – and to the upcoming Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Signature Events in the state. According to a report in Great Falls Tribune, the House on Wednesday (March 30) gave preliminary approval to a bill that would establish a new tax on the motorhome purchases by a slim 51-49 vote. The bill contains a $1 million earmark for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission, which... Read more

Motorhome Fails Amphibious Maneuver

The Pacific Ocean was the end of the road for a motorhome stuck in the surf at Roosevelt Beach in Washington State, according to a report in the Aberdeen Daily World. Two tow trucks were initially unable to free the RV, according to Trooper Brian George of the State Patrol, and eventually it had to be towed out after the tide went out. “This thing was floating all over, then it sunk in the sand pretty good,” said tow truck operator Wayne Lemmon. “We waited for the tide to go out,... Read more

Fleetwood Seeks New Housing Group Head

Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. announced today (March 31) that Roger L. Howsmon, formerly executive vice president of the Housing Group, is no longer with the company. The move comes just three weeks after the Riverside, Calif., builder announced that President and CEO Ed Caudill would be replaced by Elden Smith, a former Fleetwood executive who previously oversaw the company’s RV Group. The shift in top-level management is reflective of the company’s recent troubles. Prior to the Smith announcement,... Read more

Blue Bird Unveils Luxury Wanderlodge LXi

Stainless steel body panels integrated with a full-rail chassis are featured in the luxury-class Wanderlodge line from Blue Bird Coachworks, Ft. Valley, Ga., now a unit of the newly formed Beach County Holding Inc. The holding company is principally owned by Volvo Group and members of Henlys Group plc banking syndicate, Blue Bird’s previous owner. Available with two or three slideout rooms, the 44-foot luxury Wanderlodge 450 LXi on display at the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) 73rd International... Read more

Bank Auctions off Kerr Kountry’s Inventory

The last of the RVs at Kerr Kountry RV in Owassa, Okla., were recently auctioned off in a bank foreclosure sale. According to a report from KOTV Oklahoma, the multi-location dealership shut down last December and left several customers without titles to the RVs they had just purchased. In some cases, the RVs were mortgaged by someone else, so if buyers wanted to keep the vehicle they would have to pay off the old loan. The TV station reported that several customers have legal action pending, but... Read more

Decorator Industries Restates Net Income

Interior furnishings supplier Decorator Industries Inc. announced today (March 30) that it will be restating its net income for fiscal year 2004 following a review by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the company’s accounting for the acquisition of Fleetwood Enterprises Inc.’s drapery operation. The Pembroke Pines, Fla.-based company said it capitalized certain excess costs that were incurred while it was redistributing production from the acquired facility in Douglas, Ga.,... Read more

Wal-Mart Riles Parks in North Dakota City

Campground operators in Jamestown, N.D., want the city to outlaw free overnight camping for recreational vehicles at the Wal-Mart parking lot, city parks and elsewhere, according to an Associated Press report. Following complaints from area park owners, the Police Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council draft an ordinance to regulate RV parking. Charlie Tanata, owner of a 60-space campground, addressed the committee about the number of RVs staying in the Wal-Mart parking lot... Read more

Towables Up, Motorhomes Dip in February

February motorhome shipments declined 15.5% compared with 2004, as both the Class A and C sectors were down for the second straight month, according to the latest wholesale shipment report from the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). However, that downward trend was counterbalanced by the resilient towable category so that the overall unit shipment volume was actually up for the month. The motorized RV shipment decline coincides with recent earnings reports from some of the industry’s... Read more

Country Coach Adds Intrigue 530 for 2006

Country Coach Inc. concluded a two-year top-to-bottom redesign of its diesel pusher brands with the introduction of the 2006 Intrique 530 at the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) 73rd International Convention March 21-24 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds, Perry, Ga. Featuring three quad-slide floorplans in lengths of 40 to 45 feet, the Intrique 530 is equipped with opposing flat-floor slideouts in the living area and six-foot, ten-inch interior ceilings. “The flat floor slideouts gives... Read more

Crude Oil, GDP Reports Fuel Stock Market

Two key economic indicators for the recreational vehicle industry showed positive trends Wednesday (March 30), which sent stocks soaring. Oil prices dipped to below $53 a barrel before rallying late to settle at $53.99 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The fluctuation was triggered by a U.S. government report that showed a large increase in crude inventories coupled with indications from OPEC that the world’s petroleum supply is adequate to meet demand. Investors also reacted to a lower-than-expected... Read more

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