RV America’s 3rd Store Taps N. Colo. Market

RV America Inc., a recreational vehicle dealership with two locations in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, Colo., has converted a former indoor flea market into a third store in Loveland housing a 70,000-square-foot showroom. The Loveland facility is located 70 miles north of Wheat Ridge. “I’ve been looking for a location for a long time to bring in customers from the northern market – Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota and Montana,”said RV America President Hari Sach, who opened his first... Read more

National RV Sees ‘Softening’ in Market Demand

Perris, Calif.-based National RV Holdings Inc., parent of National RV Inc. and Country Coach Inc., Thursday (July 28) announced that the company expects to report a loss for its second quarter, ended June 30, due to a “softening of market demand.” National RV in its release blames an industry-wide Class A trend resulting in inventory build-up at both the dealer and manufacturer levels, both of which led to significant discounting. “The industry and our company faced very difficult conditions... Read more

Monaco Touts Franchise Plan at Dealer Confab

Promising sweeping changes in its relationship with dealers, Monaco Coach Corp. laid out a franchise program for Monaco, Holiday Rambler, Beaver and Safari motorized RVs during its annual Dealer Congress, which took place June 27- 29 at the Venetian Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. Monaco’s bold new franchise program, which is being closely observed by competitors, rewards dealers for focusing showroom and sales lot attention on Monaco products. “I really, truly believe that five years... Read more

Paul Abel Was Industry Pioneer, Show Veteran

Services will be Saturday (July 30) for Paul Abel, 88, Wakarusa, Ind., president and founder of Franklin Coach. Inc., a travel trailer, fifth-wheel and park model manufacturer in Nappanee, Ind. Abel, who died July 28 after a short illness, was among the founding members of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and was RVIA show chairman for more than 30 years. He also organized retail shows for the Indiana Manufactured Housing Association/Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council for more than... Read more

New Tiffin Coach Meets Rising Diesel Demand

Alabama coach builder Tiffin Motor Homes Inc. has introduced the first U.S. motorhome on Freightliner Custom Chassis LLC’s new front-engine diesel platform – a newly released chassis positioned to capitalize on the burgeoning U.S. demand for diesel power at all levels. The new diesel-powered Freightliner chassis is available in three 34- to 38-foot floorplans in Tiffin’s Allegro Bay lineup, a prototype of which was shown by the Red Bay, Ala., company to more than 50 dealers July 20-22... Read more

Winnebago Rolls Out ’06’s at Mirage in Vegas

Winnebago Industries, Inc. showcased its new 2006 Winnebago and Itasca brand motorhomes during the Forest City, Iowa-based manufacturer’s Dealer Days event held July 24-27 at The Mirage in Las Vegas, Nevada. Unveiled to the 708 dealer personnel in attendance were 94 ’06 models, 54% percent of which, according to the company, are “brand new or redesigned.” In an effort to enhance its presence in the diesel market, Winnebago introduced a mid-level product to its 2006 diesel... Read more

New Workhorse for Horsepower-Hungry RVer

Workhorse Custom Chassis LLC has announced the release of a Super Sport Chassis (SSC) option for its W20, W22 and W24 gas-powered motorhome chassis intended to appeal to RVers who want maximum power and performance. The new model is aimed at the RV industry’s version of the muscle car crowd. “This is targeted at a very narrow band of customers,” said Bob Wert, Workhorse vice president of RV sales and product planning. “This is the guy who owned the Chevelle Super Sport back in the day and... Read more

Spartan 2Q: More ‘Solid’ RV Chassis Sales

Spartan Motors, Inc. today (July 28) announced its highest ever second quarter sales and a 12.8% improvement in net earnings for its second quarter, ended June 30, compared to the same period last year. The Charlotte, Mich.-based manufacturer of custom motorhome chassis, fire truck chassis and emergency-rescue vehicles reported net earnings of $2.6 million on net sales of $89.3 million for Q2 vs. net earnings of $2.3 million on net sales of $78.2 million for the same quarter of 2004. The company’s... Read more

NY State Camping Limit Sparks Controversy

Owners of private campgrounds in the Adirondacks are up in arms over a state proposal to limit how long campers can stay, according to New York State news reports. The Adirondack Park Agency’s (APA) plan would limit the length of stay at the same campsite to 90 days and would ban people from parking a camper in a campground for more than 120 days. Private park operators in the Adirondacks say if the plan goes through, their industry – as well as the region’s tourist economy – will... Read more

Featherlite Reports 2Q Sales, Earnings Decline

Cresco, Iowa-based Featherlite Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of specialty aluminum trailers, transporters and luxury motorcoaches, this week (July 26) reported net income of $1.1 million for its second quarter, ended June 30. This, according to the company’s release, compares with net income of $1.5 million for the same period in 2004. The decrease in net income was primarily the result of lower gross profit in both the trailer and motorcoach segments, which was partially offset by... Read more

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