Manteca Trailer Opening RV Storage Business

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my Daily RV Industry News Feed. Thanks for visiting, Sherman GoldenbergCalifornia dealer Manteca Trailer & Motorhome has ventured into the RV storage business, selling “condominiums” large enough to park a recreational vehicle, boat or store any other large item. The Manteca Bulletin reported that units at Own Your Own storage condominiums start at $57,995 for a 560-square-foot space and run up to $125,990 for the 1,120-square-foot unit that... Read more

Good Sam Club Names Welcome Mat Winners

Each year, the Good Sam Club hands out Welcome Mat Awards, honoring businesses in the U.S. and Canada that demonstrate a high level of service for RVers. In all, there are 24 categories voted on by the one million Good Sam Club members, representing a broad spectrum of RV-service related areas – from fast food restaurants to campgrounds to NASCAR events. “RVing attracts families, Baby Boomers, retirees, tailgaters, outdoor enthusiasts and travelers of all kinds,” said Sue Bray, executive director... Read more

KOA Partners with Reno Casino to Run RV Park

Billings, Mont.-based Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) has entered into an agreement with Boomtown Casino and Hotel Reno to operate its RV park. According to a press release, the Nevada park – now called the Reno KOA at Boomtown – has 203 full-service RV sites and is located next to the Boomtown Reno, overlooking the Truckee River just west of the city’s downtown area. For several years, KOA has operated the Reno KOA adjacent to the former Reno Hilton, but that location has been designated... Read more

Report: Consumer Spending Rises in February

Consumers spent more in February while construction spending rose by the largest amount in 11 months, the government said Friday (March 30), in reports that should dispel some of the concerns about the health of the economy. The Associated Press reported that the Commerce Department said consumer spending, bolstered by strong income gains, was up 0.6% last month, the best showing since December. Personal income also rose by 0.6%. Both figures were double what analysts had expected. In a separate... Read more

OEMs Report FMCA Confab Met Expectations

The Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, spiffed up with a $12 million rehab project that included new extra-wide asphalt roads and improved drainage, drew 3,822 family coaches to the Family Motor Coach Association’s (FMCA) 77th International Convention March 19-22. Fortunately, unlike a spate of recent past international conventions dating back to the ’90s, the new drainage system designed to expel rainwater wasn’t needed as sunshine and moderate spring temperatures... Read more

Joint Venture to Benefit Monaco, International

As part of a new joint venture, Monaco Coach Corp. and International Truck Corp.’s Workhorse Custom Chassis LLC subsidiary will share engineering and manufacturing facilities to build diesel chassis in Elkhart, Ind. But executives for both companies indicate that the two will keep separate sales, marketing, financing and customer service operations for Monaco’s proprietary Roadmaster and Workhorse’s R-series diesel pusher chassis. “The joint venture is principally a manufacturing... Read more

Calif. City Extends ‘Olive Branch’ to RV Owners

City leaders in Antioch, Calif., agreed to review and make changes to a controversial ordinance that prohibits homeowners from parking their boats and RVs in their driveways and side yards, according to a report in the Contra Costa Times. Extending an olive branch to members of the boating and RV community, the city council voted late Tuesday (March 27) to create a subcommittee made up of two councilmen and members of the public to review the ordinance and draft a version that’s balanced and... Read more

AGI Selects Allison & Partners as PR Agency

Ventura, Calif.-based Affinity Group Inc. (AGI) has selected Allison & Partners, a national independent communications firm, as its official public relations agency of record. According to a press release, AGI and its affiliated companies serve the safety, security, comfort and convenience needs of the North American outdoor and recreational vehicle market. San Francisco-based Allison & Partners will be assisting AGI in the launch process of a new integrated marketing and branding campaign... Read more

Feb. Towable Shipments Down, A’s Improve

An 11.9% decline in February towable shipments offset improvement in the motorhome sector, resulting in a 9.2% drop in overall RV wholesale deliveries for the month. According to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), February shipments decreased to 29,700 units compared with 32,700 in 2006. For the first two months, shipments fell 16.3% to 56,500 units from 67,500 the previous year. The travel trailer market continued to show weakness, aggravated by unfavorable year-over-year comparisons... Read more

Monaco Adds Floorplans to High-end Dynasty

Monaco Coach Corp., Coburg, Ore., has added four new floorplans – including front-kitchen and bath-and-a-half layouts – to its top-selling Dynasty diesel pusher. “We are giving customers a reason to trade up,” said Mike Snell, vice president of sales and marketing. “We also focused on color fades, which really jazzed up the exterior.” The Monaco Dynasty made its retail debut March 19-22 at the Family Motor Coach Association’s 77th International Convention in Perry, Ga. The Dynasty... Read more

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