Heartland Introduces 2+5 Warranty on Landmark

Underscoring the structural integrity of its flagship Landmark fifth-wheel line built for full-time RVing, Heartland RV has instituted an inclusive 2+5 year warranty on all 2013 models.

The warranty, providing two years bumper-to-bumper and five years structural coverage on the roof, sidewalls and floor, represents “one of the most comprehensive warranties in the industry,” according to General Manager Kary Katzenberger.

“Full-timers consider their RV as their home,” Katzenberger said in a press release. “One of the biggest selling features is peace of mind – knowing that their RV is not only well constructed but also protected in the long-term. The 2+5 warranty represents a set-apart added value in the luxury fifth-wheel marketplace, both for the consumer and our dealer body.”

The Landmark fifth-wheel represents Heartland’s first entry in the RV market when the Elkhart, Ind.-based company was founded in 2004. Built with an integrated system of laminated fiberglass sidewalls, flooring and roof to increase durability while reducing overall weight, the Landmark is tailored to meet the demands of all-weather conditions and the rigors of full-time use.

“In addition to achieving increased strength and a lighter weight, laminated construction affords superior thermal insulation and noise reduction over wood-framed products,” said Katzenberger.

The Landmark is currently available in four floorplans in lengths of 33 to 41 feet, with two new floorplans coming to market in the next 90 days. In addition to a sturdy foundation, the series also offers a residential environment with attractive decors and high-line amenities.

New features in the 2013 line include a “whisper quiet” dual A/C system, optional 6-point leveling system and a new LCD, touch-screen remote that operates the landing gear, awning and sliderooms. MSRP’s start at $74,900.

“The Landmark already offered one of the best values in the luxury, full-time fifth-wheel market,” said Katzenberger. “The 2+5 warranty reinforces Heartland’s standing as a leader in the category, providing the luxury and durability that full-timers require along with the peace of mind that they have made a sound investment.”

 

McMahon’s to Carry Forest River’s Trilogy Fiver

Forest River Inc. has contracted with California-based McMahon’s RV to sell the builder’s new Trilogy luxury fifth-wheel.

According to a press release, the 42-foot Trilogy offers a roomy interior with three sildeouts and 6-foot, 7-inch ceilings. Other amenities include a 40-inch HD TV in the living room, a 32-inch HD TV in the bedroom, Frigidaire stainless steel refrigerator, solid-surface countertops and an on-board floor vacuum.

“The Trilogy is a great RV addition to our already wide selection of fifth-wheels,” said Brent McMahon, president of McMahon’s RV. “We know our customers, and this fifth-wheel is something they will want for sure.”

McMahon’s RV is a division of MegaRV Corp. and has been serving Southern California since 2000. The dealership recently expanded into Arizona. For more information visit www.mcmahonrv.com.

 

Pacific Coachworks Rolling Out SandSport Fivers

Pacific Coachworks Inc. recently announced that the Riverside, Calif.-based builder is now shipping its initial order of SandSport fifth-wheels.

“The new fifth-wheels will complement the already successful SandSport toy hauler trailers which were first released in the fall of 2011,” said General Manager Jeff Daily in a press release. “The demand for these new products has far exceeded our highest expectations.”

Dealers carrying the SandSport toy hauler line include All Season’s RV, All Valley RV, DC’s RV, Johnnie Walker RV, Little Dealer Little Prices, Pan Pacific RV, Paul Evert’s RV, Range RV and SST RV.

Brett Bashaw, president and CEO of Pacific Coachworks noted, “The immediate success of the SandSport toy haulers has created numerous other opportunities for each of the Pacific Coachworks products, including the Powerlite toy haulers as well as the model lineup of the Panther and Tango conventional travel trailers.”

The company said that Jimmy Roberts, Len Longo (United States) and Ernie Kish (Canada) are “actively seeking” dealers to handle product lines. For additional information call 951-686-7294.

 

Redwood RV Introduces Blackwood Fifth-Wheel

Redwood RV will introduce the Blackwood fifth-wheel line this year at the Nov. 29-Dec. 1 National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Ky.

“The team at Redwood is excited to be expanding our product offering,” said Paul Craven, product manager for Syracuse, Ind.-based Redwood. “With a strong demand from our current dealer base, we are taking the successful components of the Redwood story to the Blackwood fifth-wheel. Large territories, zoned freight, level pricing and MSRP advertising will be the cornerstone of this product.

“Our business philosophy is simple – the dealer is our customer and we’re developing products and programs to ensure their success and profitability.”

Blackwood models range from 31 to 39 feet in length and are initially available in four floorplans, including a bunkhouse model. Starting MSRP is around $60,000 nicely appointed.

“From a product standpoint, Blackwood leads the industry in fit and finish, and innovation,” said Tom Montague, general manager. “Highlighted by the most open user-friendly master bedroom in the industry, Blackwood offers the experienced RV buyer a coach that’s sure to exceed all expectations. From recreational users to weekenders, Blackwood is setting the new standard for excellence.”

 

CrossRoads’ Sunset Trail to Debut in Louisville

Topeka, Ind.-based CrossRoads RV Inc. has “redefined the lightweight fifth-wheel market” with its Sunset Trail line featuring an innovative front cap slide-out system, according to a press release.

The new Sunset Trail offers floorplans starting at 25 feet in length and around 7,500 pounds “true weight” with full-depth slideouts. Other standard features include:

• Front cap slideout with patent pending Bi-lateral Operating Slideout System (B.O.S.S.).

• Barreled ceilings in a fifth-wheel with 8 feet 3 inches of interior height.

• Aerodynamic front cap with LED strip lighting.

• 90-degree turning radius.

• 33% larger windows with automotive trim seal.

• Residential interiors with solid-surface countertops.

Product Manager John Fisher noted, “We have made large strides in the lightweight towable market and will keep this momentum going in 2012. As we introduce our new Sunset Trail fifth-wheel line, we are excited to see the dealer response to the B.O.S.S. front cap slide system technology which provides more livable space and a roomier interior without the ‘feel’ of towing a larger, heavy unit.”

The Sunset Trail fifth-wheel will make its debut at the Nov. 29-Dec. 1 49th Annual National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Ky. CrossRoads will display product in Booth No. 1001 in the South Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC).

 

 

Yellowstone Debuts Fiver for Short-bed Trucks

Nappanee. Ind.-based Yellowstone RV has introduced the SB-1500 series in its Canyon Trail fifth-wheel lineup that tows, turns and maneuvers perfectly when hitched to today’s extra short-bed pickup trucks – without the need for an expensive slider hitch.

According to a press release, the Canyon Trail XLT SB-1500 offers three highly functional floorplans that use a specially designed front end for excellent turning clearance with pickup truck cargo beds as short as 5½ feet.

Yellowstone said that while the new breed of Crew Cab pickups feature luxurious passenger space, the shorter dimensions of their beds make simple fifth-wheel maneuvers and turns impossible. That’s where the SB-1500 series fits in, with “dimensions and geometry that take the shorter turning radius and restricted clearance of the extra short bed trucks into account.”

The company added that “there’s no shortage of luxury in the SB-1500s.” Like all Canyon Trail fifth-wheels, the new series features premium furnishings, residential-style kitchens, multiple slideouts, state-of-the-art entertainment options, generous lighting and enormous storage spaces. Designs and specifications have been refined with the input of seasoned RVers for easy carefree camping.

Canyon Trail also features the Extreme Weather Protection Package, an advanced combination of foam, fiberglass, urethane, radiant film technology, ventilation and vapor control, providing R38 values in the ceiling, R32 in the floor, and R14 in all four walls. A fully enclosed and heated basement and R38 insulated holding tank compartment contribute to the true four-season capabilities of the Canyon Trail.

The new Aztec Luxury Edition Package, available on all Canyon Trail products including the SB-1500 models, adds a group of sophisticated appearance and performance enhancements particularly popular with Canyon Trail customers.

For more information on Yellowstone RV and its Ridgeway and Canyon Trail fifth-wheels and travel trailers, contact National Sales Manager Mike Spencer at 574-773-7761, ext.5158, mspencer@yellowstonRVs.com) or visit www.yellowstoneRVs.com.

 

HGTV RV Program Examines Fifth-Wheel Trailers

Today’s featured video looks at HGTV’s installment on fifth-wheel trailers. This video is part of RV 2010 show hosted by Chi-Lan Lieu .

Carriage to Debut Luxury Fiver at June Show

High-end fifth-wheel manufacturer Carriage Inc. will introduce a new entry-level fiver during its 2011 New Product Show June 21-24 at the Gaylord Texan Hotel and Convention Center in Dallas, Texas.

But Carriage President and CEO Don Emahiser says it won’t be a big departure from what the Millersburg, Ind., firm has done for years.

”It’s still going to be a luxury fifth-wheel, but it won’t have all the amenities that we have for our ‘resort’ vehicles,” Emahiser said.

Emahiser said the new unit, yet to be named, is designed to appeal more to the weekend and vacation RVer than to the full-timer for whom other Carriage products are designed.

It’s going to allow us to get to the retail customer one generation sooner,” Emahiser said.

The new fifth-wheel becomes Carriage’s least expensive RV behind Cameo, which will still be built. The new unit will retail in the $40,000 to $50,000 range.

Other Carriage products include the Carri-Lite, Domani and top-of-the-line Royals International, the price of which was greatly reduced for the 2010 model year.

”We’ll have two prototype floorplans at our dealer show and six by the Louisville trade show,” Emahiser said. ”We will have improvements in our other lines, but nothing earth-shattering because nothing is broken.”

Between 50 and 60 of Carriage’s approximately 100 dealers are expected to attend the show, which includes a welcoming cocktail party, business meeting, one-on-one sit-downs with regional sales managers and golf at the Dallas Cowboys Golf Club.

Emahiser said it appears the market is improving as the nation recovers from the Great Recession. “Dealers are adding inventory, which is good, and they are selling stuff so they are cautiously optimistic,” Emahiser said.

Carriage Inc. Names Emahiser New CEO/President

 

Carriage Inc. has promoted Don Emahiser to CEO and president of its entire corporate operations, Glenn Cushman, chairman, announced this week.

Emahiser was previously the Millersburg, Ind.-based company’s vice president of sales and marketing and has been with Carriage for the past five years. Prior to that, the RV industry veteran served in upper management at Starcraft Corp. for many years.

While in charge of sales for Carriage, Emahiser helped increase the number of dealers by 25% and doubled sales within his first two years, according to a news release. Other accomplishments included growing market share to 40% of the high-end fifth-wheel market and taking the company’s Cameo product from a small market share to the 16th best selling fifth-wheel in North America. Emahiser has also helped create a new marketing brand campaign for Carriage’s 2010 model year product.

Carriage will continue to innovate and expand its product offerings and market dominance in the high-end fifth-wheel marketplace with Emahiser at the wheel, Cushman said, noting that Emahiser’s new “Resort Vehicles” mantra represents a fresh commitment to Carriage’s luxury fifth-wheel buyer.

“We’re thrilled with Don’s performance, leadership and ideas,” said Cushman. “New and exciting innovations are in store for the future – we are very optimistic – and Don is the right man for the times.”

Cushman will continue his role as chairman of Carriage Inc. Carriage is the sixth largest fifth-wheel manufacturer in the RV industry. The company has been providing quality, high-end towables for over 40 years. Current product brands include Cameo, Carri-Lite and Royals International.

Carriage is a privately held company and has employed around 400 workers in Elkhart County.

Former Western RV Workers Sue Company

Former managers and employees of Western Recreational Vehicles Inc. in Union Gap, Wash., have filed suit in federal court for reimbursement of unpaid benefits and damages.

The complaint, filed Tuesday (June 2) in U.S. District Court in Yakima, alleges the company failed to pay accrued vacation and provide the required 60-day notice when it ceased operations in April 2008, according to the Yakima Herald-Republic.

The high-end motorhome manufacturer laid off about 220 workers when it shut down production at its plant in Union Gap.

The lawsuit names 26 former salaried and hourly workers as plaintiffs. In addition to the unpaid vacation, former employees claim Western RV withheld the cost of medical and dental premiums from their paychecks after canceling health coverage without notifying employees.

“As a result, plaintiffs have incurred damages consisting of medical and dental expenses and wages due in an amount to be proven at trial,” the complaint said.

Under the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), employers are required to provide 60-day notice before shutting down an employment site or one or more facilities that results in job losses for 50 or more employees.

Named as defendants in the lawsuit are Western Recreational Vehicles and Philip Von Burg, listed as vice president of the firm when the firm closed its doors.

The suit does not specify a damage amount.

Yakima attorney Wade Gano, who is representing the former employees, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Western RV had operated in Yakima since 1971, manufacturing motorhomes, fifth-wheel trailers and campers. The founders of the company, Bill and Suzanne Doyle, sold the company to an equity firm, Monomoy Capital Partners of New York City, in 2006.

The firm was operating in Union Gap when it closed, citing a declining market for its products, some of which carried price tags of $500,000.

Western RV tried unsuccessfully to merge with an Indiana RV manufacturer prior to its closure.

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