Herschberger Joins Venture as Sales Manager

According to a press release, Herschberger joins Venture RV with six years of retail sales, management and manufacturing sales experience in the recreational vehicle industry. In his new position he will be responsible for sales of Venture RV’s lineup of lightweight travel trailers throughout U.S.

“Kyle’s experience in retail goes beyond RV sales,” said Dave Boggs, director of marketing and sales for Venture RV. “He has formal training in web development, search engine optimization and social media strategy.  His YouTube channels have more than half a million video views from the last two years alone. For dealers who are looking to define their web presence, Kyle will make an excellent partner.”

“I’m excited to be part of the Venture RV team,” says Herschberger. “Venture RV offers dealers the best of both worlds: an innovative new product line with exclusive territory agreements, as well as financially sound ownership and 40 years of production experience that other start-ups lack.”

Herschberger resides in Middlebury, Ind. He can be contacted at (260) 768-2067 or kherschberger@venture-rv.com

Gulf Stream Ultra-Light Debuts Triple-Slide Unit

The Ultra-Light division of Gulf Stream Coach Inc. is introducing a new 35-foot triple-slide floorplan sporting a rear entertainment configuration, island kitchen and a bathroom/wardrobe slide – a first in the lightweight trailer sector, according to a press release.

The new 30RLK heralds a host of improvements and introductions for the Gulf Stream Ultra-Light division, including the design, weight, durability and environmental benefits of synthetic substrates used in the vacuum-bonded laminated fiberglass walls that characterize Gulf Breeze, StreamLite and VISA trailers.

Twelve units from the Ultra-Light division will be on display in the Gulf Stream Coach display at the RVIA Show (Space #2125), including several new floorplans like a new 21-foot Ultra Light at 2,800 featuring two island kitchen plans. Other amenities offered are an outdoor pantry under the awning, new interior fabric choices, a Bluetooth-enabled stereo sound system, new under-mount soapstone-style kitchen sink, new solid-surface countertops, enhanced bedroom storage and convenience items and a handy bumper-mounted grille.

 

 

 

Venture RV to Show SportTrek Line in Louisville

Shipshewana, Ind.-based Venture RV, an Indiana-based manufacturer of lightweight travel trailers, will be displaying its new SportTrek line at the National RV Trade Show, Nov. 27-29 in Louisville, Ky.

“The dealer reaction to the product has been phenomenal,” Dave Boggs, director of marketing and sales for the KZRV LP subsidiary, said in a press release. “Dealers in both the U.S. and Canada have already seen success with retail sales in just days after the product has landed. We will be introducing our eighth floorplan to the dealer base at this year’s RVIA show in Booth 1120 in the South Wing.”

The new 320VIK floorplan is an island kitchen model that comes with three sliderooms, 82-inch sofa, junior dinette, in/out pass-through bathroom and Campfire Café outdoor kitchen. The SportTrek line offers lengths ranging from 26- to 35-feet and are equipped with an enclosed underbelly and champagne colored front and back wall. The trailer can be towed by today’s small crossovers, SUVs and light duty trucks.

For more information is available online at www.venture-rv.com.

 

 

Livin’ Lite Makes Inc. Top 500 List for 3rd Year

Livin’ Lite Recreational Vehicles LLC announced it has secured space near the RV/MH Hall of Fame to display product during the Elkhart County RV Open House Week, Sept. 17-21.

In addition, the Wakarusa, Ind.-based lightweight trailer builder said that it has been named to INC. Magazine’s Top 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies for the third straight year.

“It’s exciting to make this list for the third straight year,” reports LIVIN LITE President Scott Tuttle. “They actually have a Top 5000 list, and just the top 10% of that, the Top 500, make it into the magazine. To make the magazine for the third straight year is a testament to the incredible consumer interest in Livin’ Lite’s unique products as well as the hard work of our team members here at the factory.”

INC. Magazine reports that Livin’ Lite sales have increased 1,793.1% over the last three years, placing them at No. 201 on the list of rapidly growing companies.

Tuttle said that Livin’ Lite will be introducing several new products during the open house, including: the 21-foot Camplite, the company’s first slideout model; an all-new new truck camper; and the Axxess ultra-lightweight toy hauler.

Livin’ Lite is going to be sharing a cul-de-sac with EverGreen RV LLC and Cruiser RV LLC on Executive Drive, which leads to the Hall of Fame.

“It’s nice to be sharing space with two other great companies that we really respect and we are confident that dealers who take the time to stop by and see our product displays will not be disappointed,” said Tuttle.

EverGreen Adds Two New Ever-Lite Floorplans

Middlebury, Ind.-based EverGreen Recreational Vehicles LLC announced two new floorplans in its Ever-Lite line of travel trailers.

According to a press release, the lightweight, easy-to-tow Ever-Lite is the first product EverGreen RV produced when the company began manufacturing RVs in 2008 and has remained the flagship brand ever since. There are currently 10 travel trailer floorplans in the Ever-Lite line, eight offering a deep-slide.

The New 2013 Ever-Lite floorplans include:

• The 30RLW-DS Ever-Lite travel trailer is a deep-slide model with two entry doors and a slideout lounge and dinette. It features captain-style lounge chair seating in the rear of the coach and a mid dry bath. The sleeping area is separated from the rest of the coach by the bathroom and has its own entry door.

• The 30KIS-DIS Ever-Lite travel trailer is also a deep-slide model and features EverGreen’s new kitchen island. A slideout dinette and couch on one side with a slideout kitchen on the opposite side leave room for groups to mingle around the kitchen island, making it ideal for entertaining. This floorplan also comes with a rear dry bath.

KZRV’s New Venture Division Debuts SportTrek

Venture RV, a new of division KZRV LP, Shipshewana, Ind., has introduced a lightweight laminated fiberglass SportTrek travel trailer intended to compete with entry-level “stick-and-tin” units.

“Venture RV gives KZ as a company the latitude to start fresh with something different than anything else,” said David Boggs, who will lead the new venture as director of marketing and sales. “Venture RV was formed to offer unique products to dealers in key markets on a volume basis.”

The new division, while located at KZRV’s Shipshewana manufacturing complex, will make the SportTrek independent of KZRV’s other operations. “It’s going to have a dedicated plant with separate engineering, sales and purchasing,” Boggs said.

Boggs said that Venture may share some KZRV dealers but that its dealership base also will be separate from KZRV.

The SportTrek, with a starting base MSRP of $21,000, well equipped, initially will be available with six 25- to 34-foot floorplans, all intended for towing behind light pickup trucks, SUVs and crossover vehicles. “The SportTrek is a valued positioned travel trailer that competes in the “Stick-n-Tin” market with the advantage of having a fiberglass exterior,” Boggs said.

Each will have a single slideout with one floorplan — the front-bedroom 340JS bunkhouse layout — designed with a rear wardrobe slide in the bunk area.

Standard features include champagne-colored front, rear and slideout ends, Beauflor linoleum, adjustable pantry, designer padded headboard, Comfort by Design residential-style furniture with “flipside” reversible cushions and AL-KO Auto Adjusting Brakes. Also standard are a heated and enclosed underbelly, EZ Water Management Control Panel, a hidden compartment called the Safe ‘T’ek Box located near the front door to store valuables along with a 110 outlet for charging electronic devices and a lighted triple-step entry door.

A 32-inch LED “smart” flat screen TV that can hookup to the Internet is optional.

Scot Robbins (srobbins@venture-rv.com) and Jim Weiss (jweiss@venture-rv.com) will be sales representatives for the SportTrek.

Pacific Coachworks Debuting ECON Trailer Line

Pacific Coachworks Inc. announced the launch of its all-new line of ECON lightweight series trailers. According to a press release, the line will include a toy hauler floorplan named the ECON X.

“This product is in high demand and recent events have created what we feel to be a big void in the already successful lightweight trailer market,” said Pacific Coachworks General Manager Jeff Daily.

Brett Bashaw, CEO and president of the Riverside, Calif.-based builder, noted he is expecting that the new ECON will “add to the success and growth of the company as did the Tango, Panther, Powerlite and SandSport products after being introduced into the market during the past 12 months.”

For more information contact Pacific Coachworks at (951) 686-7294.

Gulf Stream’s Rear-Bath VISA Hits Hot Button

Initial dealer reaction to the release of Gulf Stream Coach Inc.’s rear-bath 19RBS floorplan in its VISA travel trailer line has been enthusiastic, according to a press release.

“Our introduction of a rear-bath 19-footer has dealers lining up to get spots on the VISA production schedule,” said National Sales Manager Tim Dennig, pointing out that factory output has increased 25% to accommodate the demand for the aerodynamic super lightweight towable that has earned Certified “Green” status from TRA Certification Inc.

Dennig said that VISA sales have been particularly strong among veteran trailer campers. “Our new 19RBS fulfills the expectations of camping couples who are looking for a generous walk-around queen bed, complete galley kitchen and spacious bath that spans the full with of the trailer,” he said.

Built with an aerodynamic one-piece laminated fiberglass roof that sweeps from the front hitch to the back bumper, the VISA by Gulf Stream uses curved surfaces inside as well, making the living area more spacious and inviting. Designer fabrics, hardwoods and synthetic materials work together to create an interior equipped with a lengthy list of standard features.

“It’s the right combination of innovative design, top-quality construction, fuel efficiency and towing ease,” said Dennig.

For more information contact Dennig at 574-773-7761, ext. 5146 or email tdennig@gulfstreamcoach.com.

 

Gulf Stream’s ‘Couples’ Model Posts Brisk Sales

Nappanee, Ind.-based Gulf Stream Coach Inc. reports that sales are brisk for a “couples-oriented” floorplan in the company’s Conquest and Innsbruck lightweight travel trailer lines.

According to a press release, the 29-foot 295SBW trailer weighs in at less than 6,800 pounds, making it “an easy, compliant tow, with a well-balanced corrosion-resistant powder-coated steel chassis.” The model is also equipped with a seamless roof.

Exterior walls of wood studs on 13-inch centers with thick batts of hand-cut fiberglass insulation are wrapped with heavy-gauge corrugated aluminum and anchored on top of the solid, durable floor with steel straps.  The floor deck is screwed and glued to joists on 13-inch centers, for a solid feel underfoot.

Inside, Gulf Stream designers have chosen tough but stylish easy-care fabrics and wall coverings while flooring is a popular cut-resistant high-performance wood-grain vinyl that makes campsite cleanups quick and easy.  Furnishings are generous and comfy and the cabinetry offers hand-finished solid wood cabinet doors and drawers with ball-bearing guides.

The 295SBW uses a double slideout reinforced with a 4-inch solid-steel header to create a main living area ideal for relaxing or casual entertaining. The bedroom suite features a floor-to-ceiling wardrobe with drawers in the hall, a walk-around queen bed, privacy door and an adjacent full bath with porcelain foot-flush toilet, linen closet and roomy corner shower.

Like other models in the Conquest and Innsbruck lines, the 295SBW comes with a two-year limited warranty on structure and key components.

For additional information about the 295SBW, contact General Manager Randy Baskerville at 574-773-7761, ext. 5176 or rbaskerville@gulfstreamcoach.com.

 

Dennig Will Head Gulf Stream Lightweight Sales

Gulf Stream Coach Inc. has named Tim Dennig as national sales manager for the Nappanee, Ind.-based company’s lightweight trailer brands, according to a press release.

“Tim Dennig has built an impressive career centered on lightweight towable sales management, including experience with Gulf Stream several years ago,” said Gulf Stream President Dan Shea.

Shea said that Dennig would head up sales for Gulf Stream’s StreamLite, Gulf Breeze, Matrix, Northern Express and Capri brands of lightweight travel trailers. The lines, featuring laminated sidewalls and aluminum-frame construction, are built at the company’s facility in Etna Green, Ind.

“Dennig’s position also gives him responsibility for sales of the VISA by Gulf Stream,” Shea added.

The ultra-lightweight VISA trailer features an aerodynamic one-piece laminated fiberglass roof that extends from the front hitch to the back bumper. Offered in seven floorplans from 17 to 23 feet, the VISA has generated strong sales in the United States and Canada, according to Gulf Stream.

“I’m very excited to represent such a well-respected family of brands,” said Dennig. “Like all Gulf Stream products, these brands have an excellent reputation for quality, comfort, attractive styling, innovation and light weight. In fact, we’ve been able to add six new dealers in the two weeks I’ve been here, and the whole industry is talking about the VISA by Gulf Stream – one of the most exciting and successful towable products brought to the market in years.

Dennig attended Loyola University in New Orleans, and has lived in the Elkhart, Ind., area for over 30 years. He will work at the Nappanee headquarters and can be reached at 574-773-7761, ext. 5146, or at tdennig@gulfstreamcoach.com.

 

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