TMC Reporting Record Sales at Hershey Show

“The customer response for our motorhomes was amazing. We had people in the Thor Motor Coach display from the time the show opened until we closed,”  remarked Joel Grimm, national sales manager for gas motorhomes at Thor Motor Coach.

According to a press release, the most sought after and talked about addition at the RV show was Thor Motor Coach’s new HD-MAX exterior packages, a line of full color exterior décor packages that provide the look and feel of a full body paint package, but for thousands of dollars less. HD-MAX exteriors are available on TMC’s A.C.E., Hurricane, and Windsport Class A motorhomes, Four Winds and Chateau Class C motorhomes, along with the Siesta and Citation Class C, B-plus style motorhomes.

The redesigned Hurricane and Windsport Class A motorhomes, shown to the public for the first time at Hershey, were well received, according to TMC, particularly the new 34E rear bath-and-a-half floorplan.

TMC reported that its best selling A.C.E. brand posted record sales, while the Palazzo line of compact diesel pusher motorhomes also attracted buyers. The Tuscany and Tuscany XTE luxury diesel pushers also drew attention with a mix of content and price in a higher-line diesel motorhome.

The new 31L Four Winds and Chateau Class C motorhomes are marketed as offering more interior living space than most Class A motorhomes while the 29TB triple-slide Siesta and Citation had completely new interiors with upgraded features including optional leveling jacks, Firestone Ride-Rite air suspension, and HD-MAX exteriors.

“The commitment to our valued dealers and retail customers, focus on innovative customer service programs, and the development of ‘must have’ products is generating added excitement for Thor Motor Coach products,” commented Dana Simon, vice president of sales at Thor Motor Coach.

Visit http://ThorMotorCoach.com for more about Thor Motor Coach.

RVers Helping Drive Colorado Area’s Economy

Even on vacation, Dick and Nina Chapman are never too far from home. That’s because, according to a report in the Durango (Colo.) Herald, their home – or second home – goes with them.

“This was always a dream of mine to retire and get an RV,” said Dick Chapman, 77, of Albuquerque, N.M., while relaxing in his $200,000 Tiffin Phaeton motorhome parked last week at the Alpen Rose RV Park in the Animas Valley north of Durango.

The luxurious home on wheels includes a full kitchen, living room, bedroom with queen-size bed, bathroom, shower, wood cabinets, ceramic tile floors, decorative lighting, two leather couches and four televisions.

It is powered by a diesel engine that gets 7 miles to the gallon, Dick Chapman said. “It’s very smooth,” he said. “It drives easily.”

RVers and drivers who pull trailers have a significant impact on the local economy, representing about a fourth of all tourists who pass through the Durango Area Tourism Office, said Jack Llewellyn, executive director of the Durango Chamber of Commerce.

Some roll into town in large groups and stay for several days, if not weeks, he said. They often arrive without a strict schedule, so the tourism office works to inform them about the local attractions to keep them here for as long as possible, Llewellyn said.

“Definitely, I think they have a big impact to our economy,” he said.

To read the entire article click here.

 

TMC Debuting New Windsport at Hershey Show

Thor Motor Coach is debuting a redesigned Windsport motorhome at America’s Largest RV Show  in Hershey, Pa., along with the company’s all new HD-MAX full-color exterior graphics packages. The event opened Monday (Sept. 10) and runs through Saturday at the Giant Center.

According to a press release, the gas-powered Class A Windsport is currently in its 16th year of production. “With some much improved changes to modernize the Windsport, dealers and retail consumers are going to love what the new Windsport has to offer,” said Jon Krider, director of product planning at Thor Motor Coach.

The new front cap on the Windsport reveals aggressive headlight styling and large panoramic windshield while the rear cap is highlighted with vertical LED taillights. The coach’s interior ceiling height has been raised providing more living space and increased cabinet storage. The five available floorplans for the Windsport motorhomes start at 30 feet and extend up to 35 feet. The Windsport 35-foot 34E is also making its debut at this year’sshow, offering a rear bath plus an additional half-bath at mid-ship.

Along with new styling, the 2013 Windsport will sport Thor Motor Coach’s all-new HD-MAX exterior graphics packages. According to Thor, HD-MAX full-color exteriors cost thousands of dollars less than existing full-body paint schemes.

Thor Motor Coach will also be showing the new Windsport and HD-MAX exteriors at this year’s Thor Industries Open House at the RV/Motorhome Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Ind., on Sept. 18-20. For additional information visit http://ThorMotorCoach.com/2012OpenHouse-HD-MAX.php.

Fleetwood to Show New Models at Open House

Decatur, Ind.-based Fleetwood RV Inc. will unveil several new floorplans and innovative designs in its 2013 diesel and gas motorhome lines Sept. 18-20 during the Elkhart County RV Open House.

According to a press release, the company’s expansive 2013 product lineup “continues to showcase quality construction, reliability and innovative design.” Highlighting the rollout, Fleetwood will show all-new floorplans for its for top-selling Bounder, Bounder Classic, Southwind and Discovery.

Fleetwood is also launching two new floorplans for its innovative compact diesel pusher, the Excursion. The 35B and 35C both boast contemporary layouts and design throughout including a mid-coach Whirlpool 18-cubic foot residential refrigerator and wrap-around kitchen providing functionality and an abundant space for cooking and dining.

“We listened to feedback directly from our customers in creating these new floor plans and designs for our 2013 models,” said John Draheim, president and CEO of Fleetwood RV. “Our new floorplans feature contemporary designs that will resonate with savvy consumers and our sales team is excited for the opportunity to show the new designs to both current and potential dealers.”

Fleetwood’s nationwide sales team will be on hand to show the new product and conduct product training. The company said that dealers should contact their district sales manager to schedule times for exclusive training.

The Fleetwood RV Open House event will be located just 1 mile west of the RV/MH Hall of Fame on County Road 6 at Frederic Drive in Elkhart. The product display will be adjacent to the Burston Marketing building at 52950 Frederic Drive. Complimentary lunch will be served daily.

For more information on all Fleetwood RV products, call 1-800-322-8216 or visit www.fleetwoodrv.com.

 

 

Newmar Holds ‘Comfort Drive Promo’ at FMCA

Nappanee, Ind.-based Newmar Corp. announced today that during the recently completed Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) National Convention in Indianoplis, the company provide 72 attendees with test drives as part of its Comfort Drive Steering promotion.

According to a press release, participants were awarded $100 in free fuel once they completed a test drive and a survey.

“Comfort Drive Steering is an innovative feature that makes driving a Newmar diesel motorhome a much more comfortable and easy experience,” said Matt Miller, Newmar’s president. “Unlike a slideroom, however, Comfort Drive Steering can only be properly demonstrated during a thorough test drive. So we decided to allow our visitors to experience Comfort Drive Steering first hand at this event.”

The test drives conducted by Newmar personnel lasted about 40 minutes and covered roughly 23 miles. The course included secondary roads in addition to interstate roads conditions. Newmar made 80 test drive appointments available using four of its diesel motorhomes.

“I felt completely at ease driving the Dutch Star with Comfort Drive Steering,” commented Allen Polka from Comfort, Texas. “Driving the Newmar motorhome required me to place so much less pressure on the steering wheel to keep going straight or making a turn. It was like driving on auto pilot.”

 

NYT Writer Takes Winnebago Via on Test Drive

Editor’s Note: The following is a blog from New York Times contributor Ezra Dyer offering a first-hand account of his experience driving a Winnebago Via on the family vacation.

After five minutes of wrestling with the electronic parking-meter station, I had my receipts to place beneath the windshield wiper. A roving meter maid would see that I had paid for my spot. And the spot next to it. And the one next to that, thus answering the question, “Where do you park a 25-foot Winnebago Via motor coach?” I’ll take spaces 113 through 115, thanks.

This year, the 2013 Via served as transportation for the annual family trip to the beach. We rented a house, but I figured the Winnebago in the driveway would serve as my oasis of solitude, a respite from the perpetual activity in the house. It also would serve as a sort of mega-sport utility vehicle, toting much of the luggage and assorted detritus to fill the six-bedroom rental.

At first blush, the Via seems unfathomably huge and ponderous; it may have only four seat belts, but its rear luggage compartment is bigger than some hotel rooms I’ve stayed in. Within a couple of hours on the road, however, I was throwing it into corners like the overgrown Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van it was.

To read the entire article click here.

 

FMCA Expecting Crowd of 8,000 for Indy Event

Fleetwood RV Inc. will unveil a chic new restyled exterior for its top-of-the-line 2013 American Heritage diesel pusher Class A motorhome featuring 20 LED lights in a redesigned front cap at the Family Motor Coach Association’s (FMCA) 87th Family Reunion & Motorhome Showcase next week at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.

The Decatur, Ind., company also will introduce a 36-foot, gas-powered Fleetwood Bounder Classic model that includes a full wall, street-side slideout at FMCA’s once-a-year national consumer gathering slated for Aug. 27-30 at the 250-acre fairgrounds on the city’s accessible north side.

In addition, 40 of Navistar Inc.’s Monaco and Holiday Rambler-brand motorhomes will be among the approximately 260 coaches on display at Indy – the first FMCA consumer convention to be held in the Hoosier State since Cincinnati-based FMCA staged a 1991 confab at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend.

”That will be more coaches than we’ve had at recent conventions,” said FMCA President Jerry Yeatts, adding that some 2,500 towable and motorized family coaches with about 8,000 people are expected to show at the late August event.

Attendees, meanwhile, will also see a $1.7 million motorcoach at the Newell Coach Corp. display as well as Newmar Corp.’s 2013 Dutch Star diesel pusher that’s been significantly upgraded. ”The Dutch Star has a completely new look inside and out,” Newmar’s John Sammut, vice president of sales and marketing for the Nappanee, Ind., manufacturer, tells RVBUSINESS.com.

Vendors offering RV accessories, components, supplies and campground information will display their wares inside Champions Hall.

While move-in days are Saturday and Sunday, a special preview of the motorhome exhibits will be held from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday. Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the balance of the convention.

Gate price for non-members is $240 per RV, while members pay $190. Daily admission for exhibits is $7.00 per person with children admitted free with an accompanying adult. Individuals with an active military ID are also admitted free.

 

 

More: I Want My Ex Back Blog

TMC Debuts Open-Concept Challenger A-Body

Thor Motor Coach announces the launch of the 37GT to its Challenger line of premium gas-powered Class A motorhomes featuring an innovative, spacious kitchen design.

According to a press release, the 2013 Challenger 37GT model offers consumers an island kitchen with “massive countertop spaces.” Continuing the trend of modern design, the overhead storage throughout the kitchen is multi-functional with a wine rack that includes hanging glass storage.

The 38-foot Challenger 37GT has an elongated sofa with kick-up footrest along with swiveling captain’s chairs, all offering a great view of the hide-away, retractable 32-inch LCD TV. The free-standing buffet dinette provides a view of the campsite under the patio awning, while keeping the “open concept” throughout the coach.

Other features include:

• Hidden trash receptacle in island.

• Large sofa & recliner combo with hide-a-bed.

• Large walkthrough all-in-one bathroom.

• Dual vanities and full length mirror in bathroom.

• Large panoramic window across from kitchen.

Storage space is also the primary focus in the bath and bedroom areas that also offer his-and-her vanities, a full length “dressing” mirror and stackable washer/dryer prep as standards.

“The size of the kitchen sets this floorplan apart. It feels big and if you like to entertain, this is the coach for you,” said Joel Grimm, national sales manager for gas motorhomes.

 

 

 

RV Industry on the Rebound; Sales Rise in L.A.

Mark and Kimberly Clemens recently super-sized their cross-country trip to a July 4th family festival in Owensboro, Ky.

The Daily News, Los Angeles, reported that the couple traveled in their new 33-foot, tricked-out motorhome, which cost as much as a house in some of the towns they will pass through.

“The rig is performing really well,” said Mark Clemens, a 59-year-old Woodland Hills, Calif., insurance broker, in a phone interview during the trip at the Cracker Barrel in Kingman, Ariz. “I like it a lot. I like the freedom to kind of come and go. If you see a point of interest you can stop and check it out. You get to see a lot more than you do at 35,000 feet.”

The Clemenses had plenty of company at the campgrounds they visited along the way.

The RV sector is on the road to recovery, after being decimated by the recession, losing 260 dealers and three big manufacturers nationwide.

“We’re probably having the best year we’ve had in several years and we’re trying very hard,” said Bo Beaubrixey, general manager at the Camping World dealership in Valencia. “People want to use their RVs and go camping. All the campgrounds are full (this season). Even high gas prices are not stopping people from using their RVs.”

The store’s sales have increased between 25% and 30% from the recession low, Beaubrixey said. He declined to provide specific numbers.

After the economy tanked, people were still coming into the store looking to buy but could not get financing, he said.

Buying an RV is similar to buying a car, but banks want a 20% down payment and the payments are stretched over 10, 12, 15 or 20 years, Beaubrixey said.

This sector measures its strength in shipments of travel trailers and motor coaches from manufacturers to dealers. It has been on the upswing since 2009, said Phil Ingrassia, president of the Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA).

Through the end of May, RV shipments increased 8.6% to 127,454, compared with 117,352 in the first five months of 2011, he said.

“It’s definitely on the rebound,” Ingrassia said. “RVs are a discretionary purchase. One of the things we look at is consumer sentiment. When consumer sentiment takes a dive, usually RV shipments drop as well.”

To read the entire article in the Daily News click here.

 

FMCA Adds ‘On-The-Road-Reporter’ to Website

It’s estimated that every day 10,000 baby boomers reach retirement age. According to a press release, that time is fast approaching for Mike Wendland.

Although Wendland has traveled extensively during a three-decade career in broadcast and print journalism, he recently decided that it was time to shift gears. Like many others, he opted to enjoy his journeys in a motorhome.

Wendland currently is traveling in a 22-foot Class B Roadtrek motorhome as a member of Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) motorhome owners club. He has combined his affection for motorhome travel with his skills as a journalist and technology buff to become FMCA’s new on-the-road reporter. His explorations are depicted in the “Open Mike” series of videos and blogs that recently debuted on www.FMCA.com.

“So many times, I remember looking down from 30,000 feet on some flight and longing to be down there, to experience the mountains and valleys and plains and coastlines,” he said. “I wanted to really be there, not just stand there and use the scenery as a backdrop to a standup before heading to the airport and another story somewhere else.”

Traveling with his wife, Jennifer, and Tai, their 65-pound Norwegian elkhound, the first “Open Mike” video posts focused on a visit to FMCA’s member-only campground in Cincinnati, Ohio; a trip around Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, including Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and a stop in Grand Marais; installing LED lights in a motorhome; a look at the Superbag sleep system for RV beds; and a dramatic windstorm Mike experienced during a fuel stop in Findlay, Ohio.

FMCA.com visitors can look forward to the couple’s first true trip out West in August, where they will experience the Badlands of South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park, among other iconic sites, as well as cozy campgrounds and out-of-the-way discoveries.

Upon their return to the Midwest, they’ll stop at FMCA’s 87th Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, which runs Aug. 27-30.

“We can’t wait to get started,” Mike said.

To follow the journey of FMCA’s new on-the-road RV reporter, visit http://www.fmca.com/openmike.

 

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