Winnebego Debuts RV for Disabled
March 10, 2010
By Staff Report | March 9, 2010 – 4:25 pm – Posted in RV News Service
Winnebago Industries, Inc. has debuted a new fuel-efficient ERA Class B motorhome for RVers with physical challenges. While Winnebago Industries is known as a leader in the sale of traditional class A and C motorhomes, it is also an experienced leader in the design and manufacture of vehicles that enable individuals with special mobility concerns to travel freely and comfortably.
Special Ability Equipped ERA features include:
*The Ricon KlearVue lift in the rear of the motorhome provides easy access into the ERA while its low profile design allows an unobstructed view out the windows of the rear entrance door.
*Wider aisle-way provides for easier navigation inside the motorhome.
*Wheelchair lock-downs are provided on the driver’s side of the vehicle behind the front cab seats.
*Bath doors swing out for easy access into the bathroom.
*The wet bath includes an assist bar and second shower head holder.
*The custom galley includes sink, stove top, and microwave mounted under the stovetop for easy access. The Waeco refrigerator extends on a sliding tray from the end of the galley cabinet.
Built on an 8,550-lb. GVWR Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis with a fuel efficient 3L 6-cylinder turbo-diesel Mercedes-Benz engine, the ERA features an aerodynamic design with smooth lines and full body paint. The exterior is further enhanced with stylized, 16-inch aluminum wheels and full-length running boards. A 5,000-lb. hitch and optional patio awning are additional highlights of the coach. In addition to the rear door with the wheelchair lift, the ability equipped ERA also has front cab doors and a large sliding door on the passenger side of the vehicle for easy entry for additional occupants.
The ERA also features Winnebago Industries’ RV radio that combines an AM/FM, CD and weatherband in one and includes an iPod/MP3 jack and hand held remote. The radio is also combined with a rear view monitor system with a touch screen, displaying weather alerts and song type, in addition to a clear picture of the exterior behind the motorhome. The rear view monitor system also features one-way audio to enable a person outside to communicate with the driver in tight spots.
The ERA has plush, UltraLeather furnishings, solid-surface countertops and a 15-inch pivoting TV with DVD player. A rear dinette pedestal table and bench seats easily convert to a 40” x 69” sleeping area. The front cab seats swivel fully to face the rear of the motorhome for easy access from a wheelchair. A removable pedestal table by the cab seats also provides a second dining area or a convenient spot for playing games. The ERA has a ceiling height of 6 feet, 3 inches and an exterior length just over 24 feet.
SOURCE: Winnebago press release and RVtravel.com.
RV Transporters Needed
March 9, 2010
by Jaimie Hall Bruzenakas appeared on RV Home Yet? March 6, 2010
RV Business reports that “Classic Transport, Elkhart, Ind., is backlogged six weeks on deliveries, according to CEO Bill Garvey. ”Drivers aren’t crazy about coming to IN in the snow.’”
Wave Express, on the other hand, has capitalized on the backlog by working directly with the dealers and had an easier time recruiting drivers in those markets rather than in Indiana.
Transporting RVs does have its downsides. You will wear out your truck much faster. Even Garvey admits, this is not full-time work. “We recruit part-time drivers, 50-70 year-olds. We are not able to recruit full-time drivers because when you sit down and do the math it doesn’t work out to full-time income.”
One way to add to your income is to team up with your spouse. Another is to get assignments where you take an RV in the opposite direction after you deliver the first, though that may not be easy to arrange. You’d probably be on your own for this and how many RVs are heading to Indiana?
If you are looking to break into this type of work, now would be a good time. Drivers who respond when the company has a backlog will be at the top of the list when deliveries aren’t as plentiful.
Jaimie Hall Bruzenak
Please add your comment below or email Jamie at calamityjaimie@gmail.comreprinted with permission
NHTSA Latest RV Recalls
March 6, 2010
by RV Business March 5, 2010 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued recall notices for the following products related to the recreational vehicle industry:- Certain (2009-2010) TrailManor travel trailers equipped with Carrier AIRV ceiling units, model Nos. 68RV0010BA, 68RV0012CA, and 68RV0010EA. The heater element in these assemblies may be defective which could cause the unit to create smoke or sparks.
- Certain (2010) Keystone RV Co. Fuzion travel trailers and fifth-wheels with the Touring Edition II package. The rear ramp door cable support bracket bolts may fail when the door is used in the patio position.
- Certain (2010) Jayco Inc. Insignia motorhomes built on Freightliner chassis with Kongsberg Power Products Systems adjustable brake pedals. The drive pin which secures the brake pedal arm to the balance of the assembly may become disengaged, this may cause a reduction in vehicle braking and/or cause the brake pedal to ove out of position and interfere with throttle pedal function.
- Certain (2010) Entegra Aspire motorhomes built on Freightliner chassis with Kongsberg Power Products Systems adjustable brake pedals. The drive pin which secures the brake pedal arm to the balance of the assembly may become disengaged, this may cause a reduction in vehicle braking and/or cause the brake pedal to move out of position and interfere with throttle pedal function.
- Certain (2008-2010) Keystone RV Co. Cougar and Laredo travel trailers and fifth-wheel vehicles. These vehicles have experienced a limited number of failures with its spare tire carriers
Earlier recalls issued:
- NHTSA Issues Latest RV-Related Recalls Listings
- NHTSA Issues RV-Related Product Recall List
- NHTSA Issues Latest RV-Related Recalls Listings
- NHTSA Issues Latest RV-Related Recalls List
- NHTSA Issues Latest RV-Related Recalls List
Would You Pay for Better Wi-FI?
March 6, 2010
by Jaimie Hall Bruzenakas appeared on RV Home Yet? March 5, 2010
RVers do often complain that the “free” Wi-Fi service is less than desirable. Service may not reach all parts of the park and, when it stops working, the owner cannot be found or may not rush to restore service. Some RVers do download large files, slowing the service down for everyone. An outside provider might respond more quickly, or at least that is the theory.
In your RV travels, would you be willing to pay for Wi-Fi access in an RV park or would you choose the park with free Wi-Fi? Or, does Wi-Fi access not matter? Possibly you have your own equipment like satellite Internet or an Aircard? Vote below and see how you stack up.
Would you pay for Wi-Fi in an RV park to have better service? trend
Jaimie Hall Bruzenak
Please add your comment below or email Jamie at calamityjaimie@gmail.comreprinted with permission
Chilean Campers & Post-Quake
March 3, 2010
March 3, 2010 by Woodall’s Campground Management As international aid began to arrive in Chile, emergency workers shifted the focus of recovery operations to the country’s coastline, where hundreds of people are feared to have been swept to sea and drowned after Saturday’s devastating earthquake, according to theage.com.The Chilean government confirmed that 795 people had been killed in the quake, and a further 2 million made homeless. But many more, including tourists camping on the coast, are thought to have been dragged into the Pacific Ocean by the 40-foot-high tsunami that followed.
Survivor accounts and statements from police suggest the tsunami death toll could be in the hundreds.
For many, the waves came without warning and in the fishing village of Constitucion alone, 353 people were killed.
Saturday’s massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck during the last weekend of the summer holiday, when coastal bars, nightclubs and camp grounds were packed.
The transient nature of tourists has further complicated efforts to track survivors and compile lists of the missing.
”The quake was so strong we could not even sit up in the tent,” said James Derek Lyles, who was camping in Puertocillo. ”Everything was destroyed. My pickup truck, which was parked near the beach, was ruined – full of crabs and seaweed.”
In the town of Pelluhue, the surge of water dragged away a bus containing a group of retirees who had tried to flee after residents raised the alarm. ”We ran through the highest part of town, yelling, ‘Get out of your homes!”’ said Claudio Escalona, 43, who fled his home near the campground with his wife and young daughters.
”About 20 minutes later came three waves, two huge, about six meters (about 20 feet) each, and a third even bigger. That one went into everything. You could hear the screams of children, women, everyone,” he said. ”There were screams, and then tremendous silence.”
Interesting RV Poll Results
March 2, 2010
by Mark PolkMark is a regular contributing author The outcome of any poll depends on several factors like; what type of poll it is, how the questions are worded, who is asking the questions and of course who does and does not participate in the poll.
Each week we conduct an RV poll in our e-newsletter (Mark’s RV University). The RV poll is not a scientific poll, a political poll or a marketing poll. It is basically used to give me some idea of what our newsletter readers are interested in, how they use their RVs and just for the fun of it. I thought it would be interesting to look back at some of our past RV polls and see how the participants responded.
Here’s what I found out.
- 85% travel with the refrigerator on and 15% travel with it off
- 53% prefer diesel and 47% prefer gas
- 79% eat more meals in the RV and 21% eat more meals out
- 89% conduct a spring check-up on their RV before using it and 11% don’t
- 67% said the recession won’t change plans to use the RV and 33% said it will
- 72% said their average RV trips are one week or less and 28% said their average RV trips are two weeks or longer
- 54% own motorized RV’s and 46% own towable RV’s
- 91% plan two or more summer RV trips and 9% plan only one
- 63% store the RV on their own property and 37% make other storage arrangements
- 82% check the tire pressure before each trip and 18% don’t
- 24% said a hybrid RV chassis would affect their buying decision and 76% said it wouldn’t have any affect
- 90% said they use environmentally friendly holding tank chemicals and 10% don’t
- 63% use their RV in the winter and 37% don’t
- 51% RV green and 49% don’t
- 100% have taken advantage of free overnight parking at one time or another
- 70% have stayed in a friends or relatives driveway before and 30% have not
- 77% were against the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations and 23% were not
- 86% are not fulltime RVers and 14% are
- 83% use a GPS in their RV and 17% don’t. Of those, 62% were led down the wrong path one time or another, but 93% would still recommend a GPS to other RV owners
- 81% were prepared for the digital TV switchover in their RV and 19% were not
- 19% frequently stay at state or federal campgrounds, 34% stay at private campgrounds, 5% stay at public campgrounds and 42% stay at a combination of all three
- 49% have experienced at least one tire blowout with their RV and 51% have not
- 81% have stayed in their RV during severe weather and 19% have not
- 70% have experienced rude behavior from other campers and 30% have not
- 67% use a pre-departure checklist when they RV and 33% don’t
- 98% have one or more slide outs on their RV and 2% don’t have any slide outs
- 60% shower in the RV more than the campground bath house and 40% shower in the bath house more than the RV
- 88% winterize their own RV and 12% have it winterized by an RV dealer
- 34% take bottled water with them, 14% use filtered water and 52% use both bottled & filtered water in their RV
- 92% take pets with them on RV trips and 8% don’t
- 59% wash their RV as needed, 30% wash it after each trip, 7% wash it before storing and 4% never wash it
- 71% pack as much food as possible before leaving and 29% buy groceries when they arrive at their destination
- 30% pre-cook meals before leaving and 70% don’t
- 30% traveled by RV last Thanksgiving, 36% traveled by car, 1% by plane and 33% stayed home
- 36% have weighed their RV and 64% have not
- 33% have used their RV as a guesthouse and 67% have not
- 84% have cleaned their RV roof at some point and 16% have never cleaned their RV roof
- 78% perform routine maintenance on their RV and 22% take it to a dealer for maintenance
- 72% have dry camped with their RV and 28% have not
- 81% have camped in a national or state park and 19% have not
- 31% have had problems with rodents in their RV and 69% have not
Happy Camping,
Mark
Mark Polk is founder of RV Education 101 and RV University
Gas To Go Over $3/Gallon
February 22, 2010
by Keith Bennett
The RV Travel Examiner
The U.S. Energy Information Administration has predicted that gas prices will continue to rise as we get closer to warm weather and that the $3 mark should be crossed in the spring and summer of this year. The demand remains very low in the U.S. but overall demand is up, mainly due to China. This continues to put upward pressure on the price of crude and therefore the price of gas.
RVers are very price sensitive to fuel costs and coupled with many state parks being closed for economic reasons; we predict that RVers will stay closer to home. The patterns may be very similar to 2009. The patterns may change if RV campgrounds increase rates to take advantage of fewer choices for RVers due to state park closures.
In informal chats with RVers the resistance point for a full hookup seems to get intense the closer the rate gets to $40 per night. Where is your resistance point for staying in a private RV campground if gas is at/above $3/gallon? Drop a comment with your thoughts.
Happy Camping
You may comment below or visit Keith’s site at The RV Travel Examiner for additional RV Travel articles.
Hosting Opportunities for RVers
February 10, 2010
by Jaimie Hall Bruzenakas appeared on RV Home Yet? February 10, 2010
The RV Daily Report notes that the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) is concerned that there is a shortage of trained hospitality employees to work and manage RV parks that now offer more amenities and live entertainment. Snowbird RV resorts in the Phoenix area regularly offer big-name entertainment plus have loads of activities and excursions planned for winter guests. Not all owners and managers have the experience to run RV parks and resorts at this level.
Linda Profaizer, president and CEO of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, says that parks struggle to find managers and support staff with the proper training and experience. She goes on to say, “Much of the hospitality industry does not even know that hospitality, entertainment and management job opportunities exist in the private park sector, which is why we’re trying to get the word out.”
ARVC is stepping up to the plate in several ways. They have a section at their Web site for national job listings. The have developed a fast track park management training program at The National School of RV Park & Campground Management, held in Wheeling, WV. They’ve also begun to develop park management and guest service training programs through local universities. The first one is being offered through Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.
This creates more paid opportunities for Workampers who are looking for management positions or work as activity directors. Those still needing to make a living might find this a good career with a chance to move from park to park. See ARVCs Education page for more information about the programs they offer.
Jaimie Hall Bruzenak
Please add your comment below or email Jamie at calamityjaimie@gmail.comreprinted with permission
Weird RV Sailboat
February 3, 2010
by Greg Gerberposted on RV D@ily Report February 3, 2010
CYBERSPACE – Chinese designer Weili Feng has developed an eco-friendly RV that doubles as a sailboat.
The Harmony is powered by hydrogen fuel cells, and can travel on land and on water. It’s a luxury yacht that can also make a perfect weekend getaway vehicle.
In addition to the hydrogen fuel cells, the Harmony also has a solar paddle that functions as a sail while collecting solar energy to help power the vehicle’s electrical needs.
The Harmony sleeps four and includes a toilet, kitchen and entertainment system.
Source: Weird RVs
You can email Greg at editor@rvdailyreport.com
reprinted with permission
Resurrection of Christ Movie
February 1, 2010
By Josh Kimball
as appeared on The Christian Post, January 19, 2001
And now, Easter 2011 looks to be when Jesus’ rise from the dead will be witnessed by people across America. (International release dates for “The Resurrection of the Christ,” meanwhile, are still waiting in the wings.)
According to weekly entertainment-trade magazine Variety, shooting for “The Resurrection of the Christ” is set to start in July with indie filmmaker Billy McKay producing, Jonas McCord directing, and Dan Gordon penning the screenplay, which is expected to focus on the power, greed and ambition of those involved in the crucifixion – Pontius Pilate, Herod, Caiaphas and Judas.
“It’s as much about the key players as it is about Jesus,” McKay told Variety. “We want to bring in the ‘Gladiator’ dimension of the first century against the political milieu of the time.”
McKay, who was one of three producers behind “Billy: The Early Years,” which told the story of evangelist Billy Graham’s rise to prominence, also said “Resurrection” will remain faithful to biblical and historical records.
The film is set to shoot in Israel, Morocco and Europe and will be distributed domestically through Samuel Goldwyn Films, which has been behind faith-based favorites such as “Amazing Grace” and “Fireproof” as well as upcoming movie “To Save a Life,” which hits theaters this Friday.
Notably, while Mel Gibson’s “Passion of the Christ” chalked up over $611 million worldwide in 2004, “Nativity Story” only picked up $46 million after its December 2006 release.
A production budget of $20 million has so far been planned for “Resurrection” – significantly less than was reported for “Passion” ($30 million) and “Nativity Story” ($35 million).
Easter next year falls on Apr. 24.
Winnebego Recalls 247 Motorhomes
January 27, 2010
by Greg Gerberposted on RV D@ily Report January 26, 2010
The motorhomes were manufactured between November 2006 and May 2009, and they were equipped with Konsberg Automotive adjustable brake pedals.
The adjustable brake pedal arm may loosen, which could allow the arm to rotate around its shaft and swing in front of the accelerator pedal, thus reducing braking function. A loose brake pedal increases the risk of a crash, NHTSA said.
Winnebago is working with Freightliner to notify owners, and repairs will be completed by Freightliner free of charge.
The recall is expected to begin this month. For more information, owners may call Daimler Trucks warranty campaigns department at (800) 647-0712.
source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration bulletin
You can email Greg at editor@rvdailyreport.com
reprinted with permission
Vancouver RV Site Filling
January 25, 2010
as appeared on RVBusiness
Vancouver, BC
Both parks are being made available for temporary RV use during the Winter Olympics, which begin Feb. 12 in Vancouver.
Commissioner Aaron Jasper says even though they haven’t been able to fill both locations with RVs, staff is still confident they will break even.
But he says making money wasn’t the main goal.
“The motivation was for us to do our part to help out with the logistics of the Olympics,” Jasper said. “I think it will still be a success, I think the folks that come down with their RVs will still find an enjoyable way to stay in Vancouver and have some of the infrastructure such as transportation that will take them in towards the city.”
Jasper says a large chunk of the reservations have come from Seattle.
-
Subscribe
-
Recent Posts
-
Archives
 |
Tell a Friend |
|
Share |